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Philippine Car of the Year category winners revealed

By Vernon B. Sarne —   24 Mar 2011 Printer-Friendly Version

We have been wondering about the Philippine Car of the Year awards for some time now. Released annually by the Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI) and previously a very noisy event publicity-wise, the Philippine COTY seems to have lost steam the past couple of years, and we're left to guess if the motoring journalists behind it are still working to keep it alive. Our feeling of concern is all the more amplified by the fact that the incumbent CAGI president is our very own technical editor, Ferman Lao.

At last, Ferman has happily informed us that the Philippine COTY is alive and well, and that the 2010/2011 batch of winners is set to be formally presented at this year's Manila International Auto Show, scheduled on April 7 to 10 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. The list of awardees has already been cast in stone, but CAGI has kept it under wraps--until now, that is.

We bumped into Ferman today and we convinced him to divulge the category winners as well as the overall Philippine Car of the Year. He gave us the list but requested that the overall COTY winner be kept a secret until the opening day of MIAS. Here then is the roll of COTY winners. As a rule, the overall COTY is picked from the category winners, so have your say in the poll below.

The 2010/2011 Philippine Car of the Year category winners are: Ford Fiesta (subcompact car); Chevrolet Cruze (compact car); Hyundai Sonata (midsize car); Jaguar XF (premium midsize car); Subaru Impreza WRX STI Sedan (sports car); Kia Soul (subcompact crossover); Mitsubishi ASX (compact crossover 2WD); Hyundai Tucson (compact crossover 4WD); Hyundai Santa Fe (midsize crossover); Nissan Murano (premium crossover); Foton MPX (van/MPV); Toyota Alphard (premium van/MPV); Mitsubishi Montero Sport (midsize SUV); and Foton Blizzard (pickup).

Care to guess which one the overall Philippine Car of the Year is?

Which vehicle will be named 2010/2011 Philippine Car of the Year?

Tags: ASX, Car of the Year, Chevrolet, COTY, Cruze, Fiesta, Ford, Blizzard, Alphard, Foton
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  • rtvaldez67 Mar 24 2011 @ 06:13pm View all replies1 Report Abuse
       
    Foton Blizzard? best pick-up? aw cmon. you must be kidding.
  • Feeter Silverster Mar 24 2011 @ 06:46pm Report Abuse
       
    Foton? are you crazy?
  • warak1422 Mar 24 2011 @ 06:52pm Report Abuse
       
    FOTON????
    MAGLALAKAD NA LANG AKO
    O KAYA MAY MULTICAB NMN AKO SURE PA KAHIT 2ND HAND
    SIGURADO MAY PABAON TONG CAGI MEMBERS/JURORS
    Last modified Mar 24 2011 @ 06:53pm
  • mts Mar 24 2011 @ 07:10pm Report Abuse
       
    Foton Blizzard is a good pick up. But if it won the best pick up, I agree with the 3 comments above. :) For the vote, I accidentally voted for Montero, but my vote goes to Sta. Fe. ^_^
  • HKB Mar 24 2011 @ 08:44pm Report Abuse
       
    ha ha ha FOTON? Mag Great Wall na lang ako....(purp pariho lang yan) sama pa ang GMC pickup.....hahaha
  • mon7410 Mar 24 2011 @ 08:51pm Report Abuse
       
    Foton Blizzard best pickup?????

    mas maganda pa ata yung 2003 ranger ko dun?

    HOW?
  • jetski Mar 24 2011 @ 09:36pm Report Abuse
       
    what FOTON Blizzar & MPX??? an insult to originals like the Isuzu & Toyota...
  • shintoy117 Mar 24 2011 @ 10:48pm Report Abuse
       
    shocking results.. :-D
  • legaity Mar 24 2011 @ 10:54pm Report Abuse
       
    The Foton Blizzard has been generally received well in its few reviews (look it up) and I think its main selling point is its back-to-basics features and form coupled with its expected low price point. "Value-for-money" kumbaga. You should not judge it so quickly just because it's a Chinese brand or the word Foton sounds new to you or you own a Japanese pick-up truck. :p
    Voted for Tucson btw
    Last modified Mar 24 2011 @ 10:55pm
  • dominic Mar 24 2011 @ 10:59pm Report Abuse
       
