Domestic automakers dominated as the Cadillac ATS took the 2013 North American Car of the Year and the Ram 1500 won the 2013 North American Truck/Utility of the Year.
The winners were revealed Monday morning at a news conference at the North American International Auto Show.
The winners were chosen by a jury of 49 automotive journalists from the U.S. and Canada.
The awards – now in their 20th year - are unique in the United States because instead of being given by a single media outlet they are awarded by a group of 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 new vehicles of the year. These vehicles are benchmarks in their segments based on factors including innovation, comfort, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.
The jurors gave the ATS 207 points, the Accord 159 points and the Fusion 124 points.
It was the first win for Cadillac ATS and the fifth car win for General Motors. The Cadillac CTS was a finalist in 2008.
The jurors gave the Ram 1500 261 points, the CX-5 142 points and the C-Max 87 points.
It was the third truck win for Chrysler. The Dodge Ram 1500 won in 1994.
Domestic automakers have won North American Car of the Year 11 times. Japanese automakers have won three times. European automakers have won four times. A Korean automaker (Hyundai) has won twice.
Domestic automakers have won North American Truck of the Year 13 times. Japanese automakers have won four times. European automakers have won three times.
To be eligible a vehicle must be all new or substantially changed. The jurors considered dozens of new vehicles before sending their ballots to Michelle Collins, a partner at Deloitte & Touche early in December.
On December 12th the three car and truck finalists were announced. But only Ms. Collins knew the winners until she handed over envelopes today to Michelle Krebs, a juror and Editor-at-Large for Edmunds.com.
The awards were inspired by the "Car of the Year" in Europe.
They are administered by an organizing committee and are funded with dues paid by the jurors. There are no paid positions. Automakers do not pay to have their vehicles considered or to use the awards in ads.
The "2012 North American Car of the Year" was the Hyundai Elantra.
Last year's "2012 North American Truck of the Year" was the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque.
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