Honda, Hyundai, Porsche up for top car
Recent Detroit winner, 2013 Cadillac ATS, on AJAC awards list
The Montreal International Auto Show opens this weekend and at the media preview Thursday, the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada announced the three finalists for Canadian Car of the Year.
Late last year, 80 members of the AJAC, including the Toronto Star Wheels team, took to the roads around Niagara-on-the-Lake to pass judgment on 180 new vehicles. The top finalists:
2013 Canadian Car of the Year: Honda Accord Sedan Hyundai Elantra GT Porsche Boxster 2013 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year: Ford Escape 1.6 L EcoBoost Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T
2013 Best New Design: Cadillac ATS Porsche 911 Carrera S Porsche Boxster The Wheels crew will be on hand to report the overall winners when they are announced on Feb.14 at the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto.
NISSAN PLANS SPORTY NEW COUPE
Fans of the Nissan brand have hoped for a small, affordable coupe to fill the gap that was once occupied by the 240SX. Nissan exec- utive vice president Andy Palmer announced in Detroit that a concept for a small sports car would appear within the next year.
In recent years, Nissan has taken some design chances with vehicles like the Cube and Juke. Palmer indicated that the new entry-level car would follow that trend, adding, “It’s like Marmite, You’ll love it or hate it.” The car will slot into the lineup beneath the 370Z and GT-R and will most likely feature a hybrid drivetrain.
DENSO TO INVEST $1B IN NORTH AMERICA
Auto parts manufacturing giant Denso announced an investment of $1billion into their North American plants over the next four years at the North American International Auto Show. The investment is expected to create more than 2,000 manufacturing jobs on this continent. While specifics were noted for U.S. facilities, there was no mention of the Guelph, Ont., plant. Denso representative Bridgette LaRose said, “Details for our Canadian facility have not been finalized yet.”
STYLE TOPS RELIABILITY IN CHOOSING NEW CAR
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2013 Avoider Study measures the reasons that consumers avoid certain models. A vehicle’s reputation for reliability is becoming less important to potential buyers, while style and fuel economy are the top factors in the decision-making process. “Improved actual and perceived reliability has levelled the playing field, allowing many manufacturers to be considered among new-vehicle shoppers that may not have been considered in the past,” says research director Jon Osborn.
CADILLAC ELR WINS AWARD FOR BEST PRODUCTION CAR
On Tuesday, the Cadillac ELR was awarded with the prestigious Eyes on Design Award for the best production car. The awards honour the best production and concept cars unveiled at North American International Auto Show, and are judged by respected heads of design from auto original equipment manufacturers, art schools and other industries. The award for best concept car was voted as a tie between the Nissan Resonance and the Ford Atlas. Both of those vehicles are significant as they point directly to the future of the Nissan Murano and Ford F-150.