Women’s World Car of the Year jurors travel to Paris to present Peugeot with their Supreme Winner award – Executive President Marta Garcia hails it as an historic moment
Peugeot boss Linda Jackson says the award is proof Peugeot is going in the right direction.
Peugeot invites jurors to an exclusive reveal of a new model
Ten journalists from Women’s World Car of the Year travelled to Paris to present their ultimate accolade to Peugeot boss Linda Jackson in what WWCOTY Executive President Marta Garcia described as an ‘historic moment’.
Peugeot’s new 308 took top honours this year in WWCOTY when it fought off competition from 65 other cars worldwide to be named Supreme Winner. The culmination of a year of testing, assessing and voting on scores of cars from across the globe came at an intimate awards ceremony in the French capital when Jackson accepted the trophy on behalf of Peugeot.
WWCOTY Executive President, Garcia said: “This is an historic moment because it is the first time in the thirteen years history of WWCOTY that the Supreme Winner is awarded to a company led by a woman. But that’s not why the WWCOTY is in Paris. It’s because the 308 has been voted the best car in the world by women motoring journalists from five continents. The Peugeot 308 is a global and down-to-earth car – a vehicle that meets the needs of buyers from young people to families to veteran drivers.”
Jackson replied: “This award is a source of great pride for the entire Peugeot team and it nurtures our motivation for all our future endeavours: we see that our efforts pay off.
“Indeed, it is a double honour to receive this award. “It is first and foremost the honour of having the brand Peugeot recognised by international journalists who are true, genuine automotive experts. And it is the honour of being recognised by a jury of all-female journalists. I am delighted to see that women play a more and more important role in our industry. Thanks to this type of award, we know that we are moving in the right direction.”
The ten were representing the jury of almost 60 women motoring writers from more than 40 countries who had taken part in the voting first on a long list and then on a shortlist from which the 308 ultimately snatched victory after having been judged on safety, quality, price design, ease of driving and environmental footprint.
Following the ceremony, the panel from WWCOTY were invited to Peugeot’s Design Studio at Velizy just outside Paris for the first glimpse of a new completely redesigned model that will be unveiled to the general public in June.
Cars eligible for this global award must be sold on at least two continents although they may have different names. All votes are verified by accountants Grant Thornton.
The WWCOTY Trophy
The distinctive trophy was designed by Spaniard Scarleth Martinez Garrido. It is made up of a wooden plinth with an inscription marking Peugeot’s win. The metal plaque above has been created by the artist to simulate an engine part and is stamped through with the WWCOTY logo.
What the Jurors said:
– Maggie Barry, Scotland: “As soon as I got in I was impressed by the smoothness of the 308 and it just got better from there. It looks good, it feels good and it drives beautifully. Style and function in a great package.”
– Ilaria Salzano, Italy: “Peugeot once again shows there is no need to be a premium brand to have a quality product. The 308 is a car that meets the needs of the modern customer in terms of driving excitement, technology and connectivity.”
– Odiel Mennink, The Netherlands: “You can feel that Peugeot has thought about the best driving position for the driver. This is a car in which you can and want to be seen in. The clean and modern lines are progressive and sensual.”
– Solveig Grewe, Germany: “The Peugeot 308 is not only visually appealing but it is also generous with innovative technology and is more than competitively priced. Its contemporary range of powertrains includes a plug-in hybrid and the French have announced a pure electric version for next year.”
– Carla Ribeiro, Portugal: “Peugeot has in the 308 put together a formula which will not only tempt families but also customers with different needs. It is well balanced even when you are hard on the accelerator. Shortcut buttons allow you to navigate through the system without taking your eyes off the road.”
– Sabrina Parant, Belgium: “Peugeot shows that it knows how to combine its expertise with new technologies to boldly take its place in a highly competitive segment. The Peugeot 308 is attractive on all fronts.”
– Melina Priam, France: “The 308 is one of the most beautiful compact cars to drive and its interior brings a fresh breath of modernity to the segment.”
– Sabina Kvasova, Czech Republic: “The third generation of the Peugeot 308 is a very distinctive hatchback with a beautifully sophisticated design. It deserves the WWCOTY trophy thanks to the great combination of excellent driving characteristics, impressive looks quality workmanship and an army of safety systems.”
– Sara Soria, Spain: “The Peugeot 308 comes as an estate or a compact five door car with 21st century looks, a modern cabin, extensive technology and safety equipment. It comes with a wide range of engines including two plug-in hybrids and in 2023, an electric version – a well-balanced car for everyone.”
Previous winners:
2021 Land Rover Defender
2020 Mazda3
2018 Volvo XC40
2017 Hyundai Ioniq
2016 Jaguar F-Pace
2015 Volvo XC90
2014 Mercedes-Benz S Class
2013 Ford Fiesta
2012 Range Rover Evoque
2011 BMW Series 5 and Citroen DS 3
About Women’s World Car of the Year
Women’s World Car of the Year is the only car awards group in the world comprised exclusively of women motoring journalists. It was created by New Zealand motoring journalist, Sandy Myhre, in 2009. She is currently Honorary President while Marta García performs as Executive President.
The aim of this unique award is to recognise the best cars of the year and to give a voice to women in the automotive world. The voting criteria is based on the same principles that guide any driver when choosing a car. The selections are not ‘woman’s car’ because such categories do not exist. Aspects such as safety, quality, price, design, ease of driving, benefits and environmental footprint, among others, are taken into account when casting the votes.
However, beyond choosing the best cars of the year, our goal is also to give visibility to women in the automotive world, and to contribute to making women’s voices heard on all continents because mobility for a woman means access to many personal and professional possibilities.
