2020 North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year finalists announced at AutoMobility LA

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The nine finalists that are vying for the prestigious title of 2020 North American Car of the Year, Utility of the Year and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) were announced today at the LA Auto Show's AutoMobility LA, after they were selected from a competitive field of 29 semi-finalists.

This year, the 2019 finalists are:

The identities of the finalists were revealed after votes from 50 jurors were audited by Deloitte LLP, NACTOY'S accounting firm of record. Those results were kept confidential until they were revealed on stage today at AutoMobility LA by NACTOY's officers. AutoMobility LA is a four-day industry and media event for the automotive industry that precedes the Los Angeles Auto Show, which runs from Nov. 22 to Dec. 1 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

"Every year, manufacturers continue to produce impressive styling and high-quality vehicles with improved safety, more features, more performance and better efficiency. Our job is to evaluate each eligible vehicle and help consumers make wiser choices by presenting the best in each category," NACTOY President Lauren Fix said.

Every year, NACTOY'S jurors vote on the finalists after they spend months driving dozens of new vehicles throughout the year. To be eligible, vehicles must be all-new or substantially new and must be available at dealerships before the end of the year. This year, the field of semi-finalists included 12 models in the car category, 12 utilities and five trucks.

"Competition in the red-hot utility category is especially tough, with entries from a variety of mainstream and luxury classes, including a strong set of three-row crossovers and a new electric SUV," said NACTOY Secretary/Treasurer Kirk Bell. "We look forward to seeing which vehicle our jurors think is best for buyers."

While the total number of eligible truck models was smaller, the category remains intensely competitive.

"Trucks continue to be the backbone of the North American auto industry, both in terms of sales numbers and profits," NACTOY Vice President Chris Paukert said. "This year we have a particularly diverse slate of competitors, from heavy-duty, full-size work trucks to play-hard midsize offerings