At a press conference hosted by the MIDWAY GROUP, Mobil 1 and the New York International Auto Show at the Jacob Javitz Centre in Manhattan, New York, the Mazda2/Mazda Demio was declared the 2008 World Car of the Year.

The Mazda2/Mazda Demio was chosen from an initial entry list of thirty-nine (39) entries nominated by forty-seven (47) World Car jurors from twenty-four (24) countries throughout the world. Each juror was appointed by the World Car Steering Committee on the basis of his or her expertise, experience, credibility, and influence. Each juror typically drives and evaluates new vehicles on a regular basis as part of their professional work.

WCOTY jurors observed that, “This fresh Mazda compact makes the first-generation one-box-ish Mazda2/Demio fade into the mists of time even more so. The new version is exactly that – completely new; particularly on the outside. The two-door sportier look was recently unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show and reviews around the world have been primarily one big ‘thumbs up’. Consumers will be drawn to the new Mazda compact because of its very appealing looks and high levels of standard equipment for the price”.

The top three contenders for 2008 World Car of the Year title were, in alphabetical order, the Ford Mondeo, the Mazda2/Mazda Demio and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

“We are honored to receive this prestigious award recognizing the Mazda2/Mazda Demio as the 2008 World Car of the Year”,,” said Dan Morris, Mazda’s senior managing executive officer in charge of Marketing, Sales and Customer Service. “This is wonderful recognition which Mazda2 car owners and Mazda employees alike can celebrate worldwide.

“The all-new Mazda2 is exceeding our highest expectations, demonstrating it can compete and win against the best compact cars in any market in the world and is earning glowing praise at home and globally, having also won a number Car of the Year awards around the globe, including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, New Zealand, and the RJC Car of the Year award in Japan.”

Previous World Car of the Year winners were the Lexus LS460 in 2007, the BMW 3-Series in 2006 and the Audi A6 in 2005.

The 2008 World Performance Car award, presented by Mobil 1, went to the Audi R8. Candidates for the World Performance Car award must demonstrate a specific and overt Sports/Performance orientation. They must also satisfy the same availability criteria as for the overall World Car award and may be chosen from that list of eligible vehicles.

Additional entrants may include newly introduced variants that satisfy the same criteria, but are derived from existing rather than brand-new models. In all cases, they must have a minimum annual production rate of five-hundred (500) vehicles.

“Last year, the Audi RS 4 won the World Performance Car award and we are thrilled to have retained the title with the Audi R8,” said Johan De Nysschen, Executive Vice President of Audi of America. “This award is recognition for the superb work done by the engineers and designers who worked on the R8. It has immediately taken up a leadership position in the super sports car segment. We are also delighted that the World Car of the Year jurors voted the Audi S5 into the top three.”

Mobil 1 announced its sponsorship of the World Performance Car award in November 2007. “Mobil 1 has long been recognized as the world’s leading fully synthetic motor oil by authorities, such as vehicle engineers, manufacturers and car enthusiasts. We understand the value and honor of being singled out and acknowledged as a global leader noted for outstanding and superior performance in lubrication,” said Nancy Carlson, strategic global alliances – sales director, ExxonMobil Lubricants & Petroleum Specialties. “The Mobil 1 team was pleased to sponsor the 2008 Performance Car of the Year award and congratulates the Audi R8 on the achievement of being named the 2008 world’s top performance car by the global panel of renowned automotive journalists serving on the Car of the Year jury.”

Previous World Performance Car winners were the Audi RS4 in 2007 and the Porsche Cayman S in 2006.

The BMW 118d with Efficient Dynamics was declared the 2008 World Green Car.

“BMW is very excited that the BMW 118d with Efficient Dynamics won the World Green Car title,” said Tom Purves, Chairman and CEO of BMW of North America. “The measures that we’ve implemented within our Efficient Dynamics strategy into every BMW mean that we’re able to provide customers with the driving pleasure they expect from a BMW, while still meeting the stringent requirements for fuel-efficiency and low emissions.”

