The 2010 World Car Awards closed today at the 2010 New York Auto Show->ke226. Taking home the prestigious award for 2010 World Car of the Year was the Volkswagen Polo->ke322 beating out the Mercedes-Benz E-Class->ke373 and the Toyota Prius->ke231. Volkswagen took the majority vote of the 59 World Car jurors after they test drove the 30 entries from July 2009-January 2010. Walter de Silva, head of design Volkswagen Group, attributes this success to the Polo’s “uncomplicated, unique and timeless design plus its high efficiency”. This is Volkswagen’s second triumph in this category with the success of the Volkswagen Golf->ke164 as last year’s World Car of the Year.

"We're honored that the Volkswagen Polo was chosen by this distinguished group of jurors," said Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG. "After the great triumph of the Golf last year, we are delighted to repeat this success with the new Polo. These automobiles have reaped numerous awards, winning well-nigh every prize the automotive industry has to award. This shows Volkswagen is on the right track and is offering arguably the best range of products in its history."

Follow the jump to see the nominees and winners in the other categories of the 2010 World Car Awards.

World Car Design of the Year

- Chevrolet Camaro->ke248-WINNER

- Citroën C3 Picasso

- Kia Soul->ke2186

World Performance Car

- Audi R8 V10-WINNER

- Ferrari California->ke3183

- Porsche 911 GT3

World Green Car

- Volkswagen BlueMotion (Golf, Passat, Polo)-WINNER

- Honda Insight

- Toyota Prius->ke231

Press Release

At the New York International Auto Show in Manhattan today the Volkswagen Polo has been declared the 2010 World Car of the Year.

Merit, value, safety, environment, significance and emotional appeal are the criterias for the World Car of the Year. Already in 2009, a Volkswagen model ranked the highest: the Golf. This year the top three contenders for World Car of the Year title were, in alphabetical order, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the Toyota Prius and the Volkswagen Polo.

"We're honored that the Volkswagen Polo was chosen by this distinguished group of jurors," said Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG. "After the great triumph of the Golf last year, we are delighted to repeat this success with the new Polo. These automobiles have reaped numerous awards, winning well-nigh every prize the automotive industry has to award. This shows Volkswagen is on the right track and is offering arguably the best range of products in its history."

The award was received in New York City on thursday morning by Walter de Silva, head of design Volkswagen Group. „The new Volkswagen Polo generation fascinates both ways - by its uncomplicated, unique and timeless design plus its high efficiency. Already more than 230,000 customers worldwide placed their orders."

Now in their seventh year, the annual World Car awards have become one of the world’s most prestigious, credible and significant programs of its kind. The majority of the 59 World Car jurors from 25 countries throughout the world chose the Polo from 30 entries. Each juror drives and evaluates new vehicles on a regular basis as part of their on-going full-time professional work. Through their respective outlets they collectively reach an audience of many millions worldwide.