WORLD CAR OF THE YEAR AWARDS

The 2009 World Car of the Year Awards are now officially launched. The inaugural World Car title was first handed out in 2005 to the Audi A6, with 2006 World Car honours going to the BMW 3-Series while the Lexus LS460 took the honour of being the 2007 World Car of the Year. The 2008 World Car of the Year was the Mazda2/Mazda Demio.

Bakur Azher, the publisher and editor-in-chief of Jeddah-based Saudi Auto magazine, has been invited to be a judge at next April's annual World Car of the Year Awards (WCOTY).

The appointment comes after many years of test driving and writing about cars following the launch of the magazine in 1991. Saudi Auto and Azher have become an authority in the region. The editor also spends time in Dubai and has travelled around the world testing cars.

He explains what the invitation means and what his favourite test-driving experiences are.

Q: How much of an honour is it to be named as a judge for the World Car of the Year Awards?

“It is an honour to be selected as a juror of the 5th World Car Of The Year awards,” said Azher. “These awards are completely fair and unbiased towards any automotive manufacturer. This is the reason that makes these awards credible and reliable.” World Car of the Year (WCOTY) is a programme initiated by, organized by and conducted by automotive journalists from all over the world.

The award is administered by a non-profit corporation, under the guidance of a steering committee of distinguished automotive journalists from Asia, Europe, and North America. The WCOTY award is one of the most recognized awards in the world of motoring. Now in its 5th successful year, these awards have been established around the world for its excellence, credibility & integrity.

Q: Which cars will you be testing as part of the WCOTY Awards?
I was asked to be a judge in June, so I have already driven some of the vehicles on the list. Basically what we have been doing is test-drive a number of cars. I am based in Jeddah but when I am in Dubai, a lot of the regional offices send me their cars, for example, the Honda Coupe V6 and the Saab 9-3 Convertible. In Saudi Arabia, I was driving the Audi A4 and in America the BMW X6 and the Buik Alclave. I have also been to Italy to drive Fiat. Other cars will include the new Ford Fiesta, Mercedes GLK and Jaguar XF.

Q: You launched Saudi Auto Magazine in 1991. How has it grown over the years?
We have two audiences – the car enthusiasts who are looking to read about the latest automotive news and the consumers who are interested in the best value to buy. We do a lot of independent competitive test drives and have recently included an editor's choice section. To make sure we comply with this, we have hired a company where we send the cars to and they do a dynamo test and send us the results against the manufacturers' claimed results.

Q: So it is the most authoritative guide in the Middle East. What was the best location and the best car that you have test driven over the years? The most interesting place was Death Valley, Las Vegas, and the car I test drove was the Audi R8. This was a car I really loved driving. That and the fact that we were then required to change from the outdoors and test-drive it on an indoor circuit. It is such a great car to drive and the track was phenomenal.

Q: Which car do you drive and why? I drive a Cadillac Escalade. It is one of the most perfect high platform SUVs and gives you the feel of a sedan. The higher the clearance of the car, the more stable it is.

The WCOTY awards will take place in April 2009.

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