    Value for money. At siguro reliability din ang naging basehan nila sa blizzard, just ask MMDA! Hehe
  • GBfive Mar 24 2011 @ 11:37pm Report Abuse
       
    what the f.....oton!
  • maranello_5775 Mar 24 2011 @ 11:59pm Report Abuse
       
    Don't knock it till you've tried it :)
  • enzo2301 Mar 25 2011 @ 12:09am Report Abuse
       
    walang honda???
  • jabroni Mar 25 2011 @ 02:29am Report Abuse
       
    i smell something fishy, kaya hindi ako naniniwala sa mga ganitong car awards lalo na dito sa pinas.
  • redcat Mar 25 2011 @ 09:19am Report Abuse
       
    boooo0000!!!
  • nicologarcia Mar 25 2011 @ 10:51am Report Abuse
       
    It could be the Fiesta (Most probably), Tucson, or the Montero Sport. :)
  • red.santiago Mar 25 2011 @ 12:08pm Report Abuse
       
    Rode in a Foton Blizzard and for the category, it gets the job done decently. Aircon's cool, tough construction, it even automatically closes open windows when you lock it using the keyless entry remote. Badge aside, that truck is feature-packed considering it's price.

    The CAGI subjects the vehicles in "real-world" tests so it's has nothing to do with text votes (so no rigged results here driven by fanboys).

    Some reactions here just show what's inside a typical Pinoy's mind. Badge over real-world performance and quality. Time to junk those "This brand is the best because of this" thinking. Even though it makes me throw-up, I'd have to agree with the results. CAGI is a very reputable group naman.

    Voted for the Fiesta though. Man that car's selling like hotcakes.
  • Theognosis Mar 25 2011 @ 12:57pm Report Abuse
       
    @enzo231 Hahaha...You can't blame the media because HCPI does very little advertising in their publications! No financial support, no glory.

    @red.santiago And you're the typical consumer who believes in media hype. I'm sorry but Honda and Toyota built their reputations of quality and reliability OVER MANY, MANY YEARS and that has won the hearts and pockets of many filipinos. That can't be said of Ford, Hyundai and Kia. Give their current line-up 6-10 years to prove their quality and resale value, then maybe we can talk; otherwise, this COFTY is all media hype.
  • Theognosis Mar 25 2011 @ 01:14pm Report Abuse
       
    And by the way, testing a car for a couple of hours in a race track with cones is not exactly "real-world performance and quality". Real world driving in the Philippines is all about over-heating in traffic jams, availability of spare parts, cost of repairs/maintenance, after-sales support, potholes, social status, etc.
  • vbsarne Mar 25 2011 @ 01:32pm Report Abuse
       
    In fairness to CAGI, I think only new cars qualify for the awards (which is why it's called Car of the Year). As far as I know, Honda didn't have new cars last year. Hence, the absence of the brand in the list of winners.
  • Ronald_Malicdem Mar 25 2011 @ 02:11pm Report Abuse
       
    Wow!!! CHEVROLET CRUZE won the CAR OF THE YEAR for Compact Sedan Category!!! Love this Chevy! =)
  • Ronald_Malicdem Mar 25 2011 @ 02:14pm Report Abuse
       
    Wow!!! CHEVROLET CRUZE won the CAR OF THE YEAR for Compact Sedan Category!!! Love this Chevy! =)
    Last modified Mar 25 2011 @ 02:14pm
  • Theognosis Mar 25 2011 @ 02:26pm Report Abuse
       
    If it's just for new cars as in all-new and not merely variants and facelifts, then it should be renamed "Rookie Car of the Year".
  • tidus1203 Mar 25 2011 @ 02:50pm Report Abuse
       
    Mukang di ata nanalo mga manok nila a... Its just an award for crying out loud... No need to be too defensive and skeptical...
  • Sean Mar 25 2011 @ 04:45pm Report Abuse
       
    I agree Sir tidus1203, basta tayo manalo matalo tuloy ang Fiesta!..... or Sta Fe for you..... I know you own both.....
  • carloscalderon Mar 25 2011 @ 04:55pm Report Abuse
       
    fiesta for the subcompact? you gotta be shittin me!
  • schumy Mar 25 2011 @ 08:58pm Report Abuse
       
    I still can't believe Foton... what vehicles were they up against anyway? Could they have competed against just other Chinese brands too?
  • allenrock12 Mar 25 2011 @ 10:11pm Report Abuse
       
    best pick-up? foton? kakainin ng dmax yan eh...tsk3x wats wrong with the world? durability wise maraming foton blizzard ngayon na parang disabled na ang mukha.
  • dtkiko Mar 26 2011 @ 01:03am Report Abuse
       
    Mukhang maraming may gusto sa Ford Fiesta for Car of the Year Award.... i voted for Hyundai Santa Fe pa naman.

    Ford Fiesta? ---- noteworthy naman if it wins! No complaints haha!

