Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[2013 Ram 1500 tows away <i>Motor Trend</i> Truck of the Year laurels]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/07/2013-ram-1500-tows-away-motor-trend-truck-of-the-year-lau/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/07/2013-ram-1500-tows-away-motor-trend-truck-of-the-year-lau/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/07/2013-ram-1500-tows-away-motor-trend-truck-of-the-year-lau/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2013 Dodge Ram - front three-quarter view

Motor Trend has named their 2013 Truck of the Year, and this time, the coveted honor goes to Chrysler's 2013 Ram 1500. The Ram unseats the Ford F-150 pickup from Truck of the Year with a package that the magazine argues fulfills owners' needs for everyday usability as much as worksite utility.

MT points out that the 1500's available air suspension is a quantum leap in the light-duty pickup segment. This system can raise for more ground clearance or lower for highway driving. Chrysler has been pushing for friendly daily-driver manners for some time now - you'll recall it debuted coils in place of rear leaf springs in the 2009 Ram 1500, back when it the truck was sold under the Dodge nameplate. The new optional air setup is another step towards more comfortable everyday driving.

The Ram 1500 can also be paired with the company's 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 in place of the loveless 3.7-liter unit, in the process getting some pretty surprising fuel economy figures. MT also notes that the interior update - complete with available Uconnect 8.3-inch screen and new rotary shifter - is a welcome upgrade. These attributes have conspired to yield a deserving award for Team Ram, which MT says has nailed the motivations of light-duty truck buyers - comfort and capability in one package.

2013 Ram 1500 tows away Motor Trend Truck of the Year laurels originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Dec 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>15002013 ram 1500dodge rammotor trendmotor trend truck of the yearramtruck of the yearFri, 07 Dec 2012 14:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20397067/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/07/2013-ram-1500-tows-away-motor-trend-truck-of-the-year-lau/20397067/article-detail.xml 20397067 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/2013-ram-1500-crew-cab-slt-4x4-first-drive_thumbnail.jpeg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/2013-ram-1500-crew-cab-slt-4x4-first-drive.jpeg <![CDATA[2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year short list released]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/02/2013-north-american-car-and-truck-utility-of-the-year-short-list/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/02/2013-north-american-car-and-truck-utility-of-the-year-short-list/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/02/2013-north-american-car-and-truck-utility-of-the-year-short-list/#commentsFiled under:

NACTOY crystal award

It's that time of the automotive year again, where the changing of the seasons yields a fresh crop of cars and trucks at dealers and a new bounty of awards. North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year jurors(*) have been flogging all manner of new sheetmetal, and they've culled their long list down to a shorter, more manageable roster, which has just been released.

The list of eleven cars and nine truck/utility vehicles arguably offers few surprises. On the car side, domestic brands have five nominees, as do the Japanese, leaving one slot for a European. On the Truck/Utility side - the award has been renamed to reflect the inclusion of crossover and sport-utility vehicles in addition to traditional body-on-frame trucks - there are three domestic models, four Japanese offerings, a pair of Germans and a Korean.

If there's any conspicuous absence on the list, it's likely the Tesla Model S, which has drawn widespread praise for its electric driving experience, expressive design and impressive performance. As it ramps up production, Tesla has been particularly parsimonious with test vehicles, however, and despite multiple attempts by NACTOY to confirm seat time, few jurors have been able to drive and assess the car.

The jurors will now focus their attention on assessing the vehicles below before another round of voting culls each category down to three finalists. Another round of evaluation and voting will follow, and the winners will be announced at a press conference at the start of Detroit Auto Show media days in January.

The self-funded, completely independent and non-profit NACTOY jury made up of 50 U.S. and Canadian journalists chose the Hyundai Elantra and Land Rover Range Rover Evoque as the winners last year.

Look over the short lists below, then leave your best guess about the winners (or who you think should win) in Comments.

*Full Disclosure: Author is a NACTOY jury member.

2013 North American Car of the Year Short List:
Truck/Utility of the Year Short List:

2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year short list released originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car of the yearnactoynorth american car of the yearnorth american truck of the yearnorth american truck utility of the yeartruck of the yearutility of the yearTue, 02 Oct 2012 10:55:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20339190/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/02/2013-north-american-car-and-truck-utility-of-the-year-short-list/20339190/article-detail.xml 20339190 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/nactoy-award-crystal_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/nactoy-award-crystal.jpg <![CDATA[2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year Award long list announced]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/11/2013-north-american-car-and-truck-utility-of-the-year-award-long/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/11/2013-north-american-car-and-truck-utility-of-the-year-award-long/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/11/2013-north-american-car-and-truck-utility-of-the-year-award-long/#commentsFiled under:

NACTOY crystal award

The 2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year award "long list" is out, and 45 vehicles of all descriptions are set to scrap for the hardware. In 2012, the Hyundai Elantra and Land Rover Range Rover Evoque took home the coveted crystal.

