Skip advert
Advertisement

‘Land Rover just did the unthinkable in the World Car of the Year final’

This week, Mike Rutherford talks about the World's manufacturing elites and how that could soon include the British

Range Rover Velar opinion

Who built the best cars in the world over the last decade or so? Germany and Japan, I’d argue. Nobody’s pretending they’re perfect – both have produced a few automotive abominations over the years. But, credit where it’s due, they have got their cars right far more frequently than they’ve got ’em wrong.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Between 2006 and 2016, Audi, BMW, Mercedes and VW won the World Car of the Year title for Germany seven times. During the same period, Lexus, Mazda and Nissan claimed it for Japan on four occasions. 

World car of the Year Awards

This was nothing to do with coincidence, luck or bias. Instead, it was everything to do with the German and Japanese brands being superior on the automotive front to rivals based in other nations. 

Things had to change. And they did. It was the end of an era for the ‘two best’ car-building countries last year when Britain, Jaguar, its workers and its F-Pace lifted the 2017 World Car of the Year title. And the Brits could be in line for another great year because Land Rover is the statistical favourite to win the coveted WCOTY prize in 2018. 

For a company to get one contender into the WCOTY Final 10 is a major achievement. Even Audi and Mercedes weren’t good enough to do that this year. Yet Land Rover just did the unthinkable by occupying a pair of Top 10 positions, thanks to its Discovery and Velar.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

So, could it be two WCOTY wins in a row for Britain in 2017 and 2018? Possibly. Would this mean the UK could then join Germany and Japan as one of the ‘best three’ car countries on Earth? Probably. And if Sweden and Volvo continue to build fine all-new cars, it might be the fourth member of this elite global club. South Korea, blessed with Hyundai-Kia and the rising star that is Samsung Motors, is another that’s itching to join.

Auto Express New Car Awards

Undoubtedly, Germany is on the back foot, and to a lesser extent so is Japan. The WCOTY champion of 2010, VW’s Polo, has fallen at the first hurdle this year, as the all-new version has just been eliminated by the jurors in the first round of voting. This says much about products going out of fashion: the Polo badge is now 43 years old, and tired. But it says more about the current state of Volkswagen, which still has an awful lot of Dieselgate headaches to shed, and crippling legal and other fees and fines to pay. 

The German auto industry still struggles to see off the Japanese, while at the same time having to cope with stronger-than-ever product challenges from the Brits, Swedes and Koreans. It’s hardly game over for Germany and Japan. But, deep down, they know they’re being caught – and may even be overtaken.

Enjoy Mike's column? Then why not read last week's, where he talks about the rude health of British car makers?  

Skip advert
Advertisement
Chief columnist

Mike was one of the founding fathers of Auto Express in 1988. He's been motoring editor on four tabloid newspapers - London Evening News, The Sun, News of the World & Daily Mirror. He was also a weekly columnist on the Daily Telegraph, The Independent and The Sunday Times. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Controversial new Jaguar GT caught prowling in the snow
Jaguar Type 00 (camouflaged) - front 3/4 tracking

Controversial new Jaguar GT caught prowling in the snow

The latest spy shots provide more insight into what we can expect from this eagerly awaited EV
News
7 Feb 2025
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the biggest and most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
1 Jan 2025
It would be great to see Jaguar prove the doubters wrong in 2025
Jaguar Type 00

It would be great to see Jaguar prove the doubters wrong in 2025

Can Jaguar make its mark as a luxury, electric car brand in 2025? Editor, Paul Barker hopes so...
Opinion
27 Dec 2024
New Jaguar Type 00 teased further with rising rear ‘window’
Jaguar Type 00 Miami reveal event

New Jaguar Type 00 teased further with rising rear ‘window’

The Type 00 concept was unveiled weeks ago – although Jaguar isn’t finished with it just yet
News
23 Dec 2024

Most Popular

New Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle 2025 review: makes 7-seater SUVs feel cramped
Volkswagen Transporter e-Shuttle - front

New Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle 2025 review: makes 7-seater SUVs feel cramped

The Ford-based Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle is refined, good to drive and has plenty of space in all three rows
Road tests
14 Feb 2025
It’s not just electric cars that are overpriced
Opinion - expensive cars

It’s not just electric cars that are overpriced

Not matter how good a new car might be, Mike Rutherford thinks it will ultimately fail if it's overpriced
Opinion
16 Feb 2025
Ford Capri vs Cupra Tavascan: similar, stylish but only one can win
Ford Capri and Cupra Tavascan - front tracking

Ford Capri vs Cupra Tavascan: similar, stylish but only one can win

Ford brought back the iconic Capri name for its new coupé-SUV, which shares its platform with the fresh Cupra Tavascan. Which is the top dog?
Car group tests
15 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts