The Mercedes-Benz C Class sedan got the nod of 75 motoring experts from 22 countries enroute to winning the global motoring’s biggest honor – the 2015 World Car of the Year.
The luxury sedan from the German automaker handily beat the Ford Mustang and the new Volkswagen Passat to claim the prestigious honor, notes the Herald Sun.
Mercedes-Benz also became the third German automaker in the last four years to have won the World Car of the Year awards. In 2014, the Audi A3 won the top honor. Two years back, it was the Volkswagen Golf Mk7 and in 2012, it was the Volkswagen Up that copped the plum.
The announcement of Mercedes-Benz C Class sedan winning the award was made at the New York International Auto Show and was actually a reinforcement of similar honors in most countries where it is being sold.
In Australia for instance, News Corporation has bestowed the Carsguide Car of the Year honor to the Mercedes-Benz C Class sedan.
Not the top-seller
Despite running away with the 2015 World Car of the Year honor, the Mercedes-Benz C Class sedan was not the best-selling vehicle for the year. That award went to the Toyota Corolla.
However, the German medium-sized sedan became the second best-selling car in its class in Australia, second only to the Toyota Camry. It actually bested the likes of the Mazda 6, the Subaru Liberty, the Honda Accord, among other sedans in its class.
Motoring experts believe that the preference for Mercedes-Benz C Class indicate of a shifting market trend, which means luxury car buyers are now going for quality make and topnotch brand more than affordability. Obviously, they have taken on the mindset that they might as well go for the best quality around if they are going for luxury.
A trendsetter
Dr. Dieter Zetsche, head of Mercedes-Benz Cars said that the C Class has always been a trendsetter in the premium medium-size sedan category. He added that the vehicle has all the prerequisites to be a huge success.
The Mercedes-Benz Cars officials explained that when they rolled out the sedan, it was already loaded with qualities really meant for higher-class cars that take into consideration the importance of the environment and technologies that offer comfort and driving pleasure.
Dr. Zetsche also expressed extreme delight for having the Mercedes-Benz C Class named as 2015 World Car of the Year.
The award is also very historic for the German automaker since it is only the first time for Mercedez-Benz to win World Car of the Year honors in the 11-year history of the awards or since 2006.
However, the company has already won in other categories in the past including the Best Sports Car that once went to the Mercedes AMG GT and the Best Luxury Car that was awarded previously to the Mercedes S Coupe.