WORLD CAR NEWS

Trusting you read GoodCarBadCar's wrap-up of recent German and Japanese auto news, you can now turn your attention to the rest of the world.

In the United States of America, the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid was named the Green Car of the Year. The Good Car Guy drove that very vehicle at GM's Milford Proving Grounds weeks ago and wasn't terribly impressed; but admittedly, this version of the Tahoe will use less fuel than regular Tahoe's and be marketed more heavily than other potential winners. The Green Car Journal picked the Tahoe two-mode hybrid over two other GM options (the Malibu and Aura hybrids, similar cars these two), Nissan's hybridized Altima and the Mazda Tribute Hybrid.

Fiat's hot 500, the Cinquecento, has been named European Car of the Year. ECotY comes about decisions in an oddly formulated way, but they sure did get it right this year. Ford's Mondeo finished second in the voting. The Mercedes-Benz C-class was the only other competitor close, but the Nissan Qashqai (Rogue, anyone?), Peugeot 308, Kia Cee'd, and Mazda 2 garnered votesfrom the 58 journalists. The 500 has previously been named the Most Beautiful Car in the world.


Oh, and did I mention that I called this one more than a month ago? Follow that link and read a ton of car news and savour the words, my friends. "Expect the Fiat 500 to win the Car of the Year competition." Renault Clio, Toyota Prius, Fiat Panda, and Renault Megane are the names of 2006, 2005, 2004, and 2003 winners, respectively.


They won't be racing 'round the Taj Majal, but India will host its first Formula 1 race in 2010. The track will be purpose-built to host F1 - which these days means dull to drive and somewhat dull to watch although camera and spectator angles abound. Vijay Mallya started the first Indian F1 team out of the remnants of Spyker recently. Expect a large crowd.