Jurors felt that BMW’s EfficentDynamics technology, as applied to the 118d, comprises a range of features and improvements with the specific purpose of reducing fuel consumption and lowering emissions. Its 143-hp, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, with third-generation common-rail fuel injection, piezo-injectors, and up to 2,000 bar injection pressure is said to reduce fuel consumption by up to eight percent.

The top three contenders for the third annual World Green Car in addition to the BMW 118d with Efficient Dynamics were the Mercedes-Benz Smart fortwo cdi and the Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI.

Previous World Car winners were the Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec in 2007 and the Honda Civic Hybrid in 2006.

The Audi R8 was declared the 2008 World Car Design of the Year. Cars eligible for the 2008 World Car Design of the Year award are taken from the list of thirty-nine (39) World Car candidates nominated by forty-seven (47) World Car jurors from twenty-four (24) countries throughout the world.

A design panel consisting of four highly respected world design experts asked to first review each candidate, and then establish a short-list of recommendations for the jurors. The design experts were:

. Silvia Baruffaldi: Managing Editor, Auto & Design magazine

. Robert Cumberford: design critic, Automobile and Auto & Design magazines

. Akira Fujimoto: Editor-in-Chief, Car Styling magazine.

. Tom Matano: Executive Director, School of Industrial Design, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, USA

Jurors then voted on the expert’s recommendations. The top three design finalists were, in alphabetical order, the Audi R8, the Mazda2 / Mazda Demio and the Volvo C30.

The World Car Design of the Year category, and the corresponding award, is meant to highlight new vehicles with innovation and style that push established boundaries.

The World Car jurors praised Audi for “..transforming the sports car landscape”. “The R8 design is striking, original and full of interesting details, from the nose strakes to the much discussed vertical ‘blade’ behind the B pillar”. World Car design expert, Tom Matano, commented, “It is a great visual representation of the technology within…a complete package of Techno-Iconic Design”. The R8 looks just as good as it performs, which is saying something. In design consultant Robert Cumberford’s opinion, the Audi is a “real tour de force in style, performance and practicality.”

Previous winners of the World Car Design of the Year award were the Audi TT in 2007 and the Citroen C4 in 2006.

Now in their fifth year, the annual World Car awards have become one of the most prestigious and credible programs of their type in the world.

The awards were inaugurated in 2003, and officially launched in January 2004, to reflect the reality of the global marketplace, as well as to recognize and reward automotive excellence on an international scale. The awards are intended to complement, not compete, with existing national and regional Car of the Year programs.

The awards are administered by a non-profit association, under the guidance of a Steering Committee of pre-eminent automotive journalists from Asia, Europe, and North America. There is no affiliation with, nor are the awards in any way influenced by any publication, auto show, automaker, or other commercial enterprise.

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Today is the first day of spring, so as our thoughts turn to things getting a bit greener, here are some tips to help develop some “greener” driving habits:

• Avoid unnecessary driving. Plan trips wisely with efficient routes and stops.
• Keep your car well maintained. Follow your vehicle’s service manual and get regular oil changes.
• Ensure proper tire maintenance, tread and inflation. A properly inflated tire can increase gas mileage 10 percent to 30 percent. (Ideal inflation should be listed on the sidewall of the tire.)
• Tighten the gas cap after every fill-up. A loose, cracked or missing gas cap can emit harmful emissions and reduce gas mileage.
• Avoid stop-and-go traffic. Try to drive at off-peak times.
• Limit idling. Idling for more than 10 seconds uses more gas and causes more pollution than simply restarting your engine.
• Select the most efficient vehicle for your lifestyle.
• Get regular emissions tests. Most places require you to get your car “smogged” before you can sell or register it.
• Consider getting a green vehicle, such as a hybrid.
• Never drive for a long time with an illuminated “Check Engine” light. It can mean a problem that’s harmful to the environment and your car, yet more than 8 percent of all vehicles on the road today do so. Adopted as a government mandate to lower emissions, the “Check Engine” light illuminates when a vehicle’s computer detects a problem that affects emissions output. All 1996 and newer cars, light trucks, SUVs and minivans manufactured for use in the U.S. have this technology.
• Make sure your car or truck is in optimal running condition. One way is to periodically test for emissions-related problems.

