Domestic models dominate the list of finalists for the coveted titles of North American Car and Truck of the year.
A jury of 49 veteran U.S. and Canadian journalists has selected the following finalists:
North American Car of the Year
- Buick LaCrosse
- Ford Fusion Hybrid
- Volkswagen Golf/GTI
North American Truck of the Year
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Ford Transit Connect
- Subaru Outback
The six finalists were chosen from an initial list of 50 cars, trucks and crossovers, vehicles that were either all new or substantially updated from the previous model, and which were brought to market during the 2009 calendar-year.
This year’s list of three North American Car of the Year finalists notably separated the Ford Fusion Hybrid from its conventionally powered sibling, and if Ford’s gas-electric model wins, it would mark the fourth time the technology has been honored by NACTOY jurors, following The Toyota Prius, named 2004 North American Car of the Year and the Ford Escape Hybrid, which was chosen as 2005 North American Truck of the Year. In 2006, jurors picked the combination of the then-new Honda Civic and Civic Hybrid. The Ford choice was controversial since it is just an option on what is a carryover vehicle.
Ford has been a dominant force in the North American Truck of the Year category, winning five times, the 2009 F-150 taking last year’s honors. On the Car of the Year side, Ford has repeatedly been nominated but won only once, in 2000, with the Focus. The Ford Flex placed second in last year’s North American Car of the Year balloting.
The choice of the LaCrosse as a 2010 finalists is significant for a brand that many had expected to be dropped by General Motors. Instead, it is one of four North American marques GM has retained following its brief bankruptcy, and winning the North American Car of the Year honors could be helpful in its revival.
In all, GM has captured the Car of the Year honors three times, including back-to-back wins, in 2008 with the Chevrolet Malibu, and in 2007 with the Saturn Aura.
VW was a 2009 finalist, with the diesel-powered Jetta TDI, and its New Beetle was named North American Car of the Year in 1999.
This would be a first-ever win for Subaru.
Domestic automakers have won Car of the Year honors 10 times during the 17 years of NACTOY, the Japanese three times, and Europeans four. The first Korean offering to take the nod was the Hyundai Genesis sedan, in 2009.
The North American Truck of the Year award – added a year after the original car award – has been claimed by domestics 10 times, as well. Japanese automakers have won four times, and Europeans twice.
Unlike traditional car of the year competitions, usually staged by an individual media outlet, the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards are chosen by a diverse jury – this year, including 49 journalists representing an array of print, broadcast and online outlets.
The winners will be announced at the opening ceremony of the North American International Auto Show, at Detroit’s Cobo Hall, on January 11, 2010.