Ford Wins 2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year

The 2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year Winners were announced today at the NAIAS in Detroit, which opens to the public on January 16. Two Ford vehicles were chosen for this award for 2010. The Ford Fusion Hybrid was selected as the 2010 North American Car of the Year and the Ford Transit Connect as the 2010 North American Truck of the Year.

A jury of 49 veteran automotive journalists made the selections for Car and Truck of the Year. It was only the third time in 17 years that one automaker has won both awards. Honda won both awards in 2006 and General Motors won both in 2007.

The awards are given by automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who represent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and web sites. Both the car and truck of the year awards are designed to recognize the most outstanding vehicles of the year based on factors that include innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.

There were three car finalists: The Ford Fusion Hybrid with 241 points, the Volkswagen Golf/TDI/GTI with 146 and the Buick LaCrosse with 103 points.

The three truck finalists were: The Transit Connect with 213 points, the Chevrolet Equinox with 183 points and the Subaru Outback with 94.

One of the jurors, Csaba Csere, who voted on the Car of the Year said, "Though not the first hybrid on the market, or even the second or third, The Fusion Hybrid is simply the best one ever built. In addition to delivering terrific mileage, it looks and drives like a regular car -- and a very good one indeed."

To be eligible, vehicles must be "all-new" or "substantially changed" from the previous model. This year the jury considered more than 50 vehicles and finally focused on 16 cars and 10 trucks.

The winners were kept secret until today at a news conference at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Tony Swan, a member of the awards organizing committee and a senior editor at Car and Driver magazine, announced the winners.

In 2009, the North American Car of the Year was the Hyundai Genesis and the North American Truck of the Year was the Ford F-150.

The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS)is open to the public from January 16 - 23, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan.

Written by Cheryl Phillips
HULIQ.com

Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.