Mitsubishi, Mercedes Benz win big in the 2019 Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards

MANILA: Mitsubishi won big at the recently concluded Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards (AFPCA) held last Wednesday evening, October 16, 2019, at the Ballroom of the Palms Country Club in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Mitsubishi Xpander, the most sought-after multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) won the coveted “Standard Automobile of the Year” award with a score of 3,368.8, a narrow win from its biggest contender, the Toyota Hilux pickup that garnered 3,203.2 points. The Mitsubishi Xpander also won the “Model of the Year” award in the MPV/Van category.

For the Premium/Luxury Automobile of the Year Award, Toyota Alphard was a runaway winner. The Alphard also won the “MPV/Van of the Year." A fifth for Toyota’s top-selling premium/luxury model which makes it eligible to enter the elite circle of the Auto Focus Model of the Year Hall of Fame.

Mercedes Benz dominated in the Premium/Luxury category. The German automaker bagged several awards: 

• "2019 Premium/Luxury Sedan of the Year" for the Mercedes Benz E-Class
• “Premium/Luxury Best Safety Features” for the Mercedes Benz C-Class in compact sedan category
• "Premium/Luxury SUV/Crossover of the Year" for Mercedes Benz G/GLA Class

The Mercedes Benz A-Class also dominated the Premium/Luxury subcompact sedan category winning the titles of Best Design, Best Safety Features, and Best Value-for-Money.

Other notable winners are: 

• Toyota Wigo awarded as the” 2019 Sedan of the Year” for the second consecutive year
• Dodge Challenger SRT won "Premium/Luxury Sports Car of the Year"
• Toyota Rush as "SUV/Crossover of the Year”
• Nissan GT-R as "Sports Car of the Year”
• A fifth win for Nissan Navara as "Pickup of the Year." The Navara will join the Alphard in the Auto Focus Model of the Year Hall of Fame.

The AFPCA is an annual public poll organized by Sunshine Television (STV) that aims to recognize the most popular automobile brands and models in the country. This year’s awards night was attended by top executives of the Philippines’ major car manufacturers and distributors, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and the Association of Vehicle Importers & Distributors (AVID), and motoring media professionals.  

Also read: Mitsubishi Xpander: Features we like