The Volkswagen-Audi Group won three of the four categories in the 2010 World Car of the Year awards announced at the New York Motor Show over the weekend.
The 59 judges from 25 countries, [Ed: including Carsales Network contributor and writer of this article, Joshua Dowling], voted the most significant car of the year to be the new generation Volkswagen Polo, which is due on sale locally in May. It is the second victory in a row for VW, whose Golf hatch picked up the 2009 WCOTY award.
"We're honoured that the Volkswagen Polo was chosen," said Prof Dr Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG.
"After the great triumph of the Golf last year, we are delighted to repeat this success with the new Polo. These automobiles have reaped numerous awards, winning [almost] every prize the automotive industry has to award."
He added: "This shows Volkswagen is on the right track and [has] arguably the best range of products in its history."
The Audi R8 V10 won the World Performance Car of the Year. It is the second time that the R8 has won this award after the original model won it in 2008.
Meanwhile, in a major upset, the Bluemotion diesel Volkswagen range (not yet sold in Australia, but under consideration) won the World Green Car of the Year award.
Many observers had expected the all-new, third-generation Toyota Prius to pick up that award, but in the end it was one of three finalists. The other finalist was the new generation Honda Insight.
Australia also has something of which to be proud in the latest round of awards; the Chevrolet Camaro won the Car Design of the Year award.
Although the Camaro concept car was styled in Detroit alongside the 1960s model it pays homage to, the showroom version was actually styled in Australia at Holden by the same team who developed the current model VE Commodore.
Holden design director Tony Stolfo told the Carsales Network: "The Holden design studio was enormously proud to have played a leading role in the revival of such an iconic vehicle.
"Even in its early stages, we felt the Camaro design was something special, paying true homage to its classic pony car heritage.
"To have the talents of the Holden design team recognised in this way is a great honour and true recognition of the endless hours spent developing and honing the final theme.
"Great credit should also go to our engineers who managed to keep the production vehicle faithful to the original concept and deliver the performance expected of a vehicle representing the Camaro nameplate.
"It's yet another demonstration of the unique automotive talent that we have in Australia."
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at www.carsales.mobi