Posts Tagged ‘Green Car Journal’
Green Car Journal Announces Finalists for 2016 Green SUV of the Year™
Green Car Journal has announced its five finalists for the prestigious 2016 Green SUV of the Year™ award to be presented at the 2016 Washington Auto Show. Finalists include the BMW X1 xDrive28i, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-3, and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
“After years of focus on building more efficient and environmentally positive sedans and hatchbacks, a growing emphasis is now being placed on SUVs and crossover vehicles, one of the hottest segments in the auto market,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal and CarsOfChange.com. “The Green SUV of the Year™ award recognizes this achievement.”
The Finalists:
BMW X1 XDRIVE28i
The all-new, second generation BMW X1 xDrive28i is a premium compact crossover featuring new powertrain and chassis technology that promises the driving experience expected of a BMW. Power is delivered by a 228 horsepower, 2.0-liter EfficientDynamics engine and 8-speed automatic transmission, providing the X1 xDrive28i an EPA estimated 32 highway mpg.
HONDA HR-V
Honda’s new HR-V crossover blends the functionality of an SUV with the sporty styling of a coupe. Built on the Fit platform but with a longer wheelbase and larger exterior dimensions, it’s powered by a 141 horsepower, 1.8-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine offering up to 35 highway mpg. Like the Fit, it features Honda’s fold-flat second row “Magic Seat’ for interior versatility.
HYUNDAI TUCSON
The stylish new Hyundai Tucson is longer, wider, and offers greater interior volume than the model that preceded it, yet it also achieves better fuel efficiency. It’s powered by either a 2.0-liter four-cylinder or a new turbocharged 1.6-liter four, with the latter producing 175 horsepower and achieving up to 33 highway mpg in the Tucson Eco model.
MAZDA CX-3
Mazda’s all-new CX-3 crossover features smart styling and benefits from this automaker’s full range of efficiency-focused SKYACTIV technologies. It’s available in both front- and all-wheel drive. The CX-3 is comfortable, capable, and responsive, getting its power from a 146 horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that achieves up to 35 highway mpg.
TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID
The Toyota RAV4 expands its offerings this year with a new all-wheel drive hybrid model. It’s powered by a 154 horsepower, 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with electric motors front and rear. This combination provides more power than the standard RAV4 plus increased efficiency, with EPA estimates of 34/31 city/highway mpg and 33 mpg combined.
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The Green SUV of the Year™ winner will be honored along with winning vehicles for the magazine’s 2016 Luxury Green Car of the Year™ and 2016 Connected Green Car of the Year™ awards at a press conference during the Washington Auto Show’s Policy Days on January 21, 2016. The BMW i8 won the 2015 Luxury Green Car of the Year™ award last year while the Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel earned top honors as the 2015 Green SUV of the Year™. The all-new 2016 Connected Green Car of the Year™ award recognizes the vehicle that best integrates the advantages of connected technologies with environmental performance.
“As the central address where the auto industry meets public policy, The Washington Auto Show recognizes the critical role of sustainability and our role in promoting progress,” said Geoff Pohanka, chairman, The Washington Auto Show, washingtonautoshow.com. “Partnering with Green Car Journal galvanizes those issues front and center.”
About Green Car Journal
The award-winning Green Car Journal has focused on the intersection of automobiles, energy, and environment since its launch in 1992. As part of its mission, the magazine hosts events, produces ride-and-drives of advanced and clean fuel vehicles, and conducts various outreach efforts to educate consumers on better and more environmentally positive vehicle choices. The magazine’s content is featured online at www.CarsOfChange.com.
About WANADA and the Washington Auto Show
Produced by the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA), The Washington Auto Show provides an opportunity to explore the latest cars, technologies, and innovations in safety and sustainability, from clean diesel to biofuels and electric vehicles. For more information on the 2016 Washington Auto Show see www.washingtonautoshow.com.
WAS=WOW
That’s short for The Washington Auto Show® was amazing.
I know it’s been ages since we’ve blogged, but, duh, we were kinda busy. With the President. Yeah, that one.
The White House called Barbara during our Public Policy Preview Days to say that the President would like to visit the show. Arrangements were made. And on Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 31, President Obama toured The Washington Auto Show’s “Advanced Technology SuperHighway,” our 65,000-square-foot exhibit of innovations in safety and sustainability. The display was enhanced a bit as we included some additional vehicles in the area for the President’s visit.
Barbara Pomerance, Washington Auto Show Director of Communications and Media Relations, and Gerard Murphy, WANADA President, review the "Advanced Technology SuperHighway" ahead of President Obama's visit.
