Detroit 2008: Mazda CX-9 and Chevy Malibu win North American Car and Truck of the Year awards
Last fall, the Chevy Tahoe 2-mode Hybrid won the Green Car of the Year award at the LA Auto Show. The hybrid SUV couldn't pull off a similar victory in today's North American Truck of the Year award at the Detroit Auto Show. Instead, the Mazda CX-9 crossover took top honors, beating the second-place Tahoe in the voting points 201-140. Over on the car side of the aisle, the Chevy Malibu (standard, not the hybrid) won the Car of the Year award with 190 points (beating second-place Cadillac CTS. Does this mean that green issues will take a back seat here in Detroit? It's not an auspicious start, but we will certainly see a healthy dose of green news from the Motor City (as you'll be able to read later today). What this does mean, though, is that the CotY judges appreciate a simple, vanilla sedan as much as anyone.
Gallery: 2008 Chevy Malibu Hybrid
Gallery: EVS23: GM's Malibu and Tahoe hybrids
[Source: NAIAS, Autoblog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Neo 8:47PM (1/14/2008)
It is about time GM put the effort into a Chevrolet to make such a good car.
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steve 10:34PM (1/14/2008)
Chevy needs to get off its need to put the 'chevron strip' across the front of every product it makes. It ruins what would otherwise be clean lines. It is the same paradigm that Dodge uses with its 'cross hatch' front, and Toyota with its 'flying wing'.
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Bill 10:21PM (1/14/2008)
The peoples whom think that these are the cars of the future better look very closley to there actual cost of owning one. To replace the batteries is a cost of about between 3500 hundred to about 5000 dollars depending on the quality of batteries purchased. Dont forget the electric system, it can cost thousands to repair and keep in good working condition, Dont forget water which can get into a electric system and destroy everthing, did you forget about flooded conditions which can short circut your electric powered car. These are the things that the factories whom make these cars dont bother telling you about. Good Luck if you decide to purchase. Bill
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shari 10:30PM (1/14/2008)
We recently were in a dealership and saw the Malibu. This is one BEAUTIFUL car. GM should be proud. Way to go GM. Shari
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jamie 11:31PM (1/14/2008)
i wonder which oil company bill works for.
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Don 12:11AM (1/15/2008)
Bill makes some very good points about future operating costs, but I'd say most owners will trade the car before any major repair work is required. That means the future owners will deal with all that mess. I'm curious to see whether or not the extended warranties offered today will cover future Hybrid repair costs.
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Bama 12:22AM (1/15/2008)
OH, NOW BILL.
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