What struck me about that was the amount of french and italian dross in the list.
Yeah, it’s not a competition for exceptional cars is it - just a list of mostly blandest big sellers.
I still don’t get what Toyota, nissan, jeep and chevrolet are doing in a european car comp.
It's cars for sale, in Europe - not cars designed or manufactured in europe. If the Chrysler Neon was a Focus beater, and was for sale in five european countries, despite being entirely American, it could win.
Although over the years there have been some weird choices, I'll grant you.
At the end of the year, the Jury Committee draws up a list of eligible cars from all the newcomers presented in the calendar year. Eligible cars must be essentially new models, not simply changed cosmetically or by the installation of new engine or a transmission. They are considered irrespective of their country of origin but must be production cars available in at least five European countries at the time of voting.
I don’t really understand the current trend of brushing stripes into floor mats (they’re screwed up as soon as any feet go on them), but - if you do - then I guess this could be considered “next level”?
Re: Randomness
Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2026 5:29 pm
by Matty
I always saw it as a detailers flourish - like a bow on a present, or a happy ending after a massage. It's not meant to last, just adds to the occasion.