AutoWorld.com - David S

AutoWorld.com - At this year's Car Of The Year (COTY) award in Japan, MINI has scored highest among imported cars. Among 49 entries by 18 domestic and foreign automobile manufacturers MINI was placed fourth.

This year for the first time Japanese and imported cars were judged together. Also, competition was extremely tough because cars of different size, concept, and price were put against each other.

In the final the best 10 cars fought it out with the following result:

<img src="02images/news/2003bmwminiwinner2.jpg" alt="mini" height="127" width="170" align="left" border="0" />

1. Honda Accord: 348 pts.
2. Nissan Fairlady Z: 321 pts
3. Mazda Atenza: 217 pts
4. MINI: 182 pts
5. Merzedes Benz E class: 117 pts
6. VW Polo: 100 pts
7. Daihatsu Copen: 71 pts
8. Toyota Caldina: 48 pts
9. Opel Vectra: 41 pts
10. Range Rover: 30 pts

COTY is the most prestigious automobile award in Japan for already 23 years. An executive committee of thirty representatives from different media and publishing companies appoints 59 jurors. Among them are race/rally drivers, motor journalists, lifestyle journalists and public figures with interests in cars. Criteria for selecting the Car Of The Year are concept, design, performance, quality and value.

Furthermore, special awards for Most Advanced Technology, Most Fun and Best Value were presented.

The overall result of MINI being the best imported car underscores the tremendous success the MINI brand has received since its Japanese launch in March 2002.

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