NIAGARA FALLS, ON, Oct. 25, 2013 /CNW/ - What do 174 brand new vehicles, 80 automotive journalists and the Niagara Parks Commission have in common? The answer: the 26th annual "TestFest" staged by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada known, within the industry by its acronym AJAC.
The top automotive journalists from all across Canada have just concluded their five-day test-drive evaluation of brand new 2014 model-year vehicle. The event is hosted by the Niagara Parks Commission in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Janice Thomson, chair of The Niagara Parks Commission said, "The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) is delighted to have been host to AJAC's TestFest, one of Canada's foremost industry events, this week at Legends on the Niagara Golf Course. This "naturally inspired" golf course was a unique setting for a car testing event and we are thrilled with the opportunity to showcase the inspired work of the participating car manufacturers. NPC believes it is important to keep this wonderful event in Niagara and we are pleased that AJAC has entrusted NPC to host this event."
And next year? AJAC hopes to return to the Niagara Parks Commission's locations with the addition of another appropriate property for conducting our steering, handling and performance evaluations, including braking and acceleration testing. AJAC is in advanced negotiations concerning access to this site and expects to make a final announcement with full details in February at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.
The point of the journalists' evaluation is to select the best new vehicles in various categories such as "Best New Family Car" or "Best New Luxury Car". The comparative data generated by the journalists is then passed on to consumers for their use as a resource buying guide.
Our journalists drive every vehicle back-to-back on the same day, under the same conditions (yes - even rain). They use public roads so that the information passed on to the consumer is relevant to everyday life.
Every detail, from safety features to cargo capacity, is thoroughly scrutinized, discussed, and individually rated by secret ballot. Over 40,000 data fields are generated by the journalists.
Shell Canada is the event's official fuel supplier. "TestFest draws a passionate crowd of auto experts who are focused on providing consumers with information they need to help make decisions on one of their biggest investments - their vehicle," says Arjun Prakash, Shell Fuels Scientist. "Shell is proud to be the official fuels sponsor of TestFest, because it is our mission to provide drivers with optimum vehicle performance through advanced technology. We work closely with the auto industry to develop fuels based on evolving engine technologies to ensure that no other premium gasoline keeps critical engine parts cleaner than Shell V-Power."
Need to compare a Mazda3 to a Toyota Corolla? Or a Chevrolet Impala to a Ford CMAX Energi? How about a Kia Cadenza with a Mercedes-Benz CLA 250? The vote results and comparative data from this year's event will be announced December 3rd.
However, you don't need to wait until then to learn more about AJAC's posted vehicle comparisons. Comparative data for 2013 are currently listed under New Vehicle Data - Criteria Driven - Canadian Expertise on our web site: ajac.ca
Of course, you can also follow us on Twitter @AJACanada or #testfest and on Facebook.
Image with caption: "AJAC TestFest Open Testing Journalists Comparing Cars (CNW Group/Automobile Journalists Association of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131025_C7209_PHOTO_EN_32579.jpg
SOURCE: Automobile Journalists Association of Canada
For more information about AJAC, its annual "TestFest", and the Canadian Car of the Year Awards, please contact Beth Rhind, AJAC Manager, 1.905.375.5145, e: [email protected]
Also from this source
Share this article