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Honda CR-Z wins Japan COTY

The Honda CR-Z eventually won the count by a 406-397 margin.

The Volkswagen Polo led from the start of vote counting at Waseda University Hall in Tokyo, but a late surge by the Honda CR-Z gave the top prize to Japan's new hybrid hero.  The Polo was still named as Import Car of the Year.

There are 60 judges on the Japan COTY panel and the Polo was ahead as the scores were read for the first 55, with more maximum 10-point votes -including mine - going to the Volkswagen compact.

But then the tide turned and the CR-Z eventually won the count by a 406-397 margin.  As the votes were read for the final five jurors a Honda contingent led by CR-Z chief engineer Norio Tomobe, who had been silent and solemn until that point, began to cheer like soccer fans on the winning side.

The final finishing order was Honda CR-Z, Volkswagen Polo, Suzuki Swift and Peugeot RCZ.  Each of the 60 Japan COTY jurors is allocated 25 votes, with 10 for their top-rated car and the rest for their next four in order of preference, something like 10-6-4-3-2.

There are only two foreign nationals on the panel, including myself.

Japan Car of the Year voting:

1. Honda CR-Z, 406
2. Volkwagen Polo, 397
3. Suzuki Swift, 228
4. Peugeot RCZ, 190
5. Nissan March (Micra), 67
6. BMW 5 Series, 62
7. Jaguar XJ, 54
8. Mazda Premacy (Mazda5), 51
9. Toyota Mark X, 26
10. Mercedes E-Class (BlueTec), 19