Ford a contender for both car and truck of the year

Ford Motor Co., Korean automaker Hyundai and diesel-powered vehicles grabbed the attention of the nation’s automotive journalists who are voting on this year’s North American Car and Truck of the Year.

Finalists for the highly anticipated awards were announced today during a luncheon at Cobo Center hosted by the Detroit Economic Club and the North American International Auto Show. About 450 people attended the event, which was broadcast live by WDIV-TV Local 4.

This year’s Car of the Year finalists are the all-new Ford Flex crossover, the Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan and the Volkswagen Jetta TDI clean diesel car.

Truck of the year finalists are the redesigned Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram pickups, as well as the Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC diesel SUV.

While Ford had the distinction of being the only U.S. automaker to have two vehicles nominated, this was also the first time that a Korean car became a finalist for the award and the first time in 16 years that diesel-powered vehicles were picked as finalists.

Winners of the contest, which will be announced on Jan. 11 during the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, often tout their award in advertisements to entice consumers.

Last year, the North American Car of the Year was the Chevrolet Malibu midsized sedan, while the North American Truck of the Year was the Mazda CX-9 SUV.

Officials with Ford said they are proud of their finalists.

The F-150 is part of the company’s F-Series lineup, which has been the best-selling vehicle in America for 27 years and represents more than one-fourth of the company’s U.S. sales. The redesign this year of the F-150, which went on sale in October, has already been popular and helped the company gain market share in November.

The F-Series gained nearly 5 full percentage points of market share last month. More than 37% of consumers who bought a pickup in November purchased an F-Series.

The Ford Flex, meanwhile, is a boxy, three-row crossover that Ford had hoped would serve as a new icon for the company, which is trying to strengthen its fuel-efficient car and crossover offerings. The vehicle has gotten off to a slow start, however, which Ford officials have blamed on the slow economy. Still, Ford data shows the vehicle is helping Ford win customers back from import automakers.

Ford spokeswoman Jennifer Flake said that being nominated in both the car and truck category shows that Ford is strengthening its entire vehicle lineup.

“Ford’s cars are going to be even more important next year,” Flake said.

Meanwhile, the Hyundai Genesis first went on sale in June and is perhaps Hyundai’s most ambitious vehicle introduction ever in the United States.

“It offers luxury for less,” said Automotive News executive editor Ed Lapham, who hosted the awards nomination luncheon with WDIV anchor Guy Gordon.

Both the Volkswagen Jetta TDI and Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTec are powered by diesel engines.

“It’s something we are going to be seeing a lot more of,” Lapham said.

The 2009 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards are unique in the United States because they are given by 50 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who represent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and web sites. Most other automotive awards are given out by single publications.

The North American Car and Truck of the Year 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.

Original Story - Detroit Free Press