This year's crop of 2013 model-year entries is a diverse bunch in every sense of the word, from styling to powertrain to price point and intended audience size. Car offerings range from mainstreamers like the Dodge Dart, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima to small-volume players including alt-fuel darlings like the Fit EV and Tesla Model S and high-performance supercars like the SRT Viper. In the Truck/Utility category, mainstream offerings include the Escape, Ram 1500 and Mazda CX-5 along with niche models like the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Toyota RAV4 EV.

The long list is so named because it functions as an all-encompassing roundup of new or substantially changed vehicles that will debut in time to be considered for the annual awards. Some of the vehicles may not have even been driven by the 50-member jury yet - it is in essence an eligibility list. Later this autumn, when jurors have driven the vehicles and have a clearer picture of which models deserve further consideration, an initial round of voting will be held. The resulting "short list" of around a dozen vehicles will then be culled further into a list of three finalists in each category after further testing and a subsequent second vote. Voting on the finalists will ensue and the winners will be announced at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

As further evidence that the long list is merely a fluid roster of eligible vehicles, the Lexus LS has been added and the Mazda6 and Kia Cadenza have been removed from consideration (the latter vehicles appeared on earlier published lists but won't be available in time for judging).

Quick studies will notice that there's been a slight but important change to one of the award's names. Reflecting the market's shift away from body-on-frame trucks to more amorphous sport and crossover utility vehicles, the award formerly known as Truck of the Year will be henceforth known as North American Truck/Utility of the Year. Both traditional body-on-frame vehicles and more car-like crossovers will be considered for this diverse category.

See the complete 2013 long list for both categories by scrolling below, then hop into Comments to talk about who you think will win this year's awards.

*Full Disclosure: Author is a NACTOY jury member.

Continue reading 2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year Award long list announced

2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year Award long list announced originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jul 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car of the yearnactoynorth american car and truck of the yeartruck of the yeartruck utility of the yearWed, 11 Jul 2012 16:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20275124/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/11/2013-north-american-car-and-truck-utility-of-the-year-award-long/20275124/article-detail.xml 20275124 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/nactoy-award-crystal_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/nactoy-award-crystal.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Consumer Reports</i> Top Pickup for 2012 is... the Chevrolet Avalanche?!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/29/consumer-reports-top-pickup-for-2012-is-the-chevrolet/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/29/consumer-reports-top-pickup-for-2012-is-the-chevrolet/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/29/consumer-reports-top-pickup-for-2012-is-the-chevrolet/#commentsFiled under: ,



Four Wheeler magazine named the Ram Power Wagon its 2012 Pickup Truck of the Year, and it's an award that celebrates features we associate with so-called "serious" pickups, like a two-speed transfer case, trail performance and vinyl flooring. But what if you want a Pickup Truck of the Year that's got a little less pickup in it? Consumer Reports holds your answer, as it chose the Chevrolet Avalanche as the 2012 Top Pick Pickup Truck.

Why? Because of, as far as we can tell, its versatility and the ways it feels more like a Chevrolet Suburban than a Power Wagon: interior, fire-and-forget four-wheel drive, decent acceleration and comfy ride. Or, put another way, because even though it's not a Chevrolet Suburban it can do almost everything a Suburban can do as well as hold a kayak. But you can't see out the back, because there's a bed there. Follow the jump for the CR video report.

Continue reading Consumer Reports Top Pickup for 2012 is... the Chevrolet Avalanche?!

Consumer Reports Top Pickup for 2012 is... the Chevrolet Avalanche?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 chevrolet avalancheavalanchechevroletconsumer reportspickuptop pick pickup trucktruck of the yearyoutubeWed, 29 Feb 2012 18:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20182347/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/29/consumer-reports-top-pickup-for-2012-is-the-chevrolet/20182347/article-detail.xml 20182347 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/cravalancetoty_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/cravalancetoty.jpg <![CDATA[NACTOY changes truck award to "Truck/Utility of the Year"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/31/nactoy-changes-truck-award-to-truck-utility-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/31/nactoy-changes-truck-award-to-truck-utility-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/31/nactoy-changes-truck-award-to-truck-utility-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque wins 2012 North American Truck of the Year award

This year's selection for North American Truck of the Year was something of a sign of the times as the pool of nominees didn't really fit the traditional definition of "truck" - beasts of burden with features like a low range, open bed and/or body-on-frame construction. Not only were all three finalists crossovers (including the winning 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque), but so were the other four on the short list of nominees.

The jury has been monitoring the market's shift from body-on-frame SUVs to unibody-based crossovers for years now, and detailed discussions about whether to alter the name of its Truck of The Year award have been a staple conversation among members of the voting pool for perhaps half a decade. Those debates have finally bore fruit. Beginning with next year's award, instead of North American Truck of the Year, the hardware will be awarded as the North American Truck/Utility of the Year.

