A renewed focus on road safety is set to headline this year's Car of the Year (COTY) competition in South Africa, as Old Mutual Insure partners once again with the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) for the prestigious event.
As the third consecutive year of Old Mutual Insure's sponsorship, the insurer is emphasizing road safety in the lead-up to the festive season, a period notorious for high accident rates.
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Jerry Anthonyrajah, Chief Commercial Officer of Old Mutual Insure, highlighted the company's commitment to safer driving practices.
"Road safety is paramount, and our involvement in COTY allows us to champion this cause while celebrating automotive excellence," he said. With the United Nations' goal of halving road fatalities by 2030, the initiative is timely. More than 1 400 road deaths were reported during the 2023/24 festive season, with reckless driving and speeding being the major contributors.
While COTY entrants are evaluated on various factors including design, technology, and performance, this year's competition will also spotlight innovation in vehicle safety. The competition jury, including myself, will soon begin assessing contenders for the 2025 title. The announcement of semi-finalists is expected in December, followed by finalist voting early next year.
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The 2024 COTY winner, the BMW 7 Series, was recognized for its advanced safety features, setting the benchmark for this year’s contenders. Previous winners include the Ford Ranger and Toyota Corolla Cross, with the competition often influencing consumer buying decisions.
Thami Masemola, Chairperson of the 2025 COTY, echoed the importance of road safety, noting both automotive innovation and driver behaviour play a crucial role in reducing accidents. As the competition unfolds, Old Mutual Insure’s parallel road safety campaign is expected to raise awareness and contribute to a safer festive season for all drivers.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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