For the model year 2008, what cars are expected to hit the industry like a storm?

Auto Mujeres al Volante, a leading auto authority for US Hispanic women, has selected the 2008 Chevy Malibu “Car of the Year for Woman”.

"The FAMA Autos awards are becoming a staple in the automotive industry and we are pleased to award the 2008 Chevy Malibu for stepping up to the plate with this impressive vehicle," said Ileana Muñiz, editor-in-chief of FAMA Autos. "Our audience depends on us to honor the new models that best demonstrate overall superiority, significance and value, and the 2008 Chevy Malibu stood out in each of those categories for its outstanding engineering, impressive capability, price and safety, the number one concern of all women especially mothers."

When selecting the award FAMA-Autos considered what today’s US Hispanic women are looking for in a car, according to a Hispanic PR Wire release. The main requirement is safety, followed by looks, interior room, and of course the mechanics of the vehicle. Additionally, a special Humanitarian Award will be presented to OnStar for saving lives.

The Award is chosen by the editors of FAMA Magazine and the readers of http://www.fama.us. To stress, 12,600 votes were cast this year.

Wikipedia says: “The Malibu is redesigned for the 2008 model year. It is built on a revised version of the long-wheelbase Epsilon platform shared with the Saturn Aura and Pontiac G6. It will continue to be assembled in Kansas City and Mexico City, Mexico like the 2004-2007 Malibu, however in anticipation of increased demand, the car will also be produced at Lake Orion, Michigan alongside the Pontiac G6. Overall it is three inches longer with a wheelbase that is six inches longer. Interior room remains mid-size like the previous Malibu’s, and has been decreased from 101 cubic feet to 95 cubic feet despite having a longer wheelbase, although front legroom has increased from 41.9 in to 42.4 in. Rear legroom has decreased from 38.5 in to 37.6 in. The interior design has also been completely reworked, with a selection of two-tone color combinations, telescoping steering wheel, higher-quality materials and a twin-cowl dash design reminiscent of classic Corvettes.”

Chevrolet Malibu, with a base price of $19,995, is a sign of the Detroit automaker’s revolution in manufacturing world-class vehicles.

Top 10 FAMA Autos Editor’s Choice:

1. Chevy Malibu
2. Lexus LS 600
3. Jeep Liberty
4. Toyota Tundra Sport
5. Honda Accord
6. Mercedes Benz SLK 350
7. Chevrolet Corvette
8. Mazda MX 5
9. Cadillac CTS
10. BMW 3 – Series