Car Awards Group, Inc. (CAGI), an organization of top motoring journalists, broadcasters, presenters, and experts in the country, has officially launched the 2017 Car of the Year Philippines (COTY-P) and Truck of the Year Philippines (TOTY-P).
The purpose of the COTY-P and TOTY-P this year remains the same as before; to provide the motoring public with the most credible information about the best vehicles available in the market today. However, new for this year is the Motorcycle of the Year Philippines (MOTY-P), which as its name implies, is aimed at the country’s motorized 2-wheeled industry.
In relation to this, CAGI President Ronald de los Reyes was quoted as saying, “We believe that it’s about time we also give due recognition to our fellow two-wheeled contemporaries on the road. By welcoming new blood into our fold, the organization is expanding its reach and tapping into the expertise of the motorcycle media to adapt our successful model.”
The launch event, which was held during the 13th Manila International Auto Show, welcomed distinguished guests from the government sector like Department of Tourism (DOT) Assistant Secretary Inaki Jose and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Atty. Karen Jimeno.
Jimeno, in particular, expressed that the state of the country’s infrastructures affect the automotive preferences of consumers.
This year’s COTY-P, TOTY-P, and the new MOTY-P will undergo what’s called a “Test Fest” to be held in September and October. This will be followed by an awards night in November. The Test Fest consists of qualitative and quantitative testing procedures centering on consumer- and performance-based evaluations, respectively.
The former uses predetermined consumer metrics like ride, fit and finish, comfort, and more. The latter, on the other hand, is carried out using GPS-based tech to measure braking, acceleration, and power, among others.
“We expect more than a 100 motor vehicles comprised of cars, pickups and motorcycles to be tested this season,” de los Reyes added.
Aside from the Test Fest, CAGI will also be holding dealer talks in April and May, test demos in June and July, and a TV special in December to cap things off. Carmudi Philippines and international auditing firm KPMG will again play important roles in this year’s Test Fest, with the latter in charge of data handling, gathering, tabulation, audit, and release.
CAGI President Ronald de los Reyes
DPWH Undersecretary Karen Jimeno
MIAS Organizer JR Ang
Car Awards Group, Inc. is comprised of members from the following media entities: Business Mirror, Cebu Daily News, Daily Tribune, Malaya Business Insight, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, The Manila Times, Bulgar, Abante Tonite, Mindanao Daily News, AQ Magazine, Autocar.Ph, C! Magazine, Motorcycle Magazine, Power Wheels Magazine, Top Gear Philippines, 2nerMagazine.com, Carmudi Magazine, Iginition.ph, Interaksyon.com, Kotse.com, ManilaSpeak.com, MotionCars.com, Ride and Drive Phils., Speed by MP Turbo, SprocketPh.com, TessDrive.com, TimeAttackManila.com, Yugatech.com, DZMM, Inside Motoring on DZRJ 810 AM, Mellow 94.7, Motoring sa DZME, The Motoring Page on Mellow 94.7 FM, ABS-CBN, Auto Review, and Spotlight TV.
