Essendon Mazda

Mazda News » Essendon Mazda December e-News

Essendon Mazda E-News

Experiencing problems viewing this ezine? Click here

Hello and welcome to Essendon Mazda's
December e-news.

We welcome you to this our final e-news for 2009! What a year it has been, and with so much news still happening around the dealership, 2010 is set to be another stellar year.

December has seen Mazda add to the trophy case with four new awards, including the Carsales Network People’s Choice Award for the top-selling Mazda2, Mazda3, and Mazda6, just as the Mazda6 is named as the Best Medium Car at the 2009 Drive Car of the Year awards.

We also help you get into the festive mood with some great activities around the city and share with you a yummy mince pie recipe to brighten up your day.

We wish you all a very safe and happy Christmas and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year!

Sincerely,
Joe Cucuzza
Dealer Principal

MAZDA SCOOPS PEOPLE�S CHOICE TRIFECTA

Mazda has topped the polls at this year�s Carsales Network People�s Choice Awards, taking out three of the passenger car categories for the second consecutive year.

Australia's favourite full-line vehicle importer secured the Light, Small and Medium Car category awards with its top-selling trio Mazda2, Mazda3 and Mazda6 respectively.

Votes for the People�s Choice Award are voted for by genuine enquiries made on the Carsales websites over a 12-month period.

Impressively, the stylish and refined Mazda6 has been voted Best Medium Car seven times. Mazda3 has been Best Small Car six times, and Mazda2 is Best Light Car for the second year running.

Carsales Managing Director Greg Roebuck says Mazda�s passenger car trifecta is a true testament to the strength of the company�s brand in Australia.

�The results of the Carsales People�s Choice Awards strongly reflect the sentiments of private new car buyers,� he said.

�Given we are Australia�s first choice for new car enquiries, these awards give a clear indication of where buyers are spending their dollars and the strength of the respective models in their categories.�

This comes after the Mazda6 was named as the Best Medium Car at the 2009 Drive Car of the Year awards. For more information read the article below.

Contact us today for more information on how you can drive in the New Year in one of Mazda�s People�s Choice award-winners.

50% TAX REBATE � HURRY LAST MONTH

December is the last month you have to take advantage of the Federal Government’s 50 per cent tax allowance for eligible small businesses.

The additional 50 per cent tax allowance is for eligible assets costing $1,000 or more acquired from 13th December 2008 to 31st December 2009 and installed by 31st December 2010.

In order for a small business to benefit from this tax break they must have a turnover of $2 million or less a year.

The tax allowance will apply to tangible assets with depreciating value used in everyday business activities, including fleet vehicles.

Contact us for stock availability and consult your tax adviser for eligibility and more information.

MAZDA6 NAMED BEST MEDIUM CAR BY DRIVE

Australia’s best selling fully imported medium car, Mazda6, has taken out the title of Best Medium Car at the 2009 Drive Car of the Year awards.

Judges agreed that the Mazda6 was deserved of the crown due to its consistent performance across all of the key judging criteria including value-for-money, economy, driving performance and dynamics, safety and practicality.

Drive experts were also impressed by Mazda6’s styling, interior user-friendliness, quality feel and competitive space.

The benchmark in the highly competitive mid-car segment, the Mazda6 is available in three body styles – sedan, hatch and wagon – with your choice of a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol and a 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine.

GET INTO THE FESTIVE SPIRIT IN MELBOURNE

Can you believe it – Christmas is only just around the corner! Where has the year gone!

Now is the time to get in the festive mood and with so much happening around Melbourne it’s the perfect place to be.

Here are some of our top tips to enjoy Melbourne’s Christmas festivities;

Christmas at Fed Square

Escape from the bustle of the city and take a chance to reflect this Christmas at Fed Square. Admire installations by local artists and enjoy free concerts by community choirs.

When: 1st – 25th December
Where: Federation Square, Crn Swanston
& Flinders Street, Melbourne

Christmas Shop Windows

Make a trip into the City to see our beautiful Christmas Windows throughout the Melbourne CBD.

When: 1st – 31st December
Where: Melbourne CBD

Nativity Scene at City Square

The city’s Nativity scene returns to the City Square. This contemporary calligraphic interpretation features a message of hope, joy and wonder.

When: 3rd – 31st December
Where: City Square, 60 Swanston Street, Melbourne

Thomas & Friends Christmas Surprise

Start your engines with Thomas & Friends in the fun-filled all singing all dancing live musical – “Thomas’ Christmas Surprise” free live show. Thomas & Friends brings the imaginary world of Thomas the Tank Engine into sparkling reality live onstage in a colourful and entertaining musical spectacular! Click here for more information.

When: 5th – 20th December
Where: Waterfront City Piazza & Pavilion,
429-437 Docklands Drive, Docklands

Santa in the City

Meet Santa and his elves, as they drop by the city’s Christmas tree in the days leading up to Christmas. Bring your camera and get a photo taken with Santa – it’s free to take your own picture. Daily, 10am to noon.

When: 7th – 24th December
Where: City Square, 60 Swanston Street, Melbourne

Santa’s Post Box at City Square

Too shy to tell Santa what you want for Christmas? Send him a letter instead. Post your letters in the special Santa’s Post Box in the City Square and you’ll receive a reply from Santa. Click here for more information.

When: 7th – 25th December
Where: City Square, 60 Swanston Street, Melbourne

CHRISTMAS RECIPE � MINCE PIES

Nothing says Christmas like a mince pie. Make your own from scratch and you'll be taking orders for next year!

Ingredients

For filling:

3 cups (500g) raisins
3 cups (500g) currants
3 cups (500g) sultanas
¾ cup (115g) chopped dried pineapple wedges
½ cup (100g) chopped glace cherries
1 cup (170g) chopped mixed peel
¾ cup (120g) blanched almonds, chopped
2 large cooking apples, grated
1½ cups (330g) brown sugar
150g butter, melted
¾ cup (180ml) brandy or rum
1 teaspoon mixed spice
Grated rind and juice of 2 oranges
Icing sugar, to dust
1 eggwhite, lightly beaten

For the pastry:

2 cups (300g) plain flour
¼ teaspoon baking powder
185g unsalted butter, chopped
2 egg yolks
1-2 tablespoons lemon juice

Method

Pulse dried fruit, cherries, mixed peel and almonds in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Combine with remaining ingredients in a bowl. Cover and chill for two days, stirring daily.

Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease two 12-hole patty pans. To make pastry, sift flour and baking powder into a bowl. Rub in butter with fingertips until crumbs form. Add egg yolks and enough lemon juice to form dough.

Knead dough until smooth. Cover in plastic wrap, chill for 30 minutes. Roll out until 3-5mm thick. With a 7.5cm cutter, cut out 24 rounds. Place in pans, spoon ½ teaspoon fruit mince in each.

Re-roll pastry scraps. Cut out 24 stars with a 3cm cutter. Place on tarts, brush with eggwhite. Bake for 15 minutes. Cool in pans and dust with icing sugar.

Serves: 10 or more

Tip: make fruit mince in advance to save time and intensify the flavours. Spoon it into hot sterilised jars, top with discs of baking paper, cover with a lid and keep in the fridge.

If this ezine was forwarded to you, and you would like what you're reading Click here to subscribe.

To unsubscribe from this ezine Click here.