The Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and Volkswagen Passat have been chosen as finalists for the 2012 North American Car of the Year award, the Automotive Press Association announced.
In the truck category, the finalists are the BMW XE, Honda CR-V and Range Rover Evoque.
The winners of the 19th annual competition will be named on Jan. 9, prior to the opening of the Detroit auto show. Last year’s winners were the Chevrolet Volt and Ford Explorer.
The awards for new or substantially redesigned vehicles are judged by 50 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada. Criteria include general design, safety, fuel economy, handling and roadworthiness, performance, comfort, quality, functionality, innovation, driver satisfaction, price and value, the journalists say.
Ronald Schaefer (Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:10:15 +0000): Why would the range rover be voted truck of the year, maybe for consuming the most gas. What a joke.