Kia Rio wins Continental Irish Car of the Year award

The Kia Rio has been voted as the Continental Irish Car of the Year for 2012 by the Irish Motoring Writers’ Association.

The announcement was made at a glitzy awards ceremony today in the Convention Centre in Dublin, which was attended by leading figures from the motor industry. The sporty little Rio narrowly beat off competition from the Ford Focus and the Peugeot 508 to take the prize, marking the first time that a Korean car brand has taken the title in the 35-year history of the awards.

The award was based on a wide range of criteria that was voted upon by the Irish Motoring Writers Association judges, ranging from innovation and safety to space, comfort, build quality, driving quality and value for money.

Presenting the award to James Brooks, Managing Director of Kia Ireland, Paddy Murphy of sponsor, Continental Tyres Ireland, said: “From a great crop of entrants for this year’s award, the Irish motoring writers have selected an exciting model to carry the 2012 title and no doubt the Continental Irish Car of the Year accolade will provide a great badge of honour for the Kia Rio to help it in the competitive Irish market next year.

“The Rio’s victory is a measure of the progress which Korean manufacturers have made on the car market in a very short time.”

The Ford Focus, Peugeot 508, Range Rover Evoque and Mercedes Benz SLK all picked up awards in various other categories at the ceremony, while van of the year went to the Volkswagen Crafter.

Continental Car of the Year award winners:

Continental Irish Small Car of the Year

Kia Rio

Continental Irish Compact Family Car of the Year

Ford Focus

Continental Irish Family Car of the Year

Peugeot 508

Continental Irish Executive / Luxury Car of the Year

Range Rover Evoque

Continental Irish Performance Car of the Year

Mercedes-Benz SLK

Continental Irish Van of the year

Volkswagen Crafter

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