Autobest Jury decided the final list of AUTOBEST 2006
The final vote will be operated by end November 2005
(October 13-th, 2005)
Chevrolet Matiz / Spark, Suzuki Swift, Ford Focus II, Kia Rio and Renault Clio III were selected for the final list of AUTOBEST 2006 competition. Last year, Dacia Logan was granted the AUTOBEST 2005 award, winning in front of cars as the new Skoda Octavia and Opel Astra. The final vote for this year’s competition will be announced in the first decade of December 2005.
Starting with September 1, 2005, Autobest among Emerging Markets expanded with one more member country, Slovenia. Thus a small country, Slovenia, European Union member, has its own importance, as well as a very relevant car market. By accepting Slovenia, Autobest expands its presence in Europe, enlarging its relevancy for the emerging markets.
Mr. Ziga Colja represents Slovenia in Autobest Jury, and already started his mission by participating in the voting of the five finalists for Autobest 2006. Ziga Colja has been involved with automotive journalism for the past ten years. Nevertheless he still is one of the youngest in the industry.
He hosts his own automotive programme on National Televison of Slovenia and co-creates an automotive programme on the largest Cable TV in the country. Furthermore, he contributes to dozens of printed media in Slovenia and other countries worldwide. At the age of 28, Ziga Colja recognizes many opportunities, “one of them is supporting the AutoBest decisions on voting winner vehicles on annual basis”. This new membership acceptance proves Autobest’s philosophy of expanding in all relevant emerging markets.
In the next couple of weeks, Autobest Jury shall announce the other Autobest awards for 2005 (MediaBest, DesignBest, SafetyBest etc.).
AUTOBEST organization is the only internationalindependent jury focusing on the emerging markets countries. To become an AUTOBEST winner, a car must be the best offer for the average customer in the region. Price, service network, spare parts distribution and versatility are the most important criteria in the voting process. Design and new high-tech gadgets are coming on a second place as importance. AUTOBEST is using a complex matrix of 13 criteria in deciding the winner.
The AUTOBEST Jury is also paying attention to the efforts that automotive industry is making. Investments, new work opportunities for the population, spending funds for ecological initiatives, the support for the emerging regions of Europe are carefully checked and appreciated by the Jury.
For this year, AUTOBEST members of the Jury are coming from 12 countries in the region and represent a virtual market with more than 200 million people. Each member of the Jury is an outstanding motoring journalist, a respected voice in his country. AUTOBEST is the second largest independent motoring Jury of Europe.