Last year, Chevrolet swept both Car of the Year and Truck of the Year with the 2016 Camaro and 2016 Colorado. This year, the bowtie brand is back in the hunt, but with a much different contender.
Of the three Chevrolets listed as contenders (2016 Chevrolet Cruze and 2016 Chevrolet Volt, too), the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is by far the game changer of the pack. Motor Trend even went on to say the Bolt EV would be a fantastic vehicle without the full electric propulsion system
The 2017 Bolt EV was lauded for its fun-to-drive characteristics, bar-setting range, interior spaciousness and more affordable price point. However, the lack of a charging network was a peg against the Bolt EV.
The Motor Trend Car of the Year winner will be announced on November 14, 2016.
Comments
The COY is often picked for the one that generates the most interest and for the one that will sell the most magazines. Also there is some influence from the automakers and how much money they spend on advertising.
Autoweek reported a few years back how Motor Trend made their choices.
When I saw the Bolt was in I figured it was a shoe in for winning as it not only picks up many of the automotive readers but also the many Eviro types that will buy the magazine to learn more on the car. Also Chevy has been spending heavy in Motor Trend in advertising.
It will really help in the launch of the car and getting it out there and known.
While many say the Model 3 Tesla is going to trump it. The truth is the Tesla is going to cost much more. The real challenger will be the second gen Leaf as it is going to change much more dramaticly from the science experiment looking model they have now. Until the number come out we will have to wait to see how they do on price and range.
In this I would not be surprised if Chevy is not already working on the third Gen of the Bolt already as this segment will change fast and often with the development money going in.
If the Tesla Motors Model S was the first EV to win the COTY award, then the Bolt EV would be the second!
Good job, GM and Chevy!