At a press conference hosted by Bridgestone Corporation and the New York International Auto Show at the Geneva International Motor Show, the top finalists for the World Car of the Year, World Performance Car, World Green Car and World Car Design of the Year awards were announced today.
The overall winners in all categories will be declared at the New York International Auto Show on Thursday, March 28, 2013.
From an initial entry list of forty-two new vehicles from all over the world, a short list of ten finalists, the top contenders for the overall 2013 World Car of the Year title have been revealed.
"In the voting for this year’s WCOTY award, we saw a very closely fought race which resulted in not three, but four finalists!" explained World Car Awards co-chair, Peter Lyon.
They are, in alphabetical order by manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Porsche Boxster / Cayman, the combined entry Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86 / GT 86, and the Volkswagen Golf.
This is the second consecutive year that Volkswagen is in the top three position and the fourth time since 2009. The Volkswagen Up! was the 2012 World Car of the Year.
To be eligible for the overall World Car award, the candidates must become available for sale on at least two continents during the period beginning January 1, 2012 and ending May 30, 2013.

Vehicles are selected and voted on by an international jury panel comprised of sixty-six top-level automotive journalists from twenty-three countries around the world. Each juror was appointed by the World Car Steering Committee on the basis of his or her expertise, experience, credibility, and influence.
Each juror typically drives and evaluates new vehicles on a regular basis as part of their professional work. All hold significant stature within their own regions and countries.