Are you excited to know the finalists of this year’s Urban Wheel Awards? Of course you are.

Select auto journalists have cast their votes and the finalists for the 2008 Urban Wheel Awards were announced. The event will be held on January 15, 2008 at the Fox Theater in Detroit, in conjunction with Press Preview Week of the North American International Auto Show.

Co-hosts Actress Rosie Perez and Kevin Frazier of Entertainment Tonight will lead a cast of celebrity presenters, who will present awards to the automotive manufacturers, executives, suppliers, dealers, advertising agencies and motorsports organizations who have contributed to diversity in the industry, according to The Auto Channel.

"The Urban Wheel Awards brings together top leaders in the auto industry with the multicultural community which represents their true customer base," said Randi Payton, President and CEO of On Wheels, Inc. and founder of the awards. "Inclusion of all its customers is critical to building bridges to the multicultural community and to recognizing the contributions of minorities in the industry."

Urban Wheel Awards are presented in categories including, Company of the Year, African-American, Asian and Latino automotive executives of the year, as well as minority Supplier of the Year, the report continued. To recognize commitment to diversity in the racing arena, the Diversity in Motorsports award will be given. Additionally, Urban Dealer of the Year award will serve as the newest commendation.

  The 12th Annual Urban Wheel Awards finalists are:

  African American Executive of the Year

  Bennie Fowler
  VP, Quality
  Ford Motor Company

  Marshilia Snoddy
  Zone Manager for Process Improvement, Southwest Zone
  American Honda Motor Company

  Ed Welburn
  VP, Global Design
  General Motors Corporation

  Asian Executive of the Year

  Takeshi Abe
  Henry Ford Technical Fellow
  Ford Motor Company

  Ray G, Young
  Group VP, GM Global Finance
  General Motors Corporation

  Latino Executive of the Year

  Dave Mondragon
  General Manager, Ford Motor Company Southwest Region
  Ford Motor Company

  Victor Nacif
  VP Design, Business Aspects
  Nissan Design America

  Supplier of the Year

  Detroit Chassis
  Ewie Co. Inc.
  Pinnacle

  Company of the Year

  Chrysler
  Ford Motor Company
  General Motors

  Car of the Year

  Chevrolet Malibu
  Honda Accord
  Mercedes-Benz C Class

  Truck of the Year

  Buick Enclave
  Chrysler Town & Country
  Infiniti EX 35

  Diversity in Motor Sports Finalists

  National Hot Rod Association
  STAR Motorsports
  Urban Youth Racing School

  Urban Dealer of the Year

  Bill Perkins Automotive Group
  Mike Pruitt Honda
  Southaven Pontiac/Buick/GMC

For more info about the much-awaited event, visit www.urbanwheelawards.com or call (313) 963-2209.

 

The Chinese auto market is the fastest growing market in the world and it is obvious that automakers will be making their moves on the Asian country.  Recently, The Auto Channel reported that Ford has another good year in China, not only basing it on the number of vehicles that they have sold there but also on their works of improving quality standards and working conditions on their supply network there.

Mei-Wei Cheng, chairman and CEO of Ford, China said:  "Our goal is to have all of our suppliers in China participate in this management program.  Ford sees it as our direct responsibility to ensure that each of our partners are providing their staff with a legal and decent work environment and working conditions. It’s a part of doing good business and we’re willing to make an investment to help achieve this."

This move by Ford is considered a major one as they have a lot of subsidiaries in China which includes:  "Ford Motor (China) Limited, Ford Motor Research & Engineering (Nanjing) Co., Ltd., Ford Automotive Finance (China) Ltd., Changan Ford Mazda Automotive Co., Ltd., Changan Ford Mazda Automotive Co., Ltd., Nanjing Company, Changan Ford Mazda Engine Co., Ltd., and Jiangling Motors Co., Ltd. Ford Motor has introduced a number of exciting models to the Chinese market, including Ford Mondeo, Ford Focus, Ford S-MAX, Ford Transit, Volvo S40, Mazda3, as well as several imported models from Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln and Volvo, and service brand, Ford Service."  

Darrell Doren, the automaker’s regional manager for supply chain sustainability, said:  "We strive to maintain long-term relationships with our suppliers, which provides a real advantage for a mutual understanding of our supplier management program. It also provides additional benefits, as adherence to the policies helps deliver increased quality and has a positive impact on their employee retention."