DETROIT — The Ford Motor Company, the only one of the Detroit automakers not to have declared bankruptcy in 2009, made a clean sweep of the 2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. The Ford Fusion Hybrid was named the 2010 North American Car of the Year, while the Ford Transit Connect was named the 2010 North American Truck of the Year as the 2010 Detroit Auto Show kicked off media preview days.
Organizers of the award noted that it was only the third time in 17 years that one automaker has swept the awards. Honda took home both prizes in 2006, and General Motors won both in 2007.
The Ford Fusion Hybrid beat out the Volkswagen Golf/TDI/GTI and the Buick LaCrosse in the final round of voting. The Ford Transit Connect beat out the Chevrolet Equinox and the Subaru Outback.
The Hyundai Genesis was named 2009 North American Car of the Year, while the Ford F-150 was named the North American Truck of the Year.
The Fusion Hybrid defeated a long list of contenders for the 2010 prize, including the Chevrolet Camaro, the Honda Insight, the Kia Soul and the Porsche Panamera. The Ford Transit Connect powered past such contenders as the Acura ZDX, Cadillac SRX, Honda Accord Crosstour and Lincoln MKT as jurors whittled down the list during the fall.
To be eligible, vehicles must be "all new" or "substantially changed" from the previous model. This year, the jury considered more than 50 vehicles.
"The Ford Fusion Hybrid proves that a hybrid sedan can be affordable and desirable and it doesn't have to be quirky to be cool," said Scott Oldham, editor in chief of Inside Line and Car of the Year juror. Other jurors lauded the Transit Connect for its hauling capability at a reasonable price.
The jury pool consists of North American auto journalists and is a coveted prize among automakers.
Inside Line says: It's Ford's year as the Detroit automakers show definite signs of a revival. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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frank908 says:
04:42 PM, 01/13/2010
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks there is WAY TOO MUCH fanfare for cars that are some of the oldest designs on the road.
Frankly, Mazda should have won the award for car of the year since the Fusion was almost completely based off of last generations Mazda 6.
Lame and embarrassing. No wonder the rest of the world doesn't take American cars seriously.
fordracing89 says:
10:34 PM, 01/11/2010
Ford did a really great job!
icecubefosho says:
02:01 PM, 01/11/2010
I wish they gave a criteria on how/what they were graded on.
risdo says:
12:52 PM, 01/11/2010
LAME!!! The new Equinox should have got the nod. It's such a huge improvement from the past version. 32 MPG, nice interior, solid fit and finish. JMO. I can't argue with Fusion Hybrid pick though.
wolfraven says:
09:27 AM, 01/11/2010
@colorado1974:
When you make a claim like this: "Funny how the Transit always is dead last in international comparisons in Europe."
Then you need to provide a link or cite a source. Otherwise, we assume you are just making sh!t up.
colorado1974 says:
08:39 AM, 01/11/2010
POLICITAL BS! There is no way that the Transit could win this if the judging were fair. The Ram HD is hands down the true Truck of the Year!
Funny how the Transit always is dead last in international comparisons in Europe.