New Volvo SUV wins Japan Car of the year title

Wednesday, 13 December 2017

The Volvo XC60, named Japan's Car of the Year for 2018.

Volvo's new XC60 has just been named the 2018 Japan Car of the Year.

But it was close. In a vote-counting ceremony that saw the lead change three times between the Volvo, BMW 5-Series and Toyota Camry, the Swedish crossover pulled away in the closing moments to poll 294 votes and clinch the title.

Accepting the trophy in front of 60 Car of the Year jurors and over 200 industry colleagues, Volvo Japan CEO Takayuki Kimura said this was the first time in Japan COTY's 38-year history that Volvo has won an award.

'To be honest, I would have been happy with the Import Car of the Year. But to come away with the overall Japan Car of the Year is totally unexpected and sincerely humbling. I dedicate this award to the 100 dealers and 1400 staff across the nation.'

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The Suzuki Swift finished in fourth place, ahead of the Honda N-Box, Lexus LC, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Mazda CX-5, Citroen C3 and VW Tiguan.

In the special award categories, Toyota picked up a hat-trick of trophies; one for Best Innovation for its Prius PHEV while the Lexus LC captured the Emotional Award. Toyota also picked up the COTY steering committee's Special Achievement Award for the brand's 10 millionth hybrid sale.