It's the first time a hybrid has been awarded the title by auto journalists

Published: Friday, February 23, 2007

Toyota's Camry Hybrid has been named 2007 Canadian car of the Year, as determined by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).

At a press conference at the opening of the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto last week, it was announced that the Camry Hybrid had bested nine other best new category winners to win the top prize. This is the first time in AJAC's awards history that a hybrid has won an overall Car of the Year title.

"We are thrilled that AJAC's members have endorsed the [Camry Hybrid] with this important award and would like to thank the membership for their support," says Tony Wearing, managing director for Toyota Canada.

"With the launch of the Camry Hybrid, we have brought hybrid technology into the mainstream."

The 2007 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year award was given to the Acura RDX. The RDX was chosen the overall winner from among 25 eligible vehicles in the sport-utility and pickup categories.

"The AJAC Canadian Car of the Year program identifies and categorizes all the new vehicles each year," says Car of the Year chairman Paul Williams, "and then subjects them to detailed testing in real-world situations. It's not a popularity contest -- it's a thorough, objective and trustworthy process to help consumers make informed purchase decisions."

The Saturn Sky Red Line won the Best New Design award. The BMW M Coupe and the Jaguar XK were design finalists.

Mercedes-Benz's Bluetec diesel emissions-control technology, available on the 2007 Mercedes E320 Bluetec, was declared Best New Technology. Bluetec enables diesel engines to meet strict new North American emissions standards.

Past winners include last year's Lexus Direct and Port Fuel Injection in 2005 and BMW's Active Steering technology in 2004.

© The Vancouver Sun 2007