    On our current pickups: ONLY if i were to choose ahihi.... the 3-litre Toyota Hilux D4-D would be my choice! ---- it doesn't make the most power at 163 ps and it does not have the highest peak torque numbers at 343 Nm, but it got one of the widest in the class, i.e. from 1400 rpm to 3200 rpm (next only to 3-litre DMax Ddi-iTEQ's 1400 rpm to 3400 rpm but only providing 294 Nm torque), which make the Hilux "arguably" the best in the class.... in my opinion lang ahihi ahoho....

    Besides the 3-litre Hilux D4-D is also one of the frugal-diesel sippers, again, next to the 3-litre Isuzu DMax Ddi-iTEQ; the DMax, however, by paper specs is underpowered amongst all 3-litre at 146 ps, NO CONTEST ahihi....
    Last modified Mar 26 2011 @ 01:06am
  • barry Mar 26 2011 @ 11:25am Report Abuse
       
    fiesta. sigurado na ako jan...
  • gvm0116 Mar 26 2011 @ 04:40pm Report Abuse
       
    This is in relation to VBSarne's line. What company, aside from Foton, released a new pick-up this or say... last year? The D-max, Hi-lux, Frontier and Strada have been around for quite some time as far as I can remember. So that leaves with Foton being the only (as far as I can work out) manufacturer that entered the pick-up segment. But of course, I could be very wrong. However, I still firmly believe that the aforementioned Japanese 4 are still much, much better than the bLizzard.

    @red.santiago - I am sort of with you as regards brand biases... However, when it comes to "real-world performance and quality", are you saying that the Foton is better than the hi-lux, D-max, Frontier and Strada? Quality-wise, the plastics used in the Blizzard feels rough and brittle. The only reason why it is cheap as compared to others because it is cheap. It's still using an old engine technology, "smokey" exhaust, noisy cabin. Need I say more? It is tough, i know, because it is based on an old Isuzu, the Fuego, a very good pick-up for the nineties. But we're now in 2011. Make no mistake, the Blizzard is a good Chinese product (I have driven one for several times), but c'mon, it's still nowhere near as good as the others from Japan. Lastly, CAGI may be a reputable group, but that does not mean that the followers of this website are any less credible.
  • dominic Mar 26 2011 @ 08:06pm Report Abuse
       
    @gvm0116 may tama ka jan sir
  • mts Mar 27 2011 @ 09:59am Report Abuse
       
    I agree with gvm0116. Only, its a bit ironic to say that its a new pick-up released by Foton knowing it's still using an old engine technology. :) But, again, I agree, Its a good Chinese product.
  • dtkiko Mar 27 2011 @ 02:10pm Report Abuse
       
    Gentlemen, not bagging off Chinese, but it is JUST my honest opinion that Japanese are far the most honourable people in the world....
    ....At any given day, i will always take a Japanese product over a Chinese one where the occasion of making a hard choice like a "push-comes-to-shove" scenario does not even need to apply....

    One can always approve/ guarantee a Japanese product even without him thinking ---- simply, a no-brainer!
    Last modified Mar 27 2011 @ 02:13pm
  • dominic Mar 27 2011 @ 05:39pm Report Abuse
       
    Ford vs. Chevy, Hyundai vs. Mitsubishi! Mukhang panalo na ata fiesta ah
  • mts Mar 27 2011 @ 10:52pm Report Abuse
       
    Generally here in the Phil., Japanese brands are better compared to Chinese brands. But in the US or China, its a different story - China products there are far better than the Chinese products here. We are in the 3rd world country. So, personally, I disagree if you are referring to general Chinese products. :)

    But we are in TGP site meaning we are referring to automobiles. So, personally, I agree on that one sir. Just my opinion.
  • tarajing Mar 27 2011 @ 11:10pm Report Abuse
       
    cruze tayo!!!
  • restygordon Apr 06 2011 @ 02:00pm Report Abuse
       
    Joke:
    tidus1203 Says: Mukang di ata nanalo mga manok nila a... Its just an award for crying out loud... No need to be too defensive and skeptical...
    Me: Asa ka pa!!!
  • Resty_Gordon Apr 06 2011 @ 08:17pm Report Abuse
       
    Awwwwww! Someone is trying to copy me? What a desperate move. Grow up and have a life, futres!
  • fedz71 Apr 07 2011 @ 12:05am Report Abuse
       
    FTW chevy cruze!
  • FD_Man Apr 08 2011 @ 01:56pm Report Abuse
       
    can we know the series of tests that CAGI used to determine the winners and who are the contenders for each segment?
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