Congratulations to Jim O'Sullivan, President and CEO of Mazda North American Operations!

Joining the ranks of Carroll Shelby, Rick Wagoner, Henry Ford II, Robert Eaton, Lee Iacocca and John DeLorean (to name just a few), James O'Sullivan will receive the 2009 Automotive Executive of the Year Award at an invitation-only luncheon at the Detroit Athletic Club (DAC) in May. O'Sullivan is the current President and CEO of Mazda North American Operations, and Managing Executive Officer, Mazda Motor Corporation.The award, started in 1964, recognizes excellence in automotive leadership from OEM executives as chosen by a nominating committee comprised of industry media, analysts, and suppliers. O'Sullivan has more than three decades of experience in the industry, and he held many key positions with Ford before heading Mazda. Robert Djurovic, executive director of the Automotive Executive of the Year award program said, "As a native Detroiter with a strong background in the actual sales process, coupled with a lean inventory, a solid partnership with JP Morgan Chase, and a great market offering in the Mazda3, James is the ideal candidate for the 2009 Automotive Executive of the Year." James O’Sullivan, president and CEO of Irvine-based Mazda North American Operations and managing executive of Mazda Motor Corp., was named the 2009 Automotive Executive of the Year.
The award, which will be presented in Detroit in May, recognizes excellence in the industry. Award alums include Carroll Shelby, Lee Iacocca, John DeLorean and Hentry Ford II.
The award’s nominating commitee is made up of auto industry media members, industry analysts and CEOs of auto suppliers.

O’Sullivan oversee’s all of Mazda North American’s operations in U.S., Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico, including sales, marketing, logistics and communications. He was appointed president and CEO for the comany in 2003.
“It is because of our parent company’s support that Mazda has the best North American dealer body and product portfolio in its history and a chief reason the company is on solid footing during these uncertain economic times,” O’Sullivan said in a news release.
“I am fortunate to be backed by strong executive teams in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico that have continually performed beyond expectations.”

Joe...a customer and a friend for life!

Consumer Report says:

ConsumerReports® cars
SPRING 2009


Recommended...MAZDA CX-7
Recommended...MAZDA CX-9
Recommended...MAZDA MX-5 MIATA*
Recommended...MAZDA RX-8
Recommended...MAZDA 3
Recommended...MAZDA 5

(MAZDA 6 NO DATA, NEW MODEL )


Consumer Reports began testing and reviewing cars in 1936 and has always been a source of in-depth, unbiased, and independent real-world information.
Consumer Reports is the only major automotive-testing publication that does not accept advertising or free samples. We give you independent, unbiased reviews that don’t pull punches to please an advertiser.
We buy all the cars we test anonymously from dealerships.
Consumer Reports Publishing, President: James A. Guest

*TOP PICKS "Fun To Drive" Mazda MX-5 Miata: "The Miata is a true sports car at a reasonable price. With quick, precise steering, a crisp-shifting manual transmission, and balanced handling, it virtually tied the Porsche Boxster in our test scoring, but it costs about half the price. This roadster is available with a power-operated hard top or a manual top that can be raised and lowered from the driver's seat using one hand."
Price: $22,000 to $29,000

OC Mazda is proud to present to you our award winning line of recommended automobiles as reviewed in Consumer Reports Spring 2009 edition. It's not very often that the majority of a car's entire line of products is listed as "RECOMMENDED" by Consumer Reports. And to have our Miata chosen as a the "most fun to drive", as well as it being compared to a Porsche Boxster, well it doesn't get much better than that!

Come visit us this weekend and see all our recommended cars for yourself!

And don't forget, for Orange County's first look at the all new, all that, 2010 Mazda 3, join us on Wednesday or Thursday (March 18 or 19) for our 2010 Mazda 3 launch event!

Wed. 3/18-Tustin Mazda 6-7:30

Thurs. 3/19-Huntington Beach Mazda 6-7:30

Call Lynda Nelson at 714-848-7739 for more information.

A sneak peek at a coming commercial...Bob, we love you!

Meltdown 101: Why it's a good time to buy a car

Meltdown 101: Why it's a good time to buy a car
Associated Press

Kimberly S. Johnson
February 26, 2009

DETROIT—
GM and Chrysler have received financial help from the government, and they're asking for more. But the only way car companies will be able to turn their fortunes around is by getting consumers to return to dealerships and purchase new cars.
What are the government, automakers and dealers doing to try to nudge weary customers back to showrooms?
Here are some questions and answers about buying a car during this tumultuous time for the auto industry.
Q: Is now a good time to buy a car? Can I get good deal?
A: Yes and Yes. Dealers are anxious to make sales to bring in cash and move inventory off their lots. Many automakers are offering employee pricing, which in some cases shaves as much as 10 percent off the price. There are also additional incentives and rebates buyers can take advantage of, varying from manufacturer to manufacturer and dealer to dealer.
Q: Is there aid in the stimulus bill if I decide to buy a new car? And would I have to purchase an American-made vehicle?
A: The stimulus bill gives consumers a state sales tax and excise tax deduction on new cars purchased before the end of 2009. This benefit does not apply to single filers making more than $150,000 or joint filers making more than $250,000.
A car buyer's savings will vary depending on financing terms, state and local sales tax rates and the buyer's income. All car makes and models are eligible for the savings.
Q: Are there additional tax rebates for hybrid car purchases?
A: Thanks to the stimulus, you can get a tax credit of up to $7,500 if you buy a plug-in hybrid vehicle or get some sort of electric vehicle before 2012.
Q: A German government program offers cash to consumers who scrap aging cars and buy new ones. Are there plans for a similar offer in the United States?
A: Earlier this week, GM division Adam Opel GmbH said it would introduce extra shifts at a German plant to meet a jump in demand for its Corsa model, which it attributed to the German government's offer of the euro2,500 ($3,200) bonus for new car buyers.
The effort to boost the ailing auto industry is part of Germany's euro50 billion economic stimulus package.
Legislation proposing a national "scrappage" program like this was introduced in the U.S. Senate in January and has since been referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, where it awaits action. Companion legislation also has been introduced in the U.S. House.
Under the Senate "Cash for Clunkers" proposal, drivers could receive credits of $2,500 to $4,500 for scrapping a vehicle that gets less than 18 mpg. The credits could be used toward a more fuel-efficient vehicle or public transit fares.
Q: I have enough money to buy a car; will I be able to get financing?
A: Even those with the most handsome credit scores might run into some difficulties.
"We have more customers in our showrooms than we can arrange credit for," said Mike Jackson, chief executive officer of AutoNation Inc., the country's largest chain of auto retailers. "We have prime customers who have excellent credit scores, good jobs and good down payments and can't get credit."
The Fort Lauderdale, Fla.- based company operates about 245 used and new car dealerships across 16 states, representing both U.S. and foreign automakers.
Jackson said banks have tightened the reins on the amount of money they're willing to lend. When credit flowed freely, dealers would have to contact two or three banks to secure financing for customers. "Today we have to approach six, seven or eight banks," he said.
It's unclear whether millions of dollars given to the financing arms of GM and Chrysler have helped make financing more readily available.
Credit unions are becoming a good option for consumers. Last month, the national credit union group CUcorp expanded its "Invest in America" program, which is expected to give 90 million members of nearly 8,000 credit unions potential access to low-interest loans for GM and Chrysler vehicles.
Q: Can I lease a car?
A: It depends on the brand. Leasing is virtually nonexistent now, Jackson said, with the exclusion of some foreign and luxury models.
Q: When will the auto market get better?
A: No one has a crystal ball. But automakers hope there will be a turnaround during the second half of the year, and that 2010 will be better.
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Associated Press Auto Writer Bree Fowler in New York and AP Writer Ken Thomas in Washington contributed to this report.