A recently introduced diagnostic tool provides drivers with a fast, convenient solution for monitoring their vehicles’ health, particularly with regard to “Check Engine” light issues. Called CarMD, it combines an easy-to-use, handheld tester with an unprecedented online database to give consumers information that, until now, only mechanics could access. The consumer-friendly information describes potential problems, estimated repair costs and more. It even tells you if your vehicle will pass an emissions (smog) test.

CarMD helps keep your vehicle running cleaner and more efficiently by detecting problems with your emissions system. By identifying misfires, catalytic converter problems or even a loose gas cap, drivers can pinpoint the problem, improve gas mileage and reduce emissions output.
For more information, visit www.CarMD. com or call 1-888-MyCarMD.
Keep your car well maintained and get regular emissions tests.

• • •
CarMax, the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, reports the color black has topped the list as the most popular color for vehicle searches conducted on carmax.com in February.
“We find color choice is a very important consideration for customers when car shopping,” said Mark Simmons, Purchasing Manager in San Diego, California. “I am not surprised that black tops the list. The color black looks good on nearly every make and model.”
Used car shoppers’ top five color choices for online searches in February were:

Color Choice Percent of Searches
1. Black 36
2. White 17
3. Blue 11
4. Red 10
5. Silver 9
Other colors of interest to online shoppers included gray (6 percent), green (4 percent) and yellow (2 percent).

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Algae bloom prompts closing three bays to shellfish harvesting, recall issued
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has closed Aransas, Corpus Christi and Copano bays to shellfish harvesting and has issued a recall of oysters, clams and mussels because of an algae bloom.
DSHS officials say high concentrations of the Dinophysis organism have been found in several locations in the area. The toxin produced by this algae bloom, okadaic acid, can accumulate in shellfish tissue and cause diarrhetic shellfish poisoning, or DSP, in people who consume oysters, clams or mussels.
Cooking does not destroy the toxin. Shellfish harvested from these bays March 1 or later are included in the recall. Consumers who purchased shellfish March 1 or later are advised not to eat them. People should either call the store where the shellfish were purchased to determine the date and location of harvest or dispose of them. The toxin does not affect other seafood.
DSHS officials say that preliminary test results indicate that levels of okadaic acid in oyster samples taken from the bays exceed federal guidelines. Final test results will be available next week. DSHS will monitor and determine when it is safe to reopen the shellfish areas.
DSP symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and cramping. Symptoms, which usually last two to three days, can begin from 30 minutes to 12 hours after eating shellfish containing the toxin. DSP usually is not life threatening and does not generally cause long-term effects. DSHS is not aware of any illnesses associated with this algae bloom.
Dinophysis occurs naturally in ocean waters and estuaries and is not related to pollution. Typically it is not found in high numbers along the Texas Gulf Coast. High concentrations can turn the water an orange or brown color. DSHS officials say they know of no health issues associated with people being in water containing the algae.

