AJAC Announces Green Car Award Program

VANCOUVER, March 27, 2014 /CNW/ - At a media breakfast and press conference hosted by the Vancouver International Auto Show this week, director Kevin Corrigan announced that the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) will be adding an all-new Green Car award category to its Canadian Car of the Year Awards program as of next year (2015). This prestigious new award is to be presented at next year's Vancouver International Auto Show.

During his presentation, Kevin Corrigan, who is the newly appointed chair of the AJAC Green Car award committee, explained the association's reasoning behind this new award and, why the timing and location is right for such an award.

"As the recognized Canadian authority on vehicle evaluations, having presented the renowned Canadian Car of the Year Awards for near on 30 years now, AJAC is often asked the question, what is a green vehicle? This naturally starts a rather long and drawn out discussion, yet the conclusion AJAC has come to is this… It is a vehicle which, for its size and purpose, provides the Canadian consumer with environmentally-friendly returns favorable amongst other vehicles in its class".

Mr. Corrigan went on to clarify this by saying, "While an electrically-propelled sub-compact, thought of as Green, may well suit those living within the city limits, is it not also true to view a fuel-efficient 6 cyl luxury hybrid product likewise, when compared to V8 gas-powered vehicle in its relative segment of the market? Yes, the Canadian consumer requires environmentally-friendly transportation which meets their needs, whether it be a small city runaround, or a fuel-efficient luxury product for their airport limousine business. So when it comes to vehicle transportation, any & every vehicle which offers both fuel-efficiency and addresses environmental concerns is worthy of our attention, and praise where due".

Why next year?  "Well, with the new government fuel rating system coming into place, together with more in-depth information now being made available to us from the manufacturers, AJAC feels it finally has the right ingredients on hand to present a valid Green Car awards program to the Canadian public".

The announcement was met with an enthusiastic response from both the organizers of the Vancouver International Auto Show, and the Canadian media in attendance. For the Province widely thought of as the epicenter of Canada's Green movement, Mr. Corrigan delighted local attendees when he announced, "An AJAC Green Vehicle Award, in Vancouver. It just makes sense, yes?"

In keeping with the "green" theme, AJAC also announced at the press conference exciting news about AJAC's third "EcoRun" taking place this May in Vancouver.

SOURCE: Automobile Journalists Association of Canada

Kevin Corrigan, chair of the AJAC Green Car award committee at ([email protected]) or Allie Marsh at ([email protected]).