60 entered for New Zealand’s motoring industry ‘Oscars’

Sixty vehicles have been entered in the 2010 AA Motoring Excellence Awards, the 'Oscars' of the New Zealand motoring industry.

"The AA Motoring Excellence Awards provide impartial and truly independent assessments of new vehicles for Kiwi motorists," says Stella Stocks, AA Motoring Services General Manager.

The 11 award categories this year are: small, compact, medium, large, small and large crossover, luxury/executive, and performance cars; environmental; motoring journalism; customer satisfaction; and safety. A Supreme Winner will also be announced.

The 60 vehicles, worth $3.8 million, have arrived at Taupo Motor Sport Park and judging will take place over the next five days. Each of the vehicles is being assessed on its design, performance, dynamics, practicality, execution, value for money and safety.

This year's judges are motoring writers Jacqui Madelin, Brian Cowan, and David Linklater; as well as TV3’s motoring reporter Shaun Summerfield, the AA’s Andrew Bayliss, and New Zealand rally driving champion Emma Gilmour.

"We are delighted by the high calibre of this year’s judges. They will spend approximately 220 hours this week examining New Zealand’s newest vehicles on local roads, around the track and, for some vehicle categories, off road as well. Their task will be an onerous one, but it is the thoroughness of our judging which makes these awards the very best in New Zealand," says Ms Stocks.

Toyota, Lexus, Audi, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Skoda, Honda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Hyundai, Suzuki, Ford, Kia, Holden, BMW, Mini and Mercedes-Benz have entered this year’s awards.

The winners, including the 2010 AA Motoring Excellence Award Supreme Winner, will be announced at a gala dinner in Auckland on 3 December.

The AA organises the Motoring Excellence Awards with the support of MARAC, The New Zealand Herald, Castrol New Zealand, Wag The Dog, EECA, and the NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation (Inc).

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