21 November 2002: When the 2003 Semperit Irish Car of the Year is announced this lunchtime, it will be joining a list of cars since 1978 which have been chosen by the members of the Irish Motoring Writers Association and invited individuals to its judging panel.

The short list for today's finish is the Citroen C3, Honda Jazz, Mazda 6, Nissan Primera and Opel Vectra. The winner will be announced by the chairman of the IMWA, Tony Conlon, motoring correspondent of the Meath Chronicle and LMFM Radio. The result will be available on IrishCar.Com immediately after the announcement.

The C3 has already won a number of awards in other countries, and the Mazda 6 came a close second in the European Car of the Year 2003 which was won this week by the new Renault Megane.

Previous Irish Car of the Year Winners:

1978. Volkswagen Golf Diesel
1979. Volkswagen Golf Derby
1980. Fiat Ritmo
1981. Ford Escort
1982. Datsun Stanza
1983. Ford Sierra
1984. Fiat Uno
1985. Opel Kadett
1986. Ford Granada
1987. Fiat Croma
1988. Toyota Corolla
1989. Fiat Tipo
1990. Renault 19
1991. Fiat Tempra
1992. Opel Astra
1993. Toyota Carina
1994. Ford Mondeo
1995. Opel Omega
1996. Volkswagen Polo
1997. Peugeot 406
1998. Citroen Xsara
1999. Ford Focus
2000. Toyota Yaris
2001. Opel Corsa
2002. Renault Laguna

If Honda or Mazda win - it's a first for either manufacturer. Japanese cars were winners on four previous occasions. If Opel win they'll join Ford and Fiat at the head of the table on five wins each.

Title winners by manufacturer:

Ford 5, Fiat 5, Opel 4, Toyota 3, Volkswagen 3, Renault 2 and one each for Datsun, Peugeot and Citrroen.

Previous Irish Van of the Year Winners:

1994. Nissan Sunny
1995. Ford Transit
1996. Toyota Hiace
1997. Citroen Berlingo
1998. Mercedes-Benz Vito
1999. Renault Kangoo.
2000. Citroen Xsara Van
2001. Ford Transit
2002. Opel Vivaro/Renault Trafic