• • •
Move to Daylight Savings Time Increases Risk of Drowsy Driving
As clocks spring ahead for the start of daylight savings time, roads and highways throughout the nation become a bit more dangerous, according to the National Road Safety Foundation, Inc., a non-profit group that provides free driver safety programs including it’s newest, called “Recognizing the drowsy driver.”
“The change throws off our internal clock, and it can take as long as two weeks for our bodies to adjust,” says Adele Kristiansson, director of marketing and legislative affairs at the National Road Safety Foundation.
“Drowsiness is a condition most drivers fail to recognize, and it can be as dangerous as drinking and driving,” she adds. “Studies show 60 percent of us have driven while feeling fatigued, and more than a third admit to having fallen asleep at the wheel in the past year. Drowsiness is a factor in a substantial number of traffic crashes.”
Experts list several signs that should warn a driver to stop and rest:
• Difficulty focusing, with frequent blinking.
• Daydreaming or not remembering the last few miles driven.
• Head nodding.
• Repeated yawning or rubbing eyes.
• Drifting out of your lane, tailgating or hitting shoulder rumble strips.
If you experience any of these warning signs, pull over at the next exit or a safe rest area and take a break or a 20-minute nap. Have a cup or two of coffee or caffeinated snacks and allow 30 minutes for the caffeine to enter your bloodstream. Don’t drink alcohol or take medication.
Sleep-induced crashes are often very serious, since the driver does not take evasive or corrective action as the vehicle loses control.
Over the past 40 years, the National Road Safety Foundation has produced films and teaching materials that have been used to train millions of young drivers about the dangers of drinking and driving, speeding and aggressive driving. The Foundation’s newest program, “Recognizing the Drowsy Driver,” is available free by calling 1-800-SAFEPATH or visit www.nationalroadsafety.org to download it and other driver safety programs.

Dodge swung through Big D today showing off their newest Ram pickup (set to go on sale this fall) and a new Crossover Utility Vehicle, Journey.

Texas is Dodge’s No. 1 truck market and Dallas leads the way in Ram sales (with the “Rocket-heads” bringing up second). The folks at Dodge brought a preview of the 2009 Ram 1500 Crew Cab model for the automotive media March 12 at the Dallas Contemporary Museum of Art. As “video art” ran continuously on the adjoining walls, the Dodge truck team members on hand gave us a rundown of the significant changes being made to their half-ton pickup model.
Highlights include the all-new Crew Cab configuration, restyled front fascia taking design cues from the Charger line, new bed and tailgate design with Ram Box (lockable dry storage compartments in the bed rails), new rear suspension design utilizing multi-link coil spring design and outboard shock mounting along with a completely madeover interior.
And that great HEMI engine will boast more power than ever while bumping fuel economy up nearly 5 percent.

The Dodge Journey is arriving now in showrooms and is the first true CUV offered by the automaker. Journey is designed for the crowd that desires the functionality of a minivan but wants the driving experience of a sedan. Target customers include the “empty-nester” crowd (whose children have gotten married and started families of their own) and the 25-35 young family segment who need a vehicle to reflect their active lifestyles and growing family size.
Highlights of this new model include rear side doors that swing open 90 degrees, a third-row seat option for seating up to seven, available all-wheel-drive, standard three-row side curtain airbags and all of the latest electronic goodies including navigation and rear seat DVD.
Pricing starts at just under 20 grand and choice of four- or six-cylinder engine is offered.

WASHINGTON — Ford Motor Co. is recalling about 100,000 2008 F-Series trucks because the front driver’s seat does not conform with federal standards.

Ford says the weld connecting a bracket and the driver’s front seat back could crack on a small number of vehicles. As a result, the vehicles do not comply with federal rules for seat back strength.

The recall covers F-250 through F-550 Super Duty trucks. More than 87,000 of the trucks are in the United States and 14,000 are in Canada.

Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood said Thursday that no injuries have been reported. Ford discovered the issue after receiving reports of the weld cracking.

Owners will be notified of the recall later in March. For more information, owners can call Ford at (800) 392-3673.

FORT WORTH, Texas (March 4, 2008) – Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage has given NASCAR an open invitation for further testing in preparation for the TMS debut of the new Sprint Cup Series car at the upcoming Samsung 500.

The new Sprint Cup Series car, formerly known as the “Car of Tomorrow,” is making its first appearance at 1.5-mile ovals this season, and Gossage would like to provide additional testing time after watching the car’s debut at Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s 1.5-mile oval this past weekend. There was an abundance of on-track incidents during practice and qualifying, a track-record 11 cautions on race day and some driver concerns regarding their April 4-6 visit to Texas Motor Speedway for the Samsung 500 race week.

