World Car Of The Year: Top Three Finalists Announced

Three finalists of the World Car Of The Year awards are announced. Last year the Lexus LS 460 took the award to home and this year judges have to select between the Ford Mondeo, Mazda2 (a.k.a. Mazda Demio), and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

The three were chosen from the initial list of top ten finalists, which includes the Audi A5/S5, Audi R8, Cadillac CTS, Ford S-Max, Infiniti G37 Coupe, Nissan Qashqai, and Volvo C30. The award is scheduled to be announced at the New York Auto Show on March 20th.

There are also other minor-league awards such as the World Performance Car, World Green Car, and the World Car Design of the Year titles. The three finalists for the World Performance Car award are the Audi R8, Audi S5 Coupé, and BMW M3. The three finalists for the World Green Car award are the BMW 118d with Efficient Dynamics, SmartForTwo cdi, and Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI. The three finalists for the World Car Design of the Year award are the Audi R8, Mazda2 (a.k.a. Mazda Demio), and Volvo C30.

Mazda 2 Sedan Unveiled In China

Mazda will be unveiling the four-door Mazda 2 sedan at Guangzhou Motor Show in China this week.

China is the first market in the world to see the four-door sedan version of the Mazda 2, which originally debuted in Europe as a three-door hatch. The Mazda2 sedan will be produced in China by Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. at its Nanjing plant. Mazda also is introducing a five-door hatchback version of the Mazda2 in China.

Gallery: Mazda 2 Sedan