2009 North American Car and Truck of the Year Finalists Announced

DETROIT, Dec. 18, 2008 -- Two European automakers, two domestics and for the first time a Korean automaker comprise the six finalists for the North American Car of the Year and the North American Truck of the Year awards, it was announced today.

Two of the six vehicles are new, clean diesels that can be sold in all 50 states. In 16 years this is the first time a diesel-powered vehicle has been a finalist.

A group of 50 automotive journalists voted the Ford Flex, Hyundai Genesis and Volkswagen Jetta TDI as finalists for the 2009 North American Car of the Year.

The Dodge Ram, Ford F-150 and Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC are finalists for the 2009 North American Truck of the Year.

The awards are unique in the United States because -- instead of being given by a single publication -- they are given by 50 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who represent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and web sites.

The 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.

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 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.

The finalists were announced today at a news conference during a luncheon held by the Detroit Economic Club and the North American International Auto Show.

Ms. Collins will be the only person who knows the winners, which will be announced January 11th at the North American International Auto Show. Although the winners are disclosed at a news conference at the North American International Auto Show, the show does not give the awards.

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.

This is the 16th year of the awards, which are funded exclusively by the jurors. During that time:

-- Hybrids have been honored four times.

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

-- Domestic automakers have won North American Truck of the Year nine times. Japanese automakers have won four times. European automakers have won twice.

  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

More information on the awards -- including the names of jurors as well as previous finalists and winners -- is available at: www.northamericancaroftheyear.org.