Sorry if this is a repost, I did a quick check to see someone had posted anything similar and didn't come up with anything.
January 11, 2009 – A jury of 50 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada has selected the Hyundai Genesis as the 2009 North American Car of the Year and the Ford F-150 as the 2009 North American Truck of the Year.
The awards are designed to recognize the most outstanding new vehicles in their segments.
The awards are based on factors that include innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. Because the vehicles are new reliability is not a factor.
The awards are unique in the United States because they are given by automotive journalists who represent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and web sites instead of a single publication. Also, unlike some other awards, the awards are financed entirely by the jurors.
The winners were announced today at a news conference at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, however, the show does not give the awards and the voting does not take place there.
In December the top three cars and trucks were announced. The car finalists were the Ford Flex, Hyundai Genesis and the Volkswagen Jetta TDI. The truck finalists were the Dodge Ram, the Ford F-150 and the Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC.
The Genesis received 189 points, the Flex received 180 and the Jetta TDI received 131.
The F-150 received 259 points, the Ram received 167 points and the Mercedes received 74 points.
The awards were first given in 1994.
Today was the first time a Korean automaker has won.
Today was the fifth time Ford has won the North American Truck of the Year and the third win for the F-150. The other winners were the Expedition and Escape Hybrid.
To be eligible, vehicles must be “all-new” or “substantially changed” from the previous model. This year the jury considered more than fifty 2009 vehicles and settled on 14 cars and 11 trucks that deserved to be on the ballot.
Michelle Collins, Vice Chairman Automotive at Deloitte & Touche, was responsible for counting the ballots, which jurors sent directly to the accounting firm. Until the news conference Ms. Collins was the only person who knew the winners.
Last year the North American Car of the Year was the Chevrolet Malibu and the North American Truck of the Year was the Mazda CX-9.
Excluding today:
- Hybrids have been honored twice.
- Domestic automakers have won North American Car of the Year eight times. Japanese automakers have won three times. European automakers have won four times. A Korean automaker has never won.
- Domestic automakers have won North American Truck of the Year nine times. Japanese automakers have won four times. European automakers have won twice. A Korean automaker has never won.
Here are the vehicles on which the jurors voted:
2009 North American Car of the Year nominees
Audi A4
BMW 1 Series
Cadillac CTS-V
Dodge Challenger
Ford Flex
Honda Fit
Hyundai Genesis
Jaguar XF
Lincoln MKS
Mazda 6
Nissan GT-R
Pontiac G8
Toyota Venza
Volkswagen Jetta TDI
2009 North American Truck of the Year nominees
BMW X6
Chevrolet Traverse
Dodge Ram
Ford F-150
Honda Pilot
Infiniti FX35/50
Kia Borrego
Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC
Nissan Murano
Subaru Forester
Volkswagen Tiguan
i love the genesis so i'd say thats a good pick. the new f150 looks pretty nice too, but some of the features are a little crazy to say the least lol.
but since when does a traverse qualify as a truck? lol
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I only see 2 trucks in that list. If I am not mistaken I do believe that all the others on that list are also unibody. I am a firm believer that a truck should have a body on frame construction.
mitdr774 wrote:I only see 2 trucks in that list. If I am not mistaken I do believe that all the others on that list are also unibody. I am a firm believer that a truck should have a body on frame construction.
That's 3 actually.
the Kia Borrego is a body on frame as well. It's the same mistake people make with Geo Tracker/Suzuki Sidekicks. Jeep nutswingers scoff at them as not trail worthy when thety are the exact same build as the beloved Wrangler. Body on frame, real 4wd (2wd, 4w high/4w low) struts in front, shocks in back, short over hangs.
The Kia is pretty nice but again i can't see why the Ram didn't win? Other than the people judging must know already that chrysler builds garbage and that F-150's are rock solid reliable. I'd say that perscived reliability MUST play on their desicions because easily the Nissan GTR should have earned Car of the year...but we know it has that tranny issue looming over it's head.
I just happened to have few minutes to kill the other day and stopped into a Hyundai dealer to look at that Genesis and can say this car is a game breaker. It really is just a very amazing car for the price. The CTS-V and G8 are immpressive and the Challenger is trendy and ....well still Chrysler garbage. But you have to look at the Genesis and what it offers and does for the same price as the G8 and it's the obvious choice.
"Formerly known as Jammit - JBO member since 1998" JBOM | CSS.net
Never had a chance to look under the Kia, now I know. I would live to have a Tracker/Sidekick or even a Trooper. 4Cyl., 5 speed, selectable transfer case, and a decent frame make for e a very capable combination.
