Industry Report: AJAC Announces 2005 Canadian Car of the Year Category Winners

Just why Mazda's MazdaSpeed MX5 Miata was entered in the sport compact category and not here in the "Best New Convertible" segment

Honda took first place in the "Best New Alternative Power" category with its new Accord Hybrid. (Photo: Honda Canada)

is anyone's guess. Just the same the Mercedes-Benz SLK 350 took top honors, dispensing with the Audi S4 Cabriolet, Chevrolet Corvette, Chrysler PT Touring Convertible, MINI Cooper S Convertible, Saab 9-3 convertible, and Toyota Solara convertible. Interestingly, the only vehicle vying for this title which was all-new, and not a convertible version of an existing hardtop coupe or sedan was the Corvette.

The final category in the 2005 AJAC awards is for the vehicle sporting the "Best New Alternative Power". Honda took first place with its new Accord Hybrid, beating out the Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Jeep Liberty Diesel and Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI, also a diesel. There was no such category in 2004, which would make a direct match up with Toyota's Prius an interesting bout. The Toyota offers a full-hybrid system, unlike the Honda, similar to Ford's new Escape Hybrid.

There were a record 64 vehicle entries in the 2005 AJAC Car of the Year awards, up from 60 last year. The overall Canadian Car and Truck of the Year will be announced on February 16th, 2005, during 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 announced at that time.