“NASCAR made the move to the new car to further improve two key elements of the sport – driver safety and competition – and they have done an outstanding job,” Gossage said. “Whenever there is change, there is always a transition period with some issues or obstacles. I am a huge supporter of this car and have already found the car to be more exciting and competitive than the old car.”

For the time being, however, Gossage is encouraging NASCAR to give the competitors an additional opportunity to test at Texas Motor Speedway prior to the Samsung 500 because the only testing on the 1.5-mile, high-banked oval came in the form of a two-day Goodyear tire test Jan. 1516 with Juan Pablo Montoya and Clint Bowyer. Gossage is open to a test session in the coming weeks, opening the speedway Wednesday (April 2) of race week for a practice session or expanding the race week schedule Thursday (April 3) to add a Cup practice to the Nationwide Series’ practice and qualifying for the O’Reilly 300.

“My concern is that they did have an open test at Las Vegas and still had a record number of cautions, including three serious crashes involving former Cup champions,” Gossage said. “We only have had a two-car Goodyear test so we could see a lot of crashes, and that causes me concern. I’m sure the teams would like as much data and track time as possible to reach that comfort level with the car and its performance at our speedway.” Gossage’s concern was heightened by comments this past weekend at Las Vegas by fourtime series champion Jeff Gordon and defending Samsung 500 champion Jeff Burton regarding the challenges they face at Texas.

“I think Texas will be the toughest track we go to with this car, [and] it’s already a tough race track,” Gordon said. “And when you look at the transitions, the vertical loads, the bumps and the speeds, it’s probably going to be closer to this track [Vegas] than to any other track we go to. And we’ll try to go with all that we know. We’ll try to engineer and do the science and the math and everything, and try to figure out how much travel we’re going to get and the loads that we’re going to get based on past experience and being there. The biggest challenge we’re going to have with the Impala going forward this year is going to tracks that we haven’t tested at and been to and gotten the data and the laps with the telemetry.”

“I think there are a lot of challenges at Texas. Maybe more so than here [Vegas]; Texas is a little rougher,” Burton added. “With this car, the bumps seem to be a pretty major issue so I think Texas is going to be quite a challenge with this car. Some teams are going to hit and some teams aren’t. The success we were able to do there last year; none of that works. None of that information will be worth a hoot, so it’s starting all over again.”

Track time, whether in an additional test session or during Samsung 500 practices, will be critical to finding success at Texas Motor Speedway.

“Data is data. If you’ve got any at all, it’s a good thing,” Gordon said. “Would we have been better off going someplace else [for an open test]? Maybe Texas or something. Yeah, maybe.”

“It makes it [practice] exceptionally important,” said Burton, the only two-time Cup winner at Texas Motor Speedway. “The key to our sport is taking the time that you have to do anything that you are doing, and doing it efficiently. If you have an hour practice, you have to use that hour of practice better than your competition. And the teams that can do that are the teams that continually have success. Being efficient with your time is really important. That’s going to be like 2that all year with this car. Well, it’s like that with every car, but I think it’s going to be even more important because we’re trying to learn so much in a short time.”

The Samsung 500 race week, which also includes the O’Reilly 300 Nationwide Series race Saturday, April 5, kicks off for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams Friday, April 4 with opening practice and The Dallas Morning News Qualifying Day.

Tickets remain available for The Dallas Morning News Qualifying Days, O’Reilly 300 Nationwide Series race and Samsung 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event. For more information, contact the ticket office at (817) 215-8500 or visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com.

Talk about a great way to blast through all that snow they are threatening us with tonite – Land Rover sends me their 2008 Range Rover Sport – in supercharged form no less.
We tested these in Moab, Utah when they were first introduced – simply awesome. Bring it on Mother Nature…