Mazda2 named World Car of the Year

updated 5:24 p.m. ET March 20, 2008

NEW YORK - The Mazda2 has been named the World Car of the Year by a panel of international journalists. The award was announced Thursday at the New York International Auto Show.

The compact, two-door Mazda2 also is known as the Mazda Demio. It isn’t sold in the U.S. but is found in Japan, Europe and other markets. A four-door version goes on sale in China this spring.

Ford Motor Co., which owns a third of Mazda Motor Corp., is basing its new Fiesta subcompact on the Mazda2 platform. The Fiesta goes on sale in the U.S. in 2010.

Forty-seven jurors from 24 countries determine the winner based on styling, quality, safety and other factors.

The Ford Mondeo and the Mercedes C-Class were the other nominees.

MORE FROM AUTOS

Autos Section Front

GM reports $1.2 billion third-quarter loss 37 percent of U.S. Saab dealerships to close Ford: New police cruiser to replace Crown Vic Automakers turn to safety to sell cars Texan drives $1 million car into marshes Dirtiest vehicles on America’s highways GM needs new Buick, Chevy entries to be hits IntelliDrive program blends technology, safety Chinese automaker aims to compete globally CEO lays out ambitious Chrysler road map Autos Section Front   Add Autos headlines to your news reader: