Voting is now open for the 2015 New Zealand Car of the Year People’s Choice award.

Together with autotrader.co.nz, the AA is offering the public a chance to pick its favourite out of the top 10 finalists for the New Zealand Car of the Year award.

AA Motoring Services General Manager Stella Stocks says the AA is involved in the New Zealand Car of the Year because it’s an opportunity to present Members and motorists generally with good information on what experts consider the best of the best.

“While the New Zealand Car of the Year is selected from new vehicles released in the 12 months to the end of September, there are also 10 best in class awards, the winners of which are selected from any new car in each category on the market today.

“This year, the People’s Choice award takes it a step further by giving everyone the opportunity to have their say. Everyone is different, has different requirements in a car or just specific preferences. So people judge cars in their own ways and I’m pretty keen to see how the top 10 stack up in the minds of voters,” Ms Stocks says.

Members of the New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild vote for both the New Zealand Car of the Year and the Best in Class categories. They make their decisions on a broad range of criteria including value, design and quality.

“However, those selecting their picks for the People’s Choice might have a completely different set of criteria on which they make their decision, so it will be interesting to see how it all finishes up.”

The New Zealand Car of the Year People’s Choice is run in conjunction with the AA and autotrader.co.nz, owned by Bauer Media Group.

Bauer Trader General Manager Terry Williams King says the business is proud to be part of an event that recognises excellence in the New Zealand motoring industry.

“Cars are our passion at Auto Trader. We’ve been dedicated to car buyers and sellers for more than 35 years so people’s choice is really what we’re all about. Supporting the People’s Choice award is a positive nod to all the people we do business with.”

Those who vote in the People’s Choice have the choice of winning one of many spot prizes and also go into the draw to win a grand prize of a nine day Pacific island hopping cruise departing from and returning to Auckland.

The top 10 finalists for the New Zealand Car of the Year and People’s Choice are:

• Audi Q7
• BMW i3
• Ford Mondeo
• Hyundai Tucson
• Land Rover Discovery Sport
• Mazda2
• Mazda CX-3
• Mazda MX-5
• Subaru Legacy/Outback
• Volvo XC90

People’s Choice voting opened on 1 November and closes on 30 November.

The winning vehicle will be announced at the New Zealand Car of the Year at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland on 9 December.