Calling all car clubs - Car Club "Roundup" rides again

Star Tribune Sales and Marketing

Last update: November 6, 2009 - 2:08 PM

The Auto Scene column in this Cars section will list area car clubs again this year as part of our annual "Roundup" feature. The directory of car clubs will start on Dec. 18 and run on selected Fridays into March. A complete, A-to-Z list will be available at www.startribune.com/cars. The deadline for getting club information in is NOVEMBER 16. To ensure that your club makes it safely into the "corral," e-mail jamesbohen@yahoo.com with the following information:

Car club name

Club's vehicle focus (if it's not obvious from the club name)

Contact information (phone number, e-mail and/or website address, etc.)

As mentioned, the list will start appearing on selected Fridays in the Auto Scene column on Dec. 18, and the complete directory will be available at startribune.com/cars, also beginning Dec. 18.

Mazda's Mazda2 to make U.S. debut

Mazda says the Mazda2 subcompact will be sold in the U.S. beginning in late 2010, Motor Matters recently reported. "As consumers' tastes and attitudes toward small vehicles have changed, we now believe strongly there is a place in our lineup for a car below our current, least-expensive car, the Mazda3," said Jim O'Sullivan, Mazda U.S. CEO. "The Mazda2 will be true to everything that makes our cars stand apart from the competition: It will be stylish, fun-to-drive and a heck of a value."

Safety search site

Motor Matters recently reported that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is now providing a valuable new component of its website to motorists. In addition to checking the results of new-vehicle crash tests, motorists can search for recalls, ongoing investigations into defects that may lead to recalls and a list of any complaints from other consumers about car problems. Visit Safercar.gov.

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