The name change should not only be a bit cleaner when it comes to including the market's ever-diversifying pool of crossovers, it will also afford room on the other end of the spectrum for the inclusion of heavy-duty full-size trucks, a segment of vehicles that previously weren't eligible. The change reflects another shift in the market, where vehicles like the Ford F-Series Super Duty and Ram 2500 HD are no longer being considered solely for purchase as work trucks - more and more everyday consumers are looking to them as capable daily drivers. The jury had previously considered only light-duty trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Toyota Tacoma for the award.

With the crossover segment mushrooming in popularity and diversifying rapidly, it's become difficult to readily classify what constitutes a crossover vehicle as opposed to a car. Branches of the U.S. government classify the exact same vehicle as a car and a truck, automakers invent new terminology to trumpet, journalists call them one thing and consumers end up labeling them another. The NACTOY jury will thus look to indicators like overall height and capability to help funnel eligible vehicles into the Car of the Year or Truck/Utility of the Year category.

NACTOY changes truck award to "Truck/Utility of the Year" originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car of the yearnactoynorth american car and truck of the yearnorth american car and truck utility of the yearnorth american car of the yearnorth american truck of the yearnorth american truck utility of the yeartruck of the yeartruck utility of the yearutility of the yearTue, 31 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20160921/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/31/nactoy-changes-truck-award-to-truck-utility-of-the-year/20160921/article-detail.xml 20160921 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/evoque-nactoy-win_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/evoque-nactoy-win.jpg <![CDATA[Hyundai Elantra, Range Rover Evoque named 2012 North American Car and Truck of the Year [UPDATE]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/09/hyundai-elantra-range-rover-evoque-named-2012-north-american-ca/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/09/hyundai-elantra-range-rover-evoque-named-2012-north-american-ca/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/09/hyundai-elantra-range-rover-evoque-named-2012-north-american-ca/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2011 Hyundai Elantra

Land Rover Range Rover EvoqueAnd now, ladies and gentlemen, the moment you've all been waiting for... the Car of the Year awards to rule all Car of the Year awards... the definitive selection of the very best the industry has to offer has been decided. Well, we don't know about all that, but the votes have been tabulated and the assembled jurists (including our own Chris Paukert) have selected the 2012 North American Car and Truck of the Year.

The finalists were whittled down from a list of 30 candidates to include the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and Volkswagen Passat (on the car side of the equation) and the BMW X3, Honda CR-V and Range Rover Evoque (on the truck side, despite them all being car-based crossovers). And after (what we hope was) careful consideration, the panelists have selected the Elantra and the Evoque as the overall winners.

The awards will undoubtedly sit proudly atop the mantles at both Hyundai and Jaguar/Land Rover's headquarters, but will surely be received with particular jubilation by Land Rover, which has won the award for the first time in this, its largest market.

UPDATE: Official press release with voting tally added after the jump.

Continue reading Hyundai Elantra, Range Rover Evoque named 2012 North American Car and Truck of the Year [UPDATE]

Hyundai Elantra, Range Rover Evoque named 2012 North American Car and Truck of the Year [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 detroit auto show2012 north american car and truck of the yearawardawardscar of the yeardetroitdetroit 2012detroit auto showelantrahyundaihyundai elantraland roverland rover evoqueland rover range rover evoquenorth american car and truck of the yearnorth american car of the yearnorth american truck of the yearrange roverrange rover evoquetruck of the yearMon, 09 Jan 2012 07:46:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20143646/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/09/hyundai-elantra-range-rover-evoque-named-2012-north-american-ca/20143646/article-detail.xml 20143646 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/elantra08_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/elantra08.jpg <![CDATA[Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #262 LIVE]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/28/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-262-live/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/28/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-262-live/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/28/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-262-live/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Autoblog Podcast

We record Episode #262 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and you can drop us your questions via our Q&A module below. Check out our discussion topics or chime in to help determine what else the crew chats about this evening. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #262
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator

Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #262 LIVE originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aol autos car of the yearaol autos truck of the yearautoblog podcast topicscar of the yearchevrolet pickupdodge calibergeneral motors pickupgmc pickuptruck of the yearWed, 28 Dec 2011 17:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20136753/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/28/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-262-live/20136753/article-detail.xml 20136753 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/podcastlivev2stamp_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/podcastlivev2stamp.jpg <![CDATA[AOL Autos chooses first-ever Car and Truck/SUV of the Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/23/aol-autos-chooses-first-ever-car-and-truck-suv-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/23/aol-autos-chooses-first-ever-car-and-truck-suv-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/23/aol-autos-chooses-first-ever-car-and-truck-suv-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under: , ,

AOL Autos 2012 Car of the Year

AOL Autos 2012 Truck of the YearAOL Autos, sibling channel to Autoblog, has chosen a Car of the Year and Truck of the Year for the first time.

Editor-in-Chief David Kiley dubbed the awards, "Editors' Choice Awards", reflecting the fact that the selections were made by polling AOL Editors for their nominations. Their choices were discussed and consolidated with winners and three runners up per category.

Autoblog editors and staff did not participate in voting.

"Since we test just about every vehicle on the market, and certainly all the newly designed vehicles that come out, I felt like we should assert our collective opinion into the mix," said Kiley.

