The first-ever Women’s World Car of the Year awards were prresented in London last week — with Kiwi racing driver, Paul Radisich, as a guest of honour — before an audience of media, the motor industry, the British events industry and diplomats from the countries of the judges.

Songstress Camilla Kerslake opened proceedings with her Italian version of ‘Rule The World’.

From left - Helene Griffiths, a jury member from South Africa with the South African-inspired supreme trophy, Lyn Chalinor accepting the award on behalf of Jaguar Cars in London and Sandy Myhre from New Zealand, the chief judge of the awards.

Women’s World Car of the Year certificates were presented to category winners — Audi TTS (sports car), Volvo XC60 (family car), Jaguar XF (luxury car) and Volkswagen Golf diesel (economy car).

“The concept of an international women’s world car award, chosen by women motoring writers from around the world, has taken eighteen months to come to fruition,” said chief judge, New Zealand writer, Sandy Myhre.

“We started these awards simply because we felt there was a need for the collective voice of women to be heard since the majority of cars of the year or the favourite cars of motoring magazines or newspapers are chosen by men.

“The interesting thing is that no-one predicted women would choose the Jaguar XF as their first supreme winner.

“Industry pundits thought we would select the so-called ubiquitous shopping basket so hopefully our awards will educate the motor industry and, in fact, the advertising industry, and signal that women can and do have significant influence in the purchase of a car.”

The judges present in London for this event were Caroline Carver (UK), Helene Griffiths (South Africa)), Lou Ann Hammond (USA), Henny Hemmes (the Netherlands) and Sandy Myhre (New Zealand).

Three new judges — from South Africa, the Netherlands and the USA — have been added to the jury panel for this year’s awards.