Contest „Car of The Year 2012“ , organized by the club of Autmotive Journalists of Lithuania“ already for the 15th time started on Movember 14th in the conference hall of Ergo Lietuva. 32 new cars are pretending to win the main award - „Car of The Year 2012“ as well as the other nominations.

14 participants took part in the first contest, organized 15 years ago, in autumn 1997. The biggest number of participants , 34, was registered in the year 2008.

Participants of this year’s contest are: „Audi A6 3,0Tdi Q S-tronic“, „Audi Q3 2,0Tdi S-tronic“, BMW 118i, BMW X3 2,0d, „Chevrolet Aveo“, „Chevrolet Orlando“, „Citroen C4“, „Fiat Freemont“, „Ford Focus Titanium“, „Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3,8 V6 A/T“, „Hyundai i40“, „Hyundai ix 20 Premium 1,4 CRDi“, „Hyundai Veloster“, „Honda Accord“, „Honda Jazz“, „Kia Picanto“, „Kia Rio“, „Lexus CT 200h“, „Mercedes Benz B“, „Mercedes Benz ML“, „Peugeot 508“, „Range Rover Evoque Prestige“, „Renault Koleos“, „Seat Alhambra“, „Subaru Forester“, „Suzuki Swift“, „Toyota Yaris“, „Volkswagen Amarok“, „Volkswagen Jetta“, „Volkswagen Passat“, „Volkswagen Tiguan“ ir „Volvo S60 D3 Momentum“.

„Already 2 years the same number of cars, 32, is taking part in the contest. Such business focus to the event and abundance of cars indicates the need of the contest and a big interest from the public., Valdas Valiukevičius, president of the Club of Automotive Journalist of Lithuania, announced during the press conference. – It‘s almost biggest number of cars that car dealers can offer. So, we are almost in the same row as the european contest „Car of the Year 2012“ with 35 participants.“

„Hyunday” and „Volkswagen” authorized car dealers presented the biggest numnber of participants to the contest – 4 cars each. Variuos car model are taking part in teh contest. Starting from simpliest and cheapest, who most of the people can afford, finishing with the most expensive and sofisticated with the price over 200.000 Lt.

10 experts are members of the election committee

All the cars – contestants will be judged by the election consisting of the automotive journalists:

Members of the election commitee are: Gitana Bukauskienė („Laima”), Ramūnas Fetingis („Autopilotas“), Linas Butkus („Playboy“), Renaldas Gabartas („TopGear”), Mindaugas Grinius („Lietuvos rytas”), Dainius Leonavičius (LNK laida „Ne vienas kelyje“), Artūras Pakėnas („Autosportas”), Gediminas Petryla („Autocar“), Ilona Staškutė („Lietuvos žinios“) and Valdas Valiukevičius („Keturi ratai“).

Test camp of the contest will be situated in Druskininkai

Participants of the contest will be examined in Druskininkai surroundings during November 23 – 28. Test camp of the contest will be situated in „Regina” hotel.

The 2nd press conference will take place on December 5th, where the top 7 will be announced.

The final event of the contest will be visible live for everybody on Lithuanian TV

The best „Car of the Year of Lithuania 2012“ will be announced on December 11, during the live broadcast on the Lithuanian TV“

„Car of the Nation“, as well as the other nominations will be delivered as well. „Car of the year“ is being elected over the internet at metuauto.lrytas.lt

Main partners of this year event are : ERGO insurance group, CONTINENTAL tires, and DnB bank.