The Best of the Best of the Best?
I am a proud member of the Automobile Journalist Association of Canada and have been for 5 years. At the time, after nearly 7 years of test driving new cars, I thought it a good move to join an order of professionals to elevate my status in the industry.
In time, I personally found that being a member brings limited advantages especially as I am not freelance; quite frankly, other than my press card and access to some brands (which I suspect I could still get even if I was no longer a member), the only other bonus is Test Fest. This is the annual Canadian gathering of all cars new or significantly improved. Here, invited journalists vote on the best cars in each of the categories from which the best new car and utility vehicle will be picked.
I'll spare you all the details and potential inconsistencies about this process and repeat that I am a proud member of AJAC. Irregardless of that, much work goes into planning this event and I am always grateful to those that do all the hard work.
Yesterday, I read Michael Banovsky's piece on why he doesn't care about car of the year awards. In typical Banovsky style, I was entertained and he didn't beat around the bush; I found myself nodding many times throughout the read. He does make valid points however, and this may be over-simplified but, that's just the way it is: When the trophy reads: “Best New Family Car Over $30,000”, it all depends on your interpretation of what “New” is. In the AJAC's case, it's “New for this year”, not “New amongst all available new cars you can purchase at dealerships”. That's it. Use the award as a yardstick.
As for the Canadian Automotive Jury, their goal is also to guide potential buyers towards the best product. Unbeknownst to each other, last year both groups, they and we, thought that more awards were a good idea (perhaps not...). The main difference between the two is that we do not discredit AJAC and their Canadian Car Of The Year as we find that there is room for everyone, so long as we all serve the same purpose.
And here we are. Auto123.com. Your friendly neighbourhood Canada-wide car-loving website. I feel like I'm about to give away our secrets... Hell, for those that haven't figured it out, here's how it works:
Auto123.com has 10 auto writers across Canada who vote: 2 women, 8 men (a better average than most outlets). Throughout the year, combined as a group, we test drive well over 500 cars. Yes, there are many repeats but as a whole, we drive just about everything new this side of a Lamborghini Gallardo and Aston Martin DB9. This sums up our definition of “New”: All New cars available to the buying public within set categories.
Starting to see the big picture? For example, our Compact Car category has over 20 entries. Last year, the Mazda3 won. This year, the 3 could win again depending on the quality of the competition for this model year. The best “New” car in the category wins...
By the way, if a car builder wants to utilize our Award for its advertising intents, we do not sell the rights for its use. Essentially, and with our blessings, manufacturers can mention it for free. Zilch. No money down. Furthermore, we pay for our own event, we fly all of our contributors to our award ceremony in Toronto at our own expense and we also foot the bill for the trophies, and the manufacturers get to keep them. The only cost to the carmakers arises if and when they should want copies of the trophies. We have them made and pass on the cost to the manufacturers, without making a profit.
Admittedly, there are some flaws in our system but we know it and are up-front about it. Some categories mix cars that cost as little as $25,000 with others that retails for four times as much, so cross-shopping does not always apply. Conscientiously, much like AJAC, we have to make concessions otherwise there would be 50+ categories to vote on and nobody wants to sit through a five-hour long presentation.
Also, we do not award a New Car or Utility Vehicle Of The Year. This avoids putting certain vehicles, such as low-volume high-priced-irrelevant-to-99.9%-of-the-buying-public ones, on a pedestal.
The bottom line is that all manufacturers have to do is provide us with press vehicles to review, as they have been for years. We want no money and make no special demands, especially in the worst of times (some of you out there will understand).
So there you have it! Nobody's perfect, but I think we offer up one of the best recipes that genially serves you, the consumer, as well as giving the manufacturers a pat on the back when they get things right.
Our Awards ceremony will be held in Toronto on November 25th.
I am a proud member of the Automobile Journalist Association of Canada and have been for 5 years. At the time, after nearly 7 years of test driving new cars, I thought it a good move to join an order of professionals to elevate my status in the industry.
In time, I personally found that being a member brings limited advantages especially as I am not freelance; quite frankly, other than my press card and access to some brands (which I suspect I could still get even if I was no longer a member), the only other bonus is Test Fest. This is the annual Canadian gathering of all cars new or significantly improved. Here, invited journalists vote on the best cars in each of the categories from which the best new car and utility vehicle will be picked.
 |
| Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com |
I'll spare you all the details and potential inconsistencies about this process and repeat that I am a proud member of AJAC. Irregardless of that, much work goes into planning this event and I am always grateful to those that do all the hard work.
Yesterday, I read Michael Banovsky's piece on why he doesn't care about car of the year awards. In typical Banovsky style, I was entertained and he didn't beat around the bush; I found myself nodding many times throughout the read. He does make valid points however, and this may be over-simplified but, that's just the way it is: When the trophy reads: “Best New Family Car Over $30,000”, it all depends on your interpretation of what “New” is. In the AJAC's case, it's “New for this year”, not “New amongst all available new cars you can purchase at dealerships”. That's it. Use the award as a yardstick.
As for the Canadian Automotive Jury, their goal is also to guide potential buyers towards the best product. Unbeknownst to each other, last year both groups, they and we, thought that more awards were a good idea (perhaps not...). The main difference between the two is that we do not discredit AJAC and their Canadian Car Of The Year as we find that there is room for everyone, so long as we all serve the same purpose.
 |
| Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com |
Auto123.com has 10 auto writers across Canada who vote: 2 women, 8 men (a better average than most outlets). Throughout the year, combined as a group, we test drive well over 500 cars. Yes, there are many repeats but as a whole, we drive just about everything new this side of a Lamborghini Gallardo and Aston Martin DB9. This sums up our definition of “New”: All New cars available to the buying public within set categories.
Starting to see the big picture? For example, our Compact Car category has over 20 entries. Last year, the Mazda3 won. This year, the 3 could win again depending on the quality of the competition for this model year. The best “New” car in the category wins...
By the way, if a car builder wants to utilize our Award for its advertising intents, we do not sell the rights for its use. Essentially, and with our blessings, manufacturers can mention it for free. Zilch. No money down. Furthermore, we pay for our own event, we fly all of our contributors to our award ceremony in Toronto at our own expense and we also foot the bill for the trophies, and the manufacturers get to keep them. The only cost to the carmakers arises if and when they should want copies of the trophies. We have them made and pass on the cost to the manufacturers, without making a profit.
Admittedly, there are some flaws in our system but we know it and are up-front about it. Some categories mix cars that cost as little as $25,000 with others that retails for four times as much, so cross-shopping does not always apply. Conscientiously, much like AJAC, we have to make concessions otherwise there would be 50+ categories to vote on and nobody wants to sit through a five-hour long presentation.
Also, we do not award a New Car or Utility Vehicle Of The Year. This avoids putting certain vehicles, such as low-volume high-priced-irrelevant-to-99.9%-of-the-buying-public ones, on a pedestal.
The bottom line is that all manufacturers have to do is provide us with press vehicles to review, as they have been for years. We want no money and make no special demands, especially in the worst of times (some of you out there will understand).
So there you have it! Nobody's perfect, but I think we offer up one of the best recipes that genially serves you, the consumer, as well as giving the manufacturers a pat on the back when they get things right.
Our Awards ceremony will be held in Toronto on November 25th.