NEW YORK AUTO SHOW: Volkswagen Golf Takes 2009 World Car Of The Year Honors

The Volkswagen Golf was honored as the 2009 World Car of the Year. A jury comprised of fifty-nine international automotive journalists from twenty-five countries around the world chose this year’s World Car of the Year, which was announced this morning at a news conference during the New York International Auto Show.

“It is a tremendous honor for Volkswagen to have its global best selling model, the Golf, named the 2009 World Car of the Year,” said Stefan Jacoby, President/CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “This is a great way to kick-off the new Golf here in America. We’re excited for the arrival of the sixth generation Golf, which will be in Volkswagen showrooms later this year. Simply put, we believe this is the best Golf ever.”

The Golf, a perennial favorite in the Volkswagen line-up, has sold more than 26 million units in 120 countries, making it one of the top selling vehicles of all-time. The new sixth generation Golf first debuted at the Paris Motor show last fall, and made its U.S. debut at this year’s New York International Auto Show. The Golf has been designed to be quieter, sportier, fuel efficient and present a clean, distinctive appearance that — staying true to Volkswagen — is fun-to-drive.

The new Golf embodies Volkswagen’s product strategy aimed to sharpen the brand design in all classes and apply greater global consistency among model names. These steps are intended to leverage the offerings of the world’s third largest automaker as it looks to increase sales and market share. The 2010 Golf will be available in dealer showrooms across the U.S. this fall in gasoline and TDI versions.

2009 New York Auto Show Photo Gallery

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lock - 4/9/2009 12:07:10 PM

-1 Boost

I'm somewhat impressed.

_43LE - 4/9/2009 2:20:58 PM

+4 Boost

Great car. But it won't shut any haters up. If Toyota or Honda or Nissan won an award like this you would not shut up either.

abcd - 4/9/2009 3:57:56 PM

+4 Boost

TurboSpyder, Lexus LS won 2006 Car of the year award and you haven't shut up.

MrBratwurst - 4/9/2009 6:30:35 PM

+5 Boost

abcd, that was the 2009 Response Of The Year.

_43LE - 4/9/2009 10:36:09 PM

+2 Boost

Yes, and the other times you post it is almost exclusively anything pro German or anti-Asian.

PerformanceGuy - 4/9/2009 3:39:26 PM

0 Boost

What other cars was it up against?

mini22 - 4/9/2009 4:38:02 PM

0 Boost

Who did VW pay off to get the award. The Golf and GTI are a conservative,dowdy looking hatchback. VW has one car in it's stable that is exciting but refuse to import it.They fear that the Scirocco will canabalize the GTI sales. I would say it might canabalize the GTI 3dr. So VW should offer the GTI only in a 4dr. Obviously VWOA knows best.Right?

AlexTx - 4/9/2009 5:36:47 PM

-1 Boost

i found some of the comments funny coming from people who have not seen the car, driven it...
David is still living under his Lexus rock.

DieselRules - 4/9/2009 7:49:48 PM

-4 Boost

Funny, but the fact that this is the best selling car in the history of the automobile, (even though it is often competing against lower-priced cars) there are still idiots who rant about it being "unreliable". So, everyone in the world is an idiot except them?
Funny, but its general knowledge that in Europe people know a LOT more about cars (rather than being brain-washed by media) compared to North America.
The verbal sewage dispensed by idiots such as David969 just reinforces the point!

abcd - 4/10/2009 8:44:34 AM

+1 Boost

"in Europe people know a LOT more about cars"

Thanks.

investor27 - 4/9/2009 8:58:38 PM

+2 Boost

The Golf diesel is coming this fall to the US? I didn't know that. That's good news, but wouldn't it affect the Jetta TDI sales?

commander104 - 4/10/2009 6:50:57 PM

+1 Boost

no it would not b/c many Americans want a trunk anyway, especially in the high crime areas to keep stuff locked out of sight.

avanti64 - 4/9/2009 11:20:24 PM

-3 Boost

C'mon, with so many great cars out there (new for 2009) the Golf gets the award?
For chrissakes, it's a VW for one and a friggin' Golf to boot. What new ground has this warmed over Wabbit brought to the fore?
As far as it being the best selling car of all time, any would be if it were made for 25 years in a row. And, please, the Europeans don't know more about cars than Americans! They are just cheap ass bastards when it comes to spending their money.

AlexTx - 4/10/2009 12:01:37 PM

+4 Boost

Yeah... that's why the cars over there cost a whole lot more than here, but yeah they are cheap..
A lot of cars have been built for over 25 years.
Can you say Honda Civic?
Not even close to the Golf in terms of sales...
Idiot.

commander104 - 4/10/2009 6:56:31 PM

+1 Boost

I think people buy VWs as an investment (all cars depreciate) but VW buyers tend to keep their cars for a long time. A lot of engineering goes into them i.e. if you sit inside the car in a wind tunnel it is dead quiet. Check out videos about them online then get back to us.

lanchime - 4/10/2009 2:51:03 PM

+1 Boost

I'm really confused....is there only one winner or multiple winners? Because it says that the Audi A4/Avant, BMW 7 Series, Citroën C5 Sedan/Tourer, Fiat 500, Honda Fit/Jazz, Jaguar XF, and Mazda Atenza/Mazda6 won honors as well as the Golf. http://autos.yahoo.com/auto-shows/new_york_auto_show_2009/948/Volkswagen-Golf-VI-announced-as-2009-World-Car-of-the-Year;_ylc=X3oDMTE4NXUwMTgzBF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEc2VjA2ZwLXRvZGF5BHNsawN3b3JsZC1jYXItdnc-

And the GTR won World Performance Car of the Year AND International Car of the Year? http://www.roadandtravel.com/awards/2009/winners/2009-icoty-car.htm
http://www.gtrblog.com/2009/04/10/nissan-gt-r-declared-2009-world-performance-car-of-the-year/