South Carolina eco-friendly car buyers will be glad to know that at the 2009 LA Auto Show, the Audi A3 TDI was crowned the 2010 Green Car of the Year, wresting the title away from last year’s winner, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Even though three hybrids made this year’s list of finalists, the A3’s win marks the second year in a row that a TDI diesel car took top honors in the Green Car Journal competition.

The other contenders were the Honda Insight, the Mercury Milan Hybrid (we still don’t get why this car beat out the better-selling and nearly identical Ford Fusion Hybrid) and the Toyota Prius.

Each year, Green Car Journal picks the five finalists and then hands over selection duties to celebrity jurors (Jay Leno, Carroll Shelby, and the Sierra Club’s Carl Pope, to name a few). During the award ceremony, Green Car Journal editor Ron Cogan said that the five finalists are notable because they are all mainstream vehicles that are available today.

New River Auto Mall of Hardeeville will soon add an Audi franchise to its existing lineup of cars; opening is schedule for 2010.  In fact, the auto mall will also be adding a South Carolina Volkswagen franchise in the same showroom building.

Construction of the new Audi and VW facility will begin at the end of this year or early 2010 with a projected opening date next summer, said Warner Peacock, president and CEO of NRAM Holdings LLC, owner of the dealerships at the New River Auto Mall.

The New River Auto Mall has a number of popular car brands that includes Nissan, Infiniti, Porsche, Mazda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Hyundai, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge.

South Carolina Audi Dealers

The nearest Audi dealership is in Charleston South Carolina which is about two hours drive from the auto mall.   McDaniel’s Audi of Charleston is located on 2293 South Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29414.

The ownership group includes retail auto industry veterans Peacock and Don Mealey, professional baseball star Ken Griffey Jr., and attorneys Greg Humphries and Jay Brennan.  The New River Auto Mall will hire staff to fill positions in management, sales and service in spring 2010.

South Carolina Audi dealers are running a special promotion on the 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet for a limited time.  Check your local dealer for availability or use the form on the right to request an in stock price quote.  Act fast because this offer expires on November 2nd.  Here are the details on leasing an Audi A4 in South Carolina:

2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet Special Edition
$499* lease per month for 36 months
Now through November 2, 2009

Audi A4 Cabriolet Lease Special Details

Down payment: $0
Refundable security deposit: $0
Acquisition fee: $0
First month’s payment: $499
Amount due at lease inception: $499
Excludes taxes, title and dealer fees

*36-mo. closed-end lease offered to qualified customers by Audi Financial Services through participating dealers. Must take delivery by 11/2/2009. Rate based on $42,275 MSRP of 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet Special Edition FWD Wood Trim Interior and iPod music interface. Purchase option at lease end for $21,560.50.

Required dealer contribution could affect final negotiated transaction. Lessee responsible for insurance and may have some financial liability at lease end. Lessee responsible for $0.25/mile over 10,000 miles per year and a disposition fee of $350 due at lease end. See dealer for details.