"This was a very good year for cars, which made it tough, but not a great year for eligible SUVs and trucks. But I feel really strongly about the choices we made; that both vehicles could win in any year," said Kiley.

To see the winners and runner-ups, click here. And please, argue the selections in the comment areas.

AOL Autos chooses first-ever Car and Truck/SUV of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 aol autos car of the year2012 aol autos suv of the year2012 aol autos truck of the yearaol autoscar of the yearsuv of the yeartruck of the yearFri, 23 Dec 2011 19:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20134736/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/23/aol-autos-chooses-first-ever-car-and-truck-suv-of-the-year/20134736/article-detail.xml 20134736 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/aol-autos-coty_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/aol-autos-coty.jpg <![CDATA[Ford F-150 named 2012 <i>Motor Trend</i> Truck of the Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/12/ford-f-150-named-2012-motor-trend-truck-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/12/ford-f-150-named-2012-motor-trend-truck-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/12/ford-f-150-named-2012-motor-trend-truck-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under: ,

2012 Ford F-150 Patinum

The next in the never-ending list of 'OTYs comes courtesy of Motor Trend and the buff book's crowning of the 2012 Ford F-150 as its Truck of the Year.

Aside from the expansive list of standard and optional features, the F-150's general fitment and polish, and Ford's claim that you can spec your workhorse in one of 650,000 different varieties, what seemed to win over the Motor Trend crew more than anything else was its drivetrain. And one engine in particular.

While the 5.0-liter V8 was a favorite, after all the judges sampled a Platinum EcoBoost SuperCrew variant fitted with the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6, the vote was unanimous. The combination of 365 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, along with commendable - if not world-beating - fuel economy and 11,300-pound towing capacity was enough to put the EcoBoost over the top. Read all about the magazine's testing and assessment in its official pronouncement and check out a related video after the jump.

Continue reading Ford F-150 named 2012 Motor Trend Truck of the Year

Ford F-150 named 2012 Motor Trend Truck of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 ford f-1502012 truck of the yearecobostf-150fordmotor trendtruck of the yearMon, 12 Dec 2011 13:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20126221/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/12/ford-f-150-named-2012-motor-trend-truck-of-the-year/20126221/article-detail.xml 20126221 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/12f150platinslhr-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/12f150platinslhr-628.jpg <![CDATA[Chevrolet Volt, Ford Explorer named <i>Detroit Free Press</i> Car and Truck of the Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/30/chevrolet-volt-ford-explorer-named-detroit-free-press-ca/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/30/chevrolet-volt-ford-explorer-named-detroit-free-press-ca/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/30/chevrolet-volt-ford-explorer-named-detroit-free-press-ca/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2011 Chevrolet Volt
2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

As more and more Car and Truck of the Year awards pour in from a variety of major publications, it's no shock that the 2011 Chevrolet Volt continues to take home top honors as the best car of 2011. Both Motor Trend and Automobile have deemed the Volt their Car of the Year, and General Motors' high-profile EV is even a finalist for the prestigious North American Car of the Year award. (Our readers, however, would apparently rather see that honor go to the 2011 Hyundai Sonata). Thus, it's no surprise that the Volt was just named Car of the Year by The Detroit Free Press.

2011 Ford ExplorerSimilarly, the 2011 Ford Explorer is in the running for North American Truck of the Year, and the Detroit Free Press is honoring it as the best 'truck' of 2011. Freep auto critic Mark Phelan states that in the road ahead, automakers must choose the "right shade of green" for each type of vehicle. Phelan explains:

"The Volt allows most owners to go weeks or months without stopping at a gas pump. The Explorer recasts America's best-selling SUV in a fuel-efficient new form based on the same chassis as the Ford Taurus large sedan."
Interestingly, The Detroit Free Press details its second and third place choices for Car of the Year, with the Hyundai Sonata and Nissan Leaf taking those spots, respectively. These two vehicles are finalists for the North American Car of the Year award, and we're wondering if the Free Press' predictions foreshadow the decisions that the NACTOY judges will make (Note: Phelan is a member of the jury). We'll have the answer to that in just a few weeks, but for now, we tip our hats to the Volt and Explorer on taking home the Detroit Free Press awards.


Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt: First Drive

2011 Chevrolet Volt2011 Chevrolet Volt2011 Chevrolet Volt

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer: First Drive

2011 Ford Explorer2011 Ford Explorer2011 Ford Explorer2011 Ford Explorer2011 Ford Explorer

Photos copyright (C)2010 Chris Paukert and Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Chevrolet Volt, Ford Explorer named Detroit Free Press Car and Truck of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 chevrolet volt2011 ford explorercar of the yearchevroletdetroit free pressexplorerfordmark phelantruck of the yearvoltThu, 30 Dec 2010 14:14:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19781545/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/30/chevrolet-volt-ford-explorer-named-detroit-free-press-ca/19781545/article-detail.xml 19781545 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/2011chevroletvoltopt1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/2011chevroletvoltopt1.jpg <![CDATA[<em>Motor Trend</em> Truck of the Year? The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/12/motor-trend-truck-of-the-year-the-2011-chevrolet-silve/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/12/motor-trend-truck-of-the-year-the-2011-chevrolet-silve/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/12/motor-trend-truck-of-the-year-the-2011-chevrolet-silve/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Chevrolet Silverado HD named 2011 Motor Trend Truck of the Year
GM CEO Dan Akerson being presented Motor Trend's 2011 Truck of the Year award

