WOLFSBURG/NEW YORK: The Volkswagen ID.4 has been named “World Car of the Year 2021,” prevailing over strong global competition.
This is the fifth World Car of the Year award for Volkswagen. Other Volkswagen winners that have been "World Car of the Year" were Golf (2013); up! (2012); Polo (2010); and Golf (2009).
The World Car Awards are presented by more than 90 international automotive journalists from 24 countries, who vote on the best innovations on the world market.
To be eligible for the World Car of the Year award, vehicles must be manufactured in volumes of at least 10,000 units per year, must be priced below the luxury-car level in their primary markets, and must be on sale in at least two major markets, on at least two continents, between May 1, 2020 and May 1, 2021.
The jury praised the environmental friendliness of no direct emissions and technological advances of the ID.4, with its 82kWh (gross) electric battery, full suite of driver assistance technology and innovative features like over-the-air software update and the ID.Light assistant.
“The World Car of the Year award marks a great success for our entire ID. team,” said Thomas Ulbrich, Board Member for Development at the Volkswagen brand.
“We have succeeded in developing a car that starts the system change to e-mobility in the world's most important segment—compact SUVs—and offers excellent everyday usability. We are making innovative electric mobility in the volume market something that can be experienced by everyone.”
“We are particularly pleased about our ID.4 being named World Car of the Year”, said Ralf Brandstätter, CEO of Volkswagen passenger cars.
“Not only because it is one of the most important car awards in the world, but also because the jury honoured a great idea and a great team. The first ID. model for the key markets of Europe, China and the US carries our electric offensive around the world.”
With this win in the 17th edition of the World Car of the Year award, the ID.4 continues the success story of Volkswagen in this contest. Volkswagen plans to deliver around 150,000 ID.4s worldwide this year. Accelerating the e-offensive is a core element of Volkswagen's ACCELERATE strategy. The company plans to bring at least one new all-electric model to market globally every year.
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the award ceremony of the World Car Awards took place digitally this year.
Other 2021 awards are as follows:
World Luxury Car
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
World Performance Car
Porsche 911 Turbo
World Urban Car
Honda e
World Car Design of the Year
Land rover Defender
The Road to the 2022 World Car Awards would start on Aug 19 at the New York International Auto Show.
