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AJAC Announces 2005 Canadian Car of the Year Award Winners
Twelve 2005 Canadian Car of the Year Award category winners were announced today by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) during a press conference at the Holiday Inn Select Airport in Toronto, Ontario.
The Canadian Car of the Year (CCOTY) Awards are an annual AJAC event that have a significant influence on Canadian consumers. Survey results of previous Car of the Year buyers determined almost 70% (69.6 %) were influenced to purchase their car because it was chosen the "Canadian Car of the Year".
This year’s category winners represent the best among an excellent group of new cars and trucks for 2005, as selected by a professional group of automotive experts who test drive, and report on, new vehicles in various media.
Every year, this group of automotive experts, meet at Shannonville Motorsport Park near Belleville, Ontario, for a four-day automotive "TestFest" based on "real-world" back-to-back testing to select the best new vehicles in various categories as well as an overall Car of the Year and Truck of the Year. A "Best New Technology" award and the "Best New Design" award are also chosen.
Unlike American or European car awards, our Canadian program follows a sophisticated and rigorous testing process. To quote Car of the Year Director Laurance Yap, "A record number of 64 vehicle entries were performance-tested for acceleration, braking and passing times, at least four times each. In addition, journalists were running an average of 10 driving loops a day during team and individual testing over the 4 day period."
The 2005 category winners are:
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Best New Economy Car:
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Kia Spectra Sedan LX |
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Best New Family Car:
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Mazda 6 Sport |
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Best New Luxury Car:
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Chrysler 300 C |
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Best New Sport Utility Vehicle:
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BMW X3 3.01i |
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Best New Crossover:
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Hyundai Tucson |
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Best New Sport Compact:
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Volvo S40 |
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Best New Sports/Performance Car:
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Ford Mustang |
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Best New Minivan:
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Honda Odyssey |
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Best New Station Wagon:
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Mazda 6 Sport Wagon |
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Best New Pick-up:
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Toyota Tacoma |
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Best New Convertible:
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Mercedes-Benz SLK 350 |
| Best New Alternative Power: |
Honda Accord Hybrid |
The overall Canadian Car and Truck of the Year will be announced on February 16th, 2005 in conjunction with the official opening of the 2005 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, Ontario. The Best New Design and Best New Technology winners will also be declared at that time.
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