Motor Trend is following up its somewhat controversial decision to crown the Chevrolet Volt as its 2011 Car of the Year with a safer call for its 2011 Truck of the Year award. The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD was announced as the magazine's TOTY during a ceremony before the 111th Army-Navy Game at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, giving General Motors' volume brand a pair of golden calipers to crow about all next year.

Chevy's heavy-duty version of its Silverado pickup truck was significantly upgraded this year, though it faced a tough pair of competitors in the equally improved 2011 GMC Sierra HD and the also-upgraded 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty. The Sierra HD looks almost identical on the outside compared to the 2010 model, but Chevy engineers worked magic on all the mechanicals beneath the surface. A significantly more powerful Duramax turbodiesel, excellent six-speed transmissions, reworked suspension and fully boxed frame were enough to put the Silverado HD ahead of its corporate cousin and crosstown rival in the minds of Motor Trend editors.

Curiously, the magazine claims it doesn't often have an apples-to-apples fight for its Truck of the Year award, but this year just happened to line up a trio of new-enough heavy duty pickups. The only truck missing was the Ram Heavy Duty, which was new for 2010. Chevy should probably be glad the Ram HD missed the cut off mark, as Dodge's heavy hauler holds the crown as Motor Trend's 2010 Truck of the Year.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Continue reading Motor Trend Truck of the Year? The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD

Motor Trend Truck of the Year? The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Dec 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 chevrolet silverado hd2011 truck of the yearchevroletgeneral motorsgmmotor trendsilverado hdsilverado heavy dutytruck of the yearSun, 12 Dec 2010 10:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19756918/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/12/motor-trend-truck-of-the-year-the-2011-chevrolet-silve/19756918/article-detail.xml 19756918 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/motor-trend-truck-of-the-year-2011_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/motor-trend-truck-of-the-year-2011.jpg <![CDATA[Vote for your picks for the Internet Car and Truck of the Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/08/vote-for-your-picks-for-the-internet-car-and-truck-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/08/vote-for-your-picks-for-the-internet-car-and-truck-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/08/vote-for-your-picks-for-the-internet-car-and-truck-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under:

internet car of the year logo

Jealous that only journalists seem to be able to weigh in on "car of the year" judging? Now's your chance to make your own voice heard! Voting is underway for the Internet Car and Truck of the Year, now in its second year. The ICATOY actually pools votes from two juries for a pair of awards - one from professional internet auto writers (*full disclosure: author is a member of said jury) and the other from enthusiasts like yourself.

Before you go and make your picks, we've assembled a gallery of the semi-finalists in both the car and truck categories. Take a look, then go tell them what you think! The official press release explaining the whole process is posted after the jump.


Gallery: Internet Car and Truck of the Year Semi-Finalists

[Source: Internet Car and Truck of the Year]

Continue reading Vote for your picks for the Internet Car and Truck of the Year

Vote for your picks for the Internet Car and Truck of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car of the yearcar of the year 2010car of the year awardinternet car and truck of the yearInternet Car and Truck of the Year AwardInternet Car of the YearInternet Truck of the Yeartruck of the yearFri, 08 Oct 2010 18:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19665601/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/10/08/vote-for-your-picks-for-the-internet-car-and-truck-of-the-year/19665601/article-detail.xml 19665601 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/icttoy_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/icttoy.jpg <![CDATA[Audi S4 named <i>Esquire</i> Car of the Year [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/13/audi-s4-named-esquire-car-of-the-year-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/13/audi-s4-named-esquire-car-of-the-year-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/13/audi-s4-named-esquire-car-of-the-year-w-video/#commentsFiled under:

2010 Audi S4 - Esquire 2010 COTY
Esquire's 2010 COTY is the 2010 Audi S4 - Click above to watch video after the jump

Esquire, the purveyor of printed pages packed with ads and male-centric eye-candy, has released its list of 2010 automotive award winners. The top award is the Car of the Year and the magazine is handing that title to the 2010 Audi S4. Esquire makes a strong statement behind its reasoning, and it's hard to argue with its logic.
Numbers and stats are starting points, but we believe that the Esquire Car of the Year should make you feel something deep in your gut. You should lust for it and dream about it, but it shouldn't be an impossible goal. It must be attainable for the average man. It should sit in front of your house or office without drawing attention to itself and tackle four seasons of day-to-day transportation with ease. Yet crucially, sometimes, without warning, it must make you snatch the keys off the wall, haul off to the country and just drive.
After putting our own butts in the driver's seat, we felt the B8 S4 was a wonderful leap forward over the past B6 and B7 iterations, particularly with the new supercharged V6 and trick torque vectoring sport differential.

