The Nissan X-Trail, Isuzu Crosswind, Honda Civic, Kia Carens, Hyundai Grand Starex, Kia Sorento, Nissan Teana, and the Toyota Vios. From economy sub-compact to multi-role sports utility vehicle to veritable people-mover, quite a varied line-up of the riding and car-owning public’s choices for the “Auto Focus Automobile of the Year” have emerged throughout past the past eight years. Which brand and model will emerge at the top and be crowned as the ninth winner of the coveted “2013-2014 Auto Focus Automobile of the Year” award?

Sunshine Television (STV), organizer of this annual program to determine the Philippines’ most popular automobiles, is set to launch anew the “2013-2014 Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards” (AFPCA). It is the country’s only award system for the automotive industry that determines the winning models based on a unique selection process that combines on-line public votes and unit sales.

“As in the previous year, both on-line votes from the nationwide public poll and year-to-date unit sales will be the key determining factors on which the overall Selection Process is based. The opportunity for the public to have a direct hand in determining the winners via the on-line poll provides the AFPCA a unique merit system for the automotive industry. At the same time, combining this with a Unit Sales component recognizes the fact that buying a particular model is an individual car owner’s ultimate expression of choice.” as explained by Ray Butch Gamboa, STV’s Chairman & CEO.

Gamboa further added: “Another main purpose of the 2013 on-line poll is to ensure voter interest throughout the 3-month poll period from July 1 – September 30. This is why a registered voter will now be able to vote once a week rather than just a single time. This provides participants with multiple opportunities, a maximum of 13 chances to vote whichever way they choose. As we noted before, there were voters who wanted to select more than one model as his pick for a particular category or award. Now, they can more readily opt for several picks instead of just one throughout the course of the on-line poll. ”

The on-line poll will be again be hosted on a dedicated AFPCA page on a popular social networking site. After a simple procedure of “Liking” the page and registration, the voter will be prompted and guided through a convenient process of selecting individual models in the designated categories, and from these, choosing a particular model as the “Automobile of the Year” pick. Within 15 seconds, any submitted vote will appear on the Results Page which will rank Total Scores accordingly. This tally can also be publicly viewed on the AFPCA web-site at www.autofocus.com.ph. Like last year, a 40% weight factor on on-line votes will be applied in calculating a particular model’s total score.

For Unit Sales, a value of 60% will be factored in. STV will again work hand-in-hand with the Stradcom Corporation, to create and use a data base of new motor vehicles reported as sold by dealers to LTO Regional & District Offices via the Manufacturers, Assemblers, Importers, Dealers Reporting System module of the LTO IT System. No second-hand or grey market vehicle will be included in the count which will factor in monthly unit sales from January thru end September of 2013.

On tap are “AFPCA Model of the Year” awards in such categories as: Subcompact, midsize and  large sedans; sports/performance cars; multi-purpose vehicles (previously termed AUV’s); pickups; vans; compact, mid-size & large sports untily vehicles (SUV’s) and an Open category for models that cannot be classified in the preceding classes. There will be separate “Luxury” classifications in model categories with significantly distinct pricing scales. From these categories, which currently comprise over 140 base models, will emerge the popular pick for the key “AFPCA Automobile of the Year” award.

A tandem component of STV’s annual industry merit program, the “2013-2014 Auto Focus Media’s Choice Awards” or the AFMCA will also get underway. Involving the motoring media, the AFMCA has also increasingly gained stature within the auto industry since it was first held in 2008. Awards are voted on by the media for performance and features based categories such as: engine performance; safety features; on-board entertainment set-up; value-for-money; and design. These have provided the public with additional reference in opting for particular models to buy.

Gamboa said: “The results of this program arise from more learned and knowledgeable choices, from people who actually evaluate and test-drive various models available in the market. As such, we felt they were in an ideal position to review the categorization of individual makes and place these into more rational model categories. We thus sought their counsel and recommendations. The Awards Committee will strongly consider these when finalizing the Official Entry List for both the AFMCA and AFPCA for 2013-2014.”

On the 5th of October, STV will invite the motoring media to convene and make their picks on specific auto performance and feature categories at the “AFMCA Voting Day” at the Valle Verde Country Club.

Come October 18, the movers and shakers of the Philippine automotive industry will gather for the culminating Awards Night during which the final winners of the 9th AFPCA and the 6th AFMCA editions will be officially known and proclaimed.