MAZDA5 WOWS WOMEN

Women on Wheels, published by Associated Magazines, named the Mazda5 the best MPV in SA as part of its 2011 WOW Women’s Car of the Year Awards. More than 5 000 women voted via SMS and on-line voting. Readers’ votes and those of the expert judging panel decided the eventual winners.

“We’re extremely proud to receive this award,” says Doreen Mashinini, Mazda Marketing Manager. “The Mazda5 has clearly struck a chord with the female market thanks to its style, versatility and value for money.” 

The ‘6+1’ packaging concept with the versatile ‘+1’ functions includes a: walk-through passageway, the hidden Karakuri seventh seat, Karakuri utility box and the diversity of seating arrangements. 

The new Mazda5 also features large sliding doors on both sides. The doors operate effortlessly even on narrow streets and in confined parking spaces, providing easy access to the second and third-row seats and allowing for easier loading and unloading of luggage. 

Now in its eight year, WOW has established itself as one of South Africa’s premier female motoring supplements. The handbag-sized annual was distributed with the July issues of Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, House and Leisure and O, The Oprah Magazine.

The judging panel for this year’s award saw Charleen Clarke joined by Driving In Heels editor Vuyi Jabavu, award-winning motoring journalist Peta Lee, Motor Mania editor Mabuyane Kekana, Janine-Lee Gordon from City Press, highly-experienced rally queen and motoring journalist Heléne Griffiths as well as Lindsay Vine from DSTV’s Ignition.

“Because the judging panel was made up of both expert motoring media and the general public the view was very balanced and demonstrated that the Mazda5 offers mass appeal while maintaining critical acclaim,” concludes Mashinini.