VW Wins in Japan & the Internationalization of the Industry

While there is considerable buzz in the U.S. auto world as various publications and organizations announce their cars, trucks, SUVs, etc. of the year, one thing that recently happened in Japan is worth noting.

For the first time in its 34-year history, the Japan Car of the Year Award went to a non-Japanese make.

The Volkswagen Golf received the award. That’s right: a German car.

There are 600 possible points. The Golf received 504 points, handily besting the second place Honda Fit/Jazz, which scored 373, and which is not a German car.

Also interesting is that the Volvo V40 came in third, at 167. Yes, a Swedish car (albeit from a company that is Chinese-owned).

Seems that the judges in Japan are clearly keen on cars that don’t necessarily hail from domestic sources, which underlines the global nature of the auto industry.