Kia Cee’d among finalists for 2008 COTY award!

Conceived as a car for Europeans and to be designed and built by Europeans, it has been a company-wide ambition from the moment the silhouette of the cee’d was first drawn on paper to win the European Car of the Year (COTY) award.

And we are happy to announce that we are now one step closer to realizing our goal, as the cee’d was selected among 33 competing models as one of seven vehicles to make the shortlist for the 2008 COTY honour.

The finalists include the Kia cee’d, Fiat 500, Ford Mondeo, Mazda2, Mercedes C-class, Nissan Qashqai and Peugeot 308.

Being among such elite company is a great honour in itself, but this achievement is even more significant as this is the very first time that a Korean brand vehicle has made the COTY shortlist.

The 58 members of the COTY Jury, made up of Europe’s most influential motoring journalists, are now given the task of apportioning 25 points among at least five of the cars and providing a written justification of their choice. The final result will be announced on November 19th, 2007.

With its European origins, 5-Star Euro NCAP safety rating, and revolutionary 7-year warranty, we like the cee’d’s chances! [Source: Kia]