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Car of the Year: Mazda2

Compact gets top world honors at New York auto show

By Laurel Jorgensen,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 21, 2008 6:54 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The compact Mazda2 took top honors as World Car of the Year yesterday at the International Auto Show in New York, the Detroit News reports. The car, also known as the Demio in some countries, earned accolades from a panel of international journalists for its combination of performance and price. US customers can only look though—it's not available in this country.

The two-door car is sold in Europe and Japan, and a four-door version goes on sale in China this spring. Other finalists were the Ford Mondeo and the Mercedes Benz C-Class. In othe categories, the Audi R8 Supercar won for design and performance, the first time a single car has won in multiple categories. The top green car is the BMW118d.

Mazda Motor Corp. President Hisakazu Imaki poses with the automaker's redesigned Demio, also known as the Mazda2, as he launches the car in the Japanese market in 2007.
Mazda Motor Corp. President Hisakazu Imaki poses with the automaker's redesigned Demio, also known as the Mazda2, as he launches the car in the Japanese market in 2007.   (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)
Mazda Motor Corp. President Hisakazu Imaki poses with the automaker's redesigned Demio, also known as the Mazda2, as he launches the car in the Japanese market in 2007.
Mazda Motor Corp. President Hisakazu Imaki poses with the automaker's redesigned Demio, also known as the Mazda2, as he launches the car in the Japanese market in 2007.   (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)
The Mercedes-Benz C Class model was one of the top contenders for the World Car of the Year title.
The Mercedes-Benz C Class model was one of the top contenders for the World Car of the Year title.   (AP Photo/Mercedes)
The Ford Mondeo was in the running for the top prize at the New York International Auto Show.
The Ford Mondeo was in the running for the top prize at the New York International Auto Show.   (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
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Mazda • Ford • Audi • BMW • auto show • Detroit Auto Show • New York International Auto Show • World Car of the Year • Mazda2 • Audi R8 Suerpcar • Mercedes-Benz

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