(December 2, 2013) The 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was named 2014 China Car of the Year at an award ceremony during the Guangzhou Auto Show today. “The decision reaffirms the model’s stature and position in China, its top market worldwide,” said Nicholas Speeks, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz China.

This was the first year of the China Car of the Year award. There was a long list of hopefuls, with 53 candidates eligible for the honor. The S-Class was chosen from the initial entry list, the shortlist of seven, and the three finalists: the Land Rover Range Rover, the Chang’an Ford Mondeo, and the S-Class. The China Car Award jurors observed that “there's no other car like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class: it’s not only setting the benchmark for the industry, but it also embodies the peak of modern cars in this era.”

The Porsche 918 Spyder won the China Performance Car of the Year title. The prize was received by Director of Technics 918 Spyder, Michael Höscher, who stated that he is “glad to bring this award from China back to his 918 development team in Germany, as without them we wouldn’t have won the China Performance Car of the Year Award.” The jurors observed that “its outstanding performance is undoubtedly unmatched in the automotive industry. The philosophy of applying e-hybrid technology to a racing car is the real essence of this car.”

The Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid won the China Green Car of the Year title. The Chang’an PSA DS5 won the China Car of the Year Design Award.

To be eligible for the China Car of the Year awards, the candidates must become available for sale in China during the period beginning Oct.1, 2012 and ending Sept. 30, 2013.

Vehicles are selected and voted on by a juror panel comprised of 10 automotive editors-in-chief from 10 different Chinese car magazines. Each juror was appointed by the C-Club on the basis of their expertise, experience, credibility, and influence. Each juror typically drives and evaluates new vehicles on a regular basis as part of their professional work. Through their respective outlets they collectively reach an audience of many millions.