The London Motor Show to be held at ExCeL on the Royal Victoria Dock will feature a world first.
Ten women motoring journalists from nine different countries will have their own stand – a first for any motor show since the car was invented. The women are all jury members of Women’s World Car of the Year – the only car awards in the world voted entirely by women.
Managing Director of Women’s World Car of the Year, Sandy Myhre from New Zealand, said the initial invitation came from the show’s organisers.
“Andy Entwistle, Chief Executive of the show, made things happen. Without that, and some support from Jaguar Land Rover who are assisting four of our judges from Europe, we wouldn’t have the opportunity to be together in London.”
On the 16th May the journalists will present a trophy to a representative from Volvo for the XC40 winning the 2018 Women’s World Car of the Year supreme award.
On the 17th May they will present a trophy to Fiona Pargeter, Global Communications Director with Jaguar Land Rover, for winning the inaugural 2018 Woman of Worth award. The award was initiated to recognise the significant contribution made by a woman in the motor industry. It is determined by popular vote among jury members.
Both trophies are made in New Zealand. The 2018 Supreme Award for Volvo is carved wood of Māori design inlaid with native paua shell, similar to abalone.
The Woman of Worth trophy consists of three traditional woven flax baskets (known as kete in Māori) encased in a frame. The baskets represent knowledge, wisdom and empathy.
Women’s World Car of the Year is announced in November each year. The 37 women journalists who vote are from 28 different countries and are all are professional motoring writers. A recent audit of the collective world-wide outlets of all judges showed the group’s total audience is currently 256 million.
Sandy Myhre said despite women car buyers being in the majority in many countries, they still tend to be under-recognised by the industry in advertising and marketing and still face what she calls the ‘little woman syndrome’ in car dealerships or on the car lot. Women’s World Car of the Year has been around for a decade now and yet there are some, even in the industry, who think we vote for a woman’s car which is an absolute misnomer because such a thing does not exist.
“We are professional women who give our opinion each year on the cars we have driven and, in that way, are a public voice for women motorists and women customers.”
To celebrate international Women’s day and the announcement to host the WWCOTY presentation. Visitors will be able to get 10% of ticket prices by entering the code ‘Womensday” at ticket checkout. This offer will be valid until midnight on the 8th March.
The Leasing.com London Motor Show – Women’s World Car of the Year presentation times:
16th May 2019 @ 2.30pm – Volvo
17th May 2019 @9.30pm – Fiona Pargeter, Jaguar Land Rover
