Toyota's European-designed supermini, the Yaris, has won the European Car of the Year award 2000. Judging was by 56 leading motoring journalists from 21 European countries including Ireland. They gave the Yaris 344 points, 19 points ahead of the runner-up, Fiat's unusually-shaped family MPV, the Multipla.
It is only the second time in the 36-year history of the award that it has been awarded to a Japanese car. The Yaris, which comes with innovative 1.0 and 1.3 litre variable valve timing engines, is remarkably spacious in spite of its compact dimensions. It has a chic and trendy appearance, a trait not normally associated with small Japanese cars. Styling was by a young Greek man, Sotiris Kovos, working in Toyota Motor Europe's Brussels studio.
The Yaris has been on sale on the Irish market since March with Irish pricing starting at just under £10,000 ex works. Production currently comes from Japan but in 2001 it will transfer to France.
The journalists judging the award had a shortlist of five cars. Opel's Zafira was in third place with 265 points, while the Skoda Fabia and Rover 75 were fourth and fifth with 245 and 221 points respectively.
Andrew Hamilton represents Ireland on the European Car of the Year Jury.