Here is Mr. President, checking out a Chevy wrapped in Americana artwork. He’s talking with Ed Welburn, GM’s Vice President of Global Design, with WANADA President Gerard Murphy looking on.
It was the first time a current U.S. President ever visited our show. For some perspective, the 2012 show marked The Washington Auto Show’s 70th edition.
The President appeared to have a blast, climbing into car after car, revealing that megawatt grin.
Here he is in the Ford C-MAX Energi, which was named Green Car Journal’s 2012 Green Car Vision Award™ winner on Thursday, Jan. 27, the Washington Auto Show’s Public Policy Preview Day at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
The President checks out the Ford C-MAX Energi, named Green Car Journal's 2012 Green Car Vision Award™ winner at the Washington Auto Show.
Of course, there were many other highlights, especially a “Welcome Home Troops!” tribute that took place that evening. Held in partnership with the USO of Metropolitan Washington, the program offered active-duty and retired military personnel free admission to the show and a private reception celebrating them and their families. Headlining the evening event was an appearance by J.R. Martinez, the wounded Iraq war veteran who won the last season of Dancing with the Stars. Martinez, who has become an inspirational speaker, told a rapt audience that veterans can continue to fulfill the call to serve America beyond the battlefield. For his part, his words are his weapons, Martinez said, and his scars are his uniform.
Adding to the star power was an appearance by former U.S. Marine and WWE® Legend Sgt. Slaughter™. Both men signed autographs at the show after the private reception.
And what’s a party without music? Nearly everyone was thumping a boot or shaking a hip to the tunes belted out by the world-class Downrange pop ensemble from the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.”
Servicemen and women and their families were also treated to hundreds of mini-cupcakes, generously donated by the cult-favorite Georgetown Cupcake, which has supported our troops with shipments of deliciousness overseas.
Of course, these are just glimpses into the show’s bevy of special programming to strengthen and recognize the industry. A hallmark of that effort is our Public Policy Preview Days, which include our Capitol Hill Policy Summit, produced in partnership with National Journal, and many press conferences featuring luminaries from industry and government. This year’s speakers included U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, keynoter Dave Zuchowski, Executive Vice President of Sales for Hyundai Motor America and GM President Mark Reuss. High-profile guests including Georgia’s own Congressman John Lewis (D-Ga.) continued to visit the show throughout its 10-day public run, where we launched new promotions like “Cram the (Nissan) Cube” among area universities and a “Battle of the Bands” contest along with our crowd favorite — “The Price is Right” giveaway of a Hyundai Sonata and a trip to attend the show’s live taping in Los Angeles.
For a fuller perspective, click below on links to the newsletters published during the show by its producer and our longtime client, the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA).
http://wanada.org/files/Bulletin_04_2012.pdf
http://wanada.org/files/Bulletin_05_2012.pdf
And now that we’ve caught our breath, we’ll start planning for 2013.
Next month, Barbara and the senior leadership will head to Geneva to meet with industry executives and take in the 82nd International Motor Show as we continue to build a more creative, innovative and meaningful Washington Auto Show.
Sunny reports from LA
The Washington Auto Show delegation has returned from the L.A. Auto Show press preview day, which spelled considerable optimism for the industry.
As reported from the NYTimes Wheels blog;
“Such a strong presence for Nissan, Infiniti, Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat — returning here for the first time in 27 years — at the Los Angeles show is seen as especially significant. A year ago, those automakers essentially shunned this stop on the worldwide circuit of auto shows. Over all, it is seen as a hopeful sign of a recovery in the industry. These new introductions, plus dozens of others, will help breathe life into a show that was in danger the last two years, during the depths of the industry’s depression, of becoming moribund.”
Here are Barbara’s pics on location.
Debut of the 2012 Ford Focus
Here is one of Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO of Volvo, who projected the company will have sold 380,000 vehicles by 2010. Jacoby also said Volvo will make a PHEV SUV next year.
Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO of Volvo
And, what would a blog post be without a little self-indulgence.
Here’s one of our team: Washington Auto Show Chairman Charles Stringfellow, who is apparently cutting up with Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal.
L to R: Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of www.greencar.com, with Charles Stringfellow, Washington Auto Show chairman and CEO of Brown Automotive Group.
We work closely with Ron to produce our Green Car Summit on Capitol Hill.
Cogan’s Green Car Journal proclaimed the Chevy Volt its “Green Car of the Year” on Thursday. That prestigious award comes after MOtor Trend gave the Volt its coveted car of the year award as well.
Cogan will announce the Green Car Journal’s “Green Car Vision” award at The Washington Auto Show, keynoted by GM CEO Dan Akerson.
