Fiat Group Automobiles, through the Alfa MiTo, Fiat Fiorino Qubo and Lancia Delta, is aiming to collect the most important of all honours, the Car of the Year, for the second consecutive year.

With less than a month remaining before a shortlist of just seven is chosen, Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Lancia are all represented in the final entry list, comprising of thirty seven cars, all now bidding to become collect the prestigious title of Car of the Year 2009. With the Fiat 500 having won the Car of the Year 2008 crown, Fiat Group Automobiles, through the Alfa MiTo, Fiat Fiorino Qubo and Lancia Delta, is aiming to collect the most important of all automotive honours for the second consecutive year.

Alfa Romeo's new MiTo coupé, with eye-catching styling inspired by the gorgeous Alfa 8C Competizione, was launched earlier this summer and been widely acclaimed by the media; annual sales are expected to be around 80,000 units. The stylish Lancia Delta was officially presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March and is designed to straddle C/D-segment providing customers with a distinct, spacious and luxurious alternative. Meanwhile the Fiat brand, defending the Car of the Year title this year after winning the most recent edition with the Fiat 500, is represented by the Fiorino Qubo. This passenger-carrying version of the Tofas-built light commercial van also debuted at the Geneva Motor Show this spring, and it is jointly entered in the contest along with the Citroën Nemo and Peugeot Bipper, the three cars being the realisation of a joint project.

A total of 37 cars are eligible for Car of the Year 2009 award. A number that grows bigger when all body versions and derivatives are considered. All of the contenders are new vehicles available in five or more European markets, currently or within a few weeks, and each has the prospect of at least 5,000 yearly sales. The voting process has two stages. The first one will produce a short list of seven nominees, which will be announced on 2 October. The second round will find the single winner that will be made known on November 17, 2008.

The Jury for the Car of the Year 2009 consists of 59 members, representing 23 European countries. National representation on the Jury is related to the size of the country's car market and its importance in car manufacturing. France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain each have six members; other countries, proportionally fewer.

Joining the Alfa MiTo, Fiat Fiorino Qubo and Lancia Delta on the 37-strong list are the Audi A4, Audi Q5, BMW X6, BMW 7-serie, Chevrolet HHR, Chrysler Grand Voyager, Citroën Berlingo/Peugeot Partner, Citroën C5, Citroën Nemo/Peugeot Bipper, Dacia Sandero, Dodge Journey, Ford Fiesta, Ford Kuga, Honda Accord, Honda Jazz, Hyundai H1/i800, Hyundai i10, Jaguar XF, Jeep Cherokee, Mazda6, Mercedes-Benz GLK, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Murano, Opel Agila/Suzuki Splash, Opel Insignia, Renault Kangoo, Renault Koleos, Renault Mégane, Seat Ibiza, Skoda Superb, Subaru Forester, Toyota Land Cruiser 200, Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Scirocco and the Volvo XC60.