Qashqai is Continental Irish Car of the Year 2015

With the winning car are Austin Shinnors, Chairman of the Irish Motoring Writers Association; James McCarthy, CEO of Nissan Ireland; and Tom Dennigan, Continental Tyres Ireland.

The Nissan Qashqai has been voted Continental Irish Car of the Year 2015 by the Irish Motoring Writers’ Association (IMWA). The announcement was made at an awards ceremony today in The Marker Hotel, Grand Canal Square, Dublin, attended by leading figures from the motor industry. The Continental Irish Van of the Year 2015 title was awarded to the Ford Transit.

The Qashqai won with 160 points, from the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (155) and Peugeot 308 (150). The Irish Motoring Writers Association jury awarded points on the basis of criteria ranging from innovation and safety to space, comfort, build quality, driving quality and value for money.

Presenting the award to James McCarthy, CEO of Nissan Ireland, Tom Dennigan of sponsor, Continental Tyres Ireland, said the Irish motoring writers have selected an exciting model to carry the 2015 title. "No doubt the Continental Irish Car of the Year accolade will provide a great badge of honour for the Nissan Qashqai to help it in the competitive Irish market next year.”

Austin Shinnors, Chairman of the IMWA said that the Nissan Qashqai is a great car to join the previous 37 models that have had the privilege to carry the title of Irish Car of the Year.

Other Awards were made in six categories, reflecting the diversified nature of today’s car market in Ireland. The Continental Irish Small Car of the Year is the Hyundai i10; Continental Irish Compact Car of the Year is the Peugeot 308. The Continental Irish Medium Car of the Year is the Nissan Qashqai; the Continental Irish Large Car of the Year is the Nissan X-Trail; the Continental Irish Executive Car of the Year is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class; and the Continental Irish Sports/Performance Car of the Year is the Alfa Romeo 4C.

The Nissan Qashqai succeeds the Citroen C4 Picasso which took the title last year.

Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres Ireland, presenting the trophy for the Continental Irish Van of the Year 2015 to Ciaran McMahon, Managing Director Designate of Ford Ireland; with Austin Shinnors, Chairman, IMWA.

The Irish Motoring Writers' Association has organised the Irish Car of the Year Awards each year for the past 38 years.

The results for the Continental Irish Car of the Year Awards 2015 have been independently reviewed for the Irish Motoring Writers Association (IMWA) by Ernst and Young, Dublin.