ALL-NEW Mazda2 has won the 2008 World Car of the Year Award – the prestigious global award recognising the “world’s best car”.
Thirty-nine new vehicles from all parts of the world were entered.
Successful nominations in all categories were announced at the New York International Auto Show.
The Mazda2 edged out the Ford Mondeo and Mercedes-Benz C-Class to take the overall award.
Based on the recommendations of a panel of four design experts, the Mazda2 was also entered onto the shortlist of top three design finalists, together with the Audi R8 and Volvo C30.
The awards were officially launched in January 2004 and are run by automotive journalists from all parts of the world.
A jury of 47 international automotive journalists selected the overall winner by secret ballot.
The jury members are chosen from Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and other parts of the world to ensure a balanced representation.
Since it first went on sale in 2003 in Europe, the Mazda2 compact has enjoyed widespread popularity because of its convenient size and superb storage and functionality.
The second generation all-new Mazda2 was launched in Japan last July and soon drew attention – thanks to its fun-to-drive zoom-zoom driving dynamics and the emphasis Mazda placed on the new generation’s desire for environmental and safety attributes and great design.
The all-new Mazda2 reflects these emerging modern attitudes with stylish exterior design complementing low running costs and excellent fuel economy, achieved by reducing the vehicle's weight by approximately 100 kilograms (European spec).