African Outdoor Group has been confirmed as the official vehicle logistics partner for the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists’ Wesbank-sponsored Car of the Competition for 2013.
COTY is a highlight of the automotive industry’s calendar, culminating in a black tie banquet in March at which the winner will be announced. A team of select motoring journalists from the SAGMJ are scheduled to test the 12 finalists (selected from all vehicles launched in a 12-month period) from February 13 to 15, with AOG tasked with handling functions such as the creation of a suitable route, administration and logistics requirements of the 36 vehicles, and the structure of the test programme at the acclaimed Gerotek Test Facility west of Pretoria.
AOG was previously awarded the contract to test the 12 finalists, and has already measured and collated performance parameters such as acceleration and braking. From this and other information they will provide the judges with a comprehensive table of data, features and specifications to make it easier for them to score each vehicle accurately and fairly.
Says Derick Lategan, Managing Director of AOG: “Running events of this kind are one of our core strengths, and we’re very proud to have been chosen by the Guild to look after the logistics and other operational needs during such a prestigious event. We will bring the full weight of our various divisions to bear to ensure that the 2013 COTY test days are a success.”
The vehicles vying for the prestigious title of South African Car of the Year 2013 are:
-
2012 BMW 3 Series 320i Automatic
-
2012 Ford Ranger 3.2 XLT 4X4 Double Cab Diesel AT
-
2012 Hyundai i30 1.8 Executive
-
2012 Kia Rio 1.4 TEC Hatch MT
-
2012 Lexus GS 350 EX
-
2012 Mercedes-Benz B 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY
-
2012 Nissan Juke 1.6 DIG-T Tekna (Leather)
-
2012 Opel Meriva 1.4T Cosmo
-
2012 Porsche Boxster
-
2012 Range Rover Evoque Si4 Dynamic 5-door
-
2012 Toyota 86 High Spec 6MT
-
2012 Toyota Yaris 1.5 HSD Xs