Esquire hands out more than just a COTY award as well. The magazine scoured the current crop of automotive excellence and handed out check pluses for: Domestic Car of the Year, Hybrid of the Year, Most Awe-Inspiring Car Built This Year, Compact Car of the Year, Most Beautiful Car of the Year, Truck of the Year, Diesel Car of the Year, Best Foreign Comeback, Best Domestic Comeback and Best Expression of Automotive Passion. Who wins? You're going to have to make the jump to find out. And there's a nice little video of the Audi S4 happily accepting its award.


Gallery: Review: 2010 Audi S4


Photos copyright (C)2009 Damon Lavrinc / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Esquire]

Continue reading Audi S4 named Esquire Car of the Year [w/video]

Audi S4 named Esquire Car of the Year [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 audi s42010 audi s4 esquire cotyaudiAudi S4best domestic comebackbest foreign comebackcar of the yearcar of the year 2010compact car of the yearCotycoty 2010diesel car of the yeardomestic of the yearesquireesquire magazinehybrid of the yeartruck of the yearMon, 13 Sep 2010 18:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19631720/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/09/13/audi-s4-named-esquire-car-of-the-year-w-video/19631720/article-detail.xml 19631720 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/2010-esquire-coty-audi-s4-1284402025_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/2010-esquire-coty-audi-s4-1284402025.jpg <![CDATA[Ford employees take <i>Motor Trend</i> calipers to Disney World, hit TSA snag in Detroit]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/27/ford-employees-take-motor-trend-calipers-to-disney-land/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/27/ford-employees-take-motor-trend-calipers-to-disney-land/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/27/ford-employees-take-motor-trend-calipers-to-disney-land/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

When we look at Motor Trend magazine's golden calipers, we think of a prestigious trophy awarded each year to the publication's top car and truck of the year. Apparently, the Transportation Security Administration officials at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport see a weapon of mass destruction. Or something.

The proud engineers at Ford have been taking their well-deserved 2010 Ford Fusion Car of the Year award all over town, taking pictures and having a little fun, mimicking what athletes do when they win Lord Stanley's Cup in hockey or the Lombardi Trophy in football. Ford Research & Advanced Engineering employee Tony Phillips went as far as Disney World with the award, but apparently not before coming to the attention of the TSA at Detroit Metro airport. Phillips had rightly brought the sizable trophy onto the plane as a carry-on - after all, who would want to tell Allan Mulally that they lost the trophy at baggage claim?

MT's shiny hardware was eventually let on the plane after "some interesting discussion, and it made its way to Orlando to ride some rides and hang with Mickey. Surprisingly, the Orlando TSA agents were more familiar with Ford's award than were the security agents in the Motor City, and congratulations were given to them on the accomplishment. Just as an FYI for Ford, you can bring by your trophy to Autoblog headquarters any time you wish. We won't even frisk you at the door.

[Source: @Ford Online]

Ford employees take Motor Trend calipers to Disney World, hit TSA snag in Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford fusion2010FordFusionairportairport securityAirportSecuritycar of the yearCarOfTheYearDetroit MetroDetroitMetroDisneydisney worldDisneyWorldfordmotor trendmotor trend car of the yearMotorTrendMotorTrendCarOfTheYeartruck of the yearTruckOfTheYearTSAWed, 27 Jan 2010 18:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19332628/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/01/27/ford-employees-take-motor-trend-calipers-to-disney-land/19332628/article-detail.xml 19332628 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/disney-mt-award_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/disney-mt-award.jpg <![CDATA[Subaru a historic two-timer as Outback wins <i>Motor Trend</i> SUV of the Year award]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/subaru-a-historic-two-timer-as-outback-wins-i-motor-trend-i-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/subaru-a-historic-two-timer-as-outback-wins-i-motor-trend-i-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/subaru-a-historic-two-timer-as-outback-wins-i-motor-trend-i-s/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2010 Subaru Outback - Click above for high-res image gallery

Subaru is a historic two-timer. For the second year in a row, the Japanese company has claimed Motor Trend magazine's coveted Golden Calipers for its SUV of the Year award - the first time any automaker has managed to do so. The company's new-for-2010 Outback has evidently picked up where last year's Forester left off, and we understand why - it's a dynamite all-around package.

The lifted Legacy did face some stiff competition, including vehicles we've enjoyed driving recently - players like the Audi Q5, Volvo XC60, Lincoln MKT, and Mercedes-Benz GLK. But from where we sit, the Subie's most formidable opposition for the award were all premium priced offerings, and the Outback is a more affordable jack-of-all-trades with few compromises - especially now that Subaru's engineers have seen fit to let out the back seat a bit. In any case, you can check out the official press release after the jump or read our review of the Outback by clicking here.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Subaru Outback


[Source: Motor Trend]

Continue reading Subaru a historic two-timer as Outback wins Motor Trend SUV of the Year award

Subaru a historic two-timer as Outback wins Motor Trend SUV of the Year award originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 outback2010 Subaru outback2010Outback2010SubaruOutbackcar awardCarAwardcrossovermotor trendMotorTrendsubaru legacysubaru outbackSubaruLegacySubaruOutbackSUV awardSUV of the yearSuvAwardSuvOfTheYeartruck awardtruck of the yearTruckAwardTruckOfTheYearThu, 15 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19196980/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/15/subaru-a-historic-two-timer-as-outback-wins-i-motor-trend-i-s/19196980/article-detail.xml 19196980 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/2010outback_review000_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/2010outback_review000_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Civics Class: Vote for the Internet Car and Truck of the Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/16/civics-class-vote-for-the-internet-car-and-truck-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/16/civics-class-vote-for-the-internet-car-and-truck-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/16/civics-class-vote-for-the-internet-car-and-truck-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under:


The semi-finalists are in for the first annual Internet Car and Truck of The Year coronation, and now its time to let you, the genteel habitués of the world wide web, cast your own votes. Us autowriter types, including moi, have winnowed the bewildering field down to a list of seven contenders each for the car and truck categorie.

Voting is already underway at internetcarandtruckoftheyear.com and runs for a month. If you want to show off, there's also a writing contest that auto journos of any ilk can submit entries for. The full press release is posted after the jump so you can take a peek at what vehicles have been deemed good enough to make it this far. In its inaugural run, the ICATOTY is the only award of its type that allows the public a voice, so make sure yours is heard!

[Source: InternetcarandTruckoftheYear]

Continue reading Civics Class: Vote for the Internet Car and Truck of the Year

Civics Class: Vote for the Internet Car and Truck of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car and truck of the yearcar of the yearCarAndTruckOfTheYearCarOfTheYearfalseinternet carinternet car and truck of the yearinternet car awardinternet votingInternetCarInternetCarAndTruckOfTheYearInternetCarAwardInternetVotingtruck of the yearTruckOfTheYearvotingWed, 16 Sep 2009 16:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19162883/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/09/16/civics-class-vote-for-the-internet-car-and-truck-of-the-year/19162883/article-detail.xml 19162883 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/web_ready_jpg_1_ef7r_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/web_ready_jpg_1_ef7r_opt.jpg <![CDATA[N.A. Car and Truck of the Year Finalists Announced]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/18/n-a-car-and-truck-of-the-year-finalists-announced/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/18/n-a-car-and-truck-of-the-year-finalists-announced/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/18/n-a-car-and-truck-of-the-year-finalists-announced/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Click either image for a high-res gallery of the NACOTY and TOTY nominees

Now that the motoring world has announced the International COTY and TOTY contenders, the finalists for North American Car and Truck of the Year have been revealed. The six chosen chariots consist of some of the same nameplates, but whereas the international body tapped the Dodge Challenger, Ford Flex and Nissan GT-R for the car honors, the 50 N.A. automotive journalists have elected the Ford Flex, Hyundai Genesis and Volkswagen Jetta TDI as finalists for the 2009 NACOTY. So the Challenger makes the International list but not the North American one? Baffling. The Nissan GT-R didn't make the N.A. cut, but it could be argued that the Flex and Genesis are more important to their respective companies, and the Jetta, well, it's green and all. The Jetta TDI did appear on the separate Earth, Wind & Power list from the international committee.

On the Truck side we have the Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram making both lists, but the N.A. group selected another Earth, Wind & Power nominee, the Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC, instead of the internationally-nominated Subaru Forester. All of the contendors seem worthy of recognition, but we're sure you'll have your own suggestions, as do we. Both sets of winners will be announced January 11th at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The full press release with all of the eligible nominees is after the jump and we've assembled a gallery of the finalists below.

Gallery: 2009 North American Car and Truck of the Year finalists

Hyundai Genesis SedanVolkswagen Jetta TDIFord FlexFord F-150Dodge Ram

[Source: North American Car & Truck of the Year]

Continue reading N.A. Car and Truck of the Year Finalists Announced

N.A. Car and Truck of the Year Finalists Announced originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car of the yearCarOfTheYearcotydodge ramDodgeRamford f-150ford flexFordF-150FordFlexhyundai genesisHyundaiGenesisMercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTECMercedes-benzMl320BluetecNA Car of the yearNA truck of the yearNaCarOfTheYearNaTruckOfTheYeartotytruck of the yearTruckOfTheYearvolkswagen jetta tdiVolkswagenJettaTdiThu, 18 Dec 2008 15:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1405657/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/12/18/n-a-car-and-truck-of-the-year-finalists-announced/1405657/article-detail.xml 1405657 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/09f150platinum_06_hr_280op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/09f150platinum_06_hr_280op.jpg <![CDATA[Yee-haw! Toyota Tundra named TOTY by... farmers?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/28/yee-haw-toyota-tundra-named-toty-by-farmers/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/28/yee-haw-toyota-tundra-named-toty-by-farmers/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/28/yee-haw-toyota-tundra-named-toty-by-farmers/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Click above to view more high-res shots of the Toyota Tundra


Congrats to the Toyota Tundra. It has just been named "Truck of the Year" by Farm Industry News, a leading product and technology magazine for "high-income, Midwestern farmers" (their words, not ours). Though an accolade from FIM doesn't carry as much weight with normal shoppers as does a pair of golden calipers from Motor Trend, the award is still significant. As automakers watch buyers turn away from trucks as lifestyle vehicles, the endorsement of a magazine read by people who actually use a truck for its intended purpose has its own gravitas.

Then again, just how does a farm magazine determine the truck of the year? In the case of Farm Industry News, you simply add up all of the reader responses to product information (you know, those tear-out cards) and determine which is most popular. Considering the Toyota Tundra was all-new last year, it probably goes without saying that it was going to make the biggest splash!

Gallery: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited


[Source: Farm Industry News]

Continue reading Yee-haw! Toyota Tundra named TOTY by... farmers?

Yee-haw! Toyota Tundra named TOTY by... farmers? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Feb 2008 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Farm Industry NewsFarmIndustryNewsToyota TundraToyotaTundraTruck of the YearTruckOfTheYearThu, 28 Feb 2008 08:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1124641/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/02/28/yee-haw-toyota-tundra-named-toty-by-farmers/1124641/article-detail.xml 1124641 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/dsc_0021_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/dsc_0021_opt.jpg <![CDATA[2007 Chevy Silverado named MT Truck of the Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/19/2007-chevy-silverado-named-mt-truck-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/19/2007-chevy-silverado-named-mt-truck-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/19/2007-chevy-silverado-named-mt-truck-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The 2007 Chevrolet Silverado has captured the coveted calipers for being voted the Motor Trend Truck of the Year winner for 2007. This year's field of contenders included the Chevrolet Avalanche, the Chevrolet Silverado, the Cadillac Escalade EXT, the Ford Explorer Sport Trac and the GMC Sierra.

The one thing that really sums up emotions about the new Silverado is that GM has really done a good job of modernizing an American icon. The truck doesn't stray far from its roots, but combines a strong new look with excellent interior amenities, powertrains, and configuration flexibility.

There are three things that are considered when judging the trucks in this competition; Significance, Superiority and Value. These are the three categories that have come to the forefront as most important to consumers over the 48-year history of the Truck of the Year competition. Is the Silverado deserving over the crowd of other contenders? Motor Trend thinks so, but do you?

[Source: Motor Trend]

2007 Chevy Silverado named MT Truck of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Dec 2006 11:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2007 Motor Trend TOTY2007MotorTrendTotyChevySilveradoTruck of the YearTruckOfTheYearTue, 19 Dec 2006 11:37:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/721348/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/12/19/2007-chevy-silverado-named-mt-truck-of-the-year/721348/article-detail.xml 721348 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/12/112_0612_01z_toty2007_chevrolet_silveradofront_beauty_shot-(450-x-281)_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/12/112_0612_01z_toty2007_chevrolet_silveradofront_beauty_shot-(450-x-281).jpg <![CDATA[Re-Vote! Jeep Wrangler accidentally left off TOTY balloting]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/15/re-vote-jeep-wrangler-accidentally-left-off-toty-balloting/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/15/re-vote-jeep-wrangler-accidentally-left-off-toty-balloting/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/15/re-vote-jeep-wrangler-accidentally-left-off-toty-balloting/#commentsFiled under: ,



Due to an egregious omission of the 2007 Jeep Wrangler on the ballot for the 2007 North American Truck of the Year Award, jurors are being asked to revote for finalists of the honor that's traditionally bestowed upon the most deserving truck at the beginning of the Detroit Auto Show. Voting officially closed for the truck award on December 6th, but jurors now have until next Tuesday, December 19th, to revote. According to Automotive News, jurors have 25 points to distribute among the candidates, the maximum a vehicle can get is 10 and only one score of 10 can be awarded.

The Chevy Silverado, Ford Edge and Mazda CX-7 have already been chosen as finalists, and if the Wrangler finishes among the top three in the revote, it wlll become the fourth finalist.

Unfortunately Automotive News didn't find out the reason why the Jeep Wrangler was left off the ballot, so we can only suspect a vast right wing conspiracy as the root cause (j/k). Regardless, we should find out whether or not the Wrangle makes the cut before the awards are announced and presented on January 7th at the beginning of the Media Preview days of the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

[Source: Automotive News]

Re-Vote! Jeep Wrangler accidentally left off TOTY balloting originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Dec 2006 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2007NAIASNorth American Truck of the YearNorthAmericanTruckOfTheYearTOTYTruck of the YearTruckOfTheYearWranglerFri, 15 Dec 2006 16:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/719644/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/12/15/re-vote-jeep-wrangler-accidentally-left-off-toty-balloting/719644/article-detail.xml 719644 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/12/jp007_094wr_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/12/jp007_094wr.jpg -1 2