Toyota Prius Hybrid car has won Japan Car of the year Award for 2023-2024
The Prius got 360 votes from the Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY) committee trouncing the first runner-up the BMW X1 with 150 votes. While the Honda ZR-V finished third with 100 votes.
In 2023 the JCOTY introduced a new voting system giving jurors 16 votes to distributed between their three best cars.
Mr. Satoki Oya who is the chief engineer of Toyota Prius said, the car’s reinvention was a case of extremes when former Toyota president and CEO Akio Toyoda recommended that the Prius, a game-changing petrol-hybrid had run its course that makes the hybrid pioneer the most stylish ever been with significantly increased performance and better fuel economy.
Now in its 44th year, the Japan Car of the Year awards is organized and run by representatives from 39 of Japan’s most influential automotive and lifestyle publications who select the 60 jurors each year.
In the first round of voting in early November, jurors selected the “10 Best” cars for 2023 which included the Toyota Prius, Toyota Alphard, Nissan Serena, Honda ZR-V, Subaru Crosstrek, Mitsubishi Delica Mini, Abarth 500e, BMW X1, Maserati Grecale, and Volkswagen ID.4.
In the special awards categories, the 660-cc Mitsubishi Delica Mini kei-car won the Design Car of the Year trophy while the Nissan Serena took home the Technology Car of the Year award for its new e-Power system employing a 1.4-liter 3-cylinder hybrid and the Pro-Pilot 2.0 advanced driver assist system which allows hands-off driving as well.
BMW X1 2023-2024 Japan import car of the year
BMW X1 which is a compact size car of German automaker was winner of 2023-2024 Japan import car of the year.
Mitsubishi Delica Mini 2023-2024 Design Award at Japan car of the year
Mitsubishi Motor Corporation’s sub-compact people mover “Mitsubishi Delica Mini which is a Kei class car, has won “Design Car of the year” award of 2023-2024 Japan car of the year.
Nissan Serena won 2023-2024 Technology Award at Japan car of the year
Nissan Motor Corporation’s minivan Serena was winner of “Technology car of the year” award at 2023-2024 Japan car of the year.