Three cars, which happen to each come from an automaker on a different continent, were named as finalists Tuesday for what is considered to be the most prestigious award in the automotive world. The truck category pits Ford vs. General Motors.
Competing for 2015 North American Car of the Year will be Ford Mustang, Hyundai Genesis, and Volkswagen Golf. The three finalists for the 2015 North American Truck/Utility of the Year are the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford F-150, and Lincoln MKC. All were disclosed Tuesday at the Detroit Athletic Club and the winner will be named at next month's North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
When it comes to the cars, none of the models were new but all were significantly redesigned for 2015. The contest, now in its 22nd year, seems to give an edge to Detroit's Big 3 -- GM, Ford and Chrysler. They have won 12 times in the car category. Foreign makers have won nine times, according to the association of auto writers that runs the contest. It breaks down to three wins for Japanese brands, four for Europeans and two for South Koreans.
This year, it's easy to see that Mustang, an American classic that received a thorough update for 2015, could be a favorite. It now comes with a new turbocharged engine option and new suspension, just two of many changes. But the Volkswagen and Hyundai can't be counted out. VW is a German brand and Hyundai is South Korean.
The truck trophy is likely to be a head-to-head battle between Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Colorado. The new F-150 is revolutionary with a body largely made of aluminum, cutting up to 700 pounds compared to steel. But the Colorado marks GM's return to the midsize truck segment and it just won Motor Trend's Truck of the Year honor, beating F-150.
Winners will be announced Jan. 12.
Source : http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2014/12/09/north-american-car-and-truck-of-the-world-finalists/20147089/
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