DETROIT—At a press conference this morning here at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, the North American Car and Truck of the Year jurors announced the winners.
The Hyundai Genesis was named the 2009 Car of the Year, and the Ford F-150 was named the 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 jury includes Popular Mechanics's automotive editor, Ben Stewart.
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 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.
