Skip to content

VOLVO XC60 WINS JAPAN’S CAR OF THE YEAR

In a nail-biting vote-counting ceremony that saw the lead change three times between the Volvo XC60, BMW 5-Series and Toyota Camry, the Swedish crossover pulled away in the closing moments to poll 294 votes and clinch the 2018 Japan Car of the Year. The XC60 finished some 52 votes clear of the strong finishing 5-Series and 62 ahead of the closest Japanese competitor, Toyota’s Camry.

Accepting the trophy in front of 60 Car of the Year jurors and over 200 industry colleagues, Volvo Japan CEO Takayuki Kimura said, “This is 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.”

The Suzuki Swift finished in 4th 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. Then, in this, its 20th anniversary since launching the Prius hybrid, Toyota picked up the COTY steering committee’s ‘Special Achievement Award’ for the brand’s 10 millionth hybrid sale, a trophy Toyota executive chairman and first-gen Prius chief engineer Takeshi Uchiyamada was proud to receive. The Honda N-Box won the Small Mobility Award for being judged the best vehicle in Japan’s unique 660cc class category.

In the second biggest surprise of the day (after the Volvo win), a second Special Achievement Award was presented to racer Takuma Sato for his unforgettable victory in this year’s Indy 500, making him the first Japanese to win the legendary race.

*If an imported car wins Japan COTY, the Import COTY award is void.

For more information, please access: http://www.jcoty.org/

Victory Medal (Pikachu) 031/L-P - Bronze Prize Black Star Promo - NM
eBay
£130.00
Victory Medal (Pikachu) 031/L-P - Bronze Prize Black Star Promo - NM
Pikachu Victory Medal 032/L-P - Silver Prize Promo (Japanese) - NM
eBay
£120.00
Pikachu Victory Medal 032/L-P - Silver Prize Promo (Japanese) - NM
IMPERIAL JAPAN ORDER OF THE RISING SUN - NECK AWARD 2nd class
eBay
£291.92
IMPERIAL JAPAN ORDER OF THE RISING SUN - NECK AWARD 2nd class
-17%
Meganium Victory Medal 041/L-P Promo Silver Prize Pokemon Card | Japanese | NM
eBay
£94.99 £114.99
Meganium Victory Medal 041/L-P Promo Silver Prize Pokemon Card | Japanese | NM
Genuine Komori Japan 100 Year Award Winning Commemorative note Limited Edition
eBay
£94.32
Genuine Komori Japan 100 Year Award Winning Commemorative note Limited Edition
Pokemon Japanese - Plasma Badge BW-P Battle Carnival Prize Promo 2012
eBay
£94.32
Pokemon Japanese - Plasma Badge BW-P Battle Carnival Prize Promo 2012
Typhlosion Victory Medal 042/L-P - Prize Promo Silver (Japanese) - NM
eBay
£145.00
Typhlosion Victory Medal 042/L-P - Prize Promo Silver (Japanese) - NM
Typhlosion Victory Medal 027/L-P - Gold Prize Promo (Japanese) - NM
eBay
£90.00
Typhlosion Victory Medal 027/L-P - Gold Prize Promo (Japanese) - NM
-9%
Victory Medal Gym Prize Promo Silver Stamp 2006 Pokemon Card | Japanese | LP+
eBay
£149.99 £164.99
Victory Medal Gym Prize Promo Silver Stamp 2006 Pokemon Card | Japanese | LP+
-16%
Pokemon Gym Medal XY-P Gym Leader Finals 2014 Prize Promo Card | Japanese | MP
eBay
£57.50 £68.50
Pokemon Gym Medal XY-P Gym Leader Finals 2014 Prize Promo Card | Japanese | MP
Nakamura Casio Watch Awarded For 06/07 Season - Signed Documents
eBay
£182.72
Nakamura Casio Watch Awarded For 06/07 Season - Signed Documents
Banpresto Nintendo Prize Collection LUIGI Golf Family Computer Toy SUPER RARE
eBay
£280.00
Banpresto Nintendo Prize Collection LUIGI Golf Family Computer Toy SUPER RARE