Volkswagen Golf Scoops Car Of The Year 2013

Volkswagen Golf is elected Car of the Year 2013 with 414 points at the Geneva Car Show.

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (REUTERS) - The Volkswagen Golf was declared the winner of the Car of the Year award at the Geneva Car Show on Monday (March 4).

Director of the jury Hakan Matson made the announcement during a news conference in the Swiss city.

The day before the two press days of the car show, the model was voted Car of the Year 2013 with 414 points.Volkswagen had already won this most important prize in the automotive field in 2012.

"This is a big honour to get this prize and thank you very much also to the competent members of the jury. We are very satisfied, it's a big moment and I have to say, I'm a little bit proud of that. Thank you very much," Technical Development Chief at VolkswagenUlrich Hackenberg said after the announcement.

In December, the selection committee chose eight cars, Ford B-max, Hyundai i30, Mercedes A-Class, Peugeot 208, Renault Clio, Subary BRZ/Toyota GT86, Volvo V40 andVolkswagen Golf from 32 eligible new models.

The second place went to Toyota which received 202 points.

This is the second time in its 50-year history that the Car of the Year has been announced at the Geneva Motor Show.

The selection committee for the award is composed of 59 journalists from 23 countries. Each year they vote to decide on the most exceptional car from all those launched on the European market the year before the election. To be eligible, the model must have targeted annual sales of at least 5,000 units.

The Geneva International Motor Show will open its doors to the public on March 7 and runs until March 17, 2013.