North American Car and Truck of the Year

Recently, the Buick LaCrosse, Ford Fusion Hybrid and Volkswagen Golf/GTI were selected as finalists for the North American Car of the Year and the Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Transit Connect and Subaru Outback were selected as finalists for theNorth American Truck of the Year.

For 17 years, a jury of automotive journalists, representing press from the United States and Canada, recognized the most outstanding vehicle based on a variety of factors including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. This year more than 50 vehicles were considered.

Last year the committee named the Hyundai Genesis as the North American Car of the Year and the Ford F-150 as the North American Truck of the Year.

This year’s winners, the 2010 Fusion Hybrid (car class) and the 2010 Transit Connect (truck award), were announced on January 11th at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Here are five fun facts about the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards:

1. Domestic automakers have won the North American Car of the Year eight times. Japanese automakers have won three times and European automakers have won four times

2. Domestic automakers have won the North American Truck of the Year 10 times while Japanese automakers have won four times

3. Ford has won the North American Truck of the Year five times, more than any other car manufacturer. However, Ford has only won the North American Car of the Year once with the Ford Focus in 2000

4. Hybrids have been honored three times. Winners include the Toyota Prius in 2004, the Ford Escape Hybrid in 2005 and the Honda Civic Hybrid in 2006

5. Chevrolet vehicles have been named the North American Truck of the year three times, with the Silverado winning the 2007 award

Tagged as: Car of the Year, North American International Auto Show, Truck of the year