2008 Honda Odyssey Has a Musical Personality

Forget Oprah's list for now. You want to know one of my "favorite things" for this year? Try Pandora, an amazing free site that lets you create music stations that play only music you like and listen to stations created by other people as well.
How does this relate to the Ody? I was listening to Pandora when I saw an ad for a music station "created" by the 2008 Honda Odyssey. In fact, the Ody is listed as a "person" on Pandora and has created four stations, entitled BreakinFree ("tween" music), Ticket To Ride ('60s), Truckin' (classic hard rock), and I've Been Everywhere (hip kids' music). It's part of Honda's "Respect the Van" campaign, and I gotta give them props for creativity and for plugging into what I think is the best music site since iTunes. And the stations are pretty good, too! Something for everyone in the family. I guess that's the point: It's a minivan, right?
I expect other vehicles to become "people" on Pandora soon (and probably in the virtual reality sensation Second Life as well). So next time you talk about your car's "personality," better check its musical taste first.


Source: http://blogs.edmunds.com/women/678

Aussie’s Best Cars Of The Year

Are you an Aussie? I suppose you know the best cars in your nation. But if you don't, it's time to hit your refresh button.

The stylish European Ford Mondeo leads 5 new entries in the ranks of Australia's best cars, as the country's auto clubs vote for their honor roll for this year, reports said. The Mondeo, which is one of the 50 consumer-focused fresh arrivals for this year, epitomizes the changing face of Aussie new-cars showrooms. The car is joined by VW Golf R32, BMW M3, Nissan X-Trail and BMW X5 diesel on the Best Cars honor roll.

"The Mondeo reflects all the shifts in the market in one car," said the chief judge of the Australia's Best Cars contest, Ernest Litera of the RACV. "This is a vehicle that has the space and comfort we've traditionally found in a large car, and it is available with a diesel engine. The market is shifting to quality mid-size cars."

"These awards are not about the automotive industry - they are about the consumer," the executive director of the Australian Automobile Association, Mike Harris, said yesterday. "AAA and Australia's automotive clubs represent more than 6.5 million members and these awards provide them - and all motorists - with an independent program."

There were 7 repeat champions but the longest-running by far is the Honda Odyssey. This time around, the vehicle is defending its crown this time against the new family-focused Toyota Kluger. "The Odyssey has won for the fourth time, and that's because it is a purpose-built people mover," Litera said. "A good car is not just a good car for 12 months. A winner will often run back-to-back, because it takes the competition a couple of years to get on top."

Honda, the affiliate of the luxury maker of Acura CL engine parts, could've been very jubilant to hear the news.

Australia's Best Cars

Small car: Volkswagen Polo TDI

Mid-size car under $28,000: Honda Civic VTi

Mid-size car over $28,000: Ford Mondeo TDCi

Large car: Toyota Aurion AT-X

People mover: Honda Odyssey Luxury

Sports car: Volkswagen Golf R32

Luxury sports car: BMW M3

Prestige car: Lexus IS250

Luxury car: Lexus GS450h

Recreational 4WD: Nissan X-Trail ST

Luxury 4WD: BMX X5 Diesel

All-terrain 4WD: Land Rover Discovery 3 SE TDV6

Apart from the 12 winners, the Best Cars results offer a wide-scope auto shopper's guide that allows buyers to choose the features they want. "While we have an overall winner in each category, you can also use the tables to find what you want. And it's not subjective," Litera noted.

[credit: Melbourne Herald Sun]


Source: http://myautoparts.blogspot.com/2007/12/aussies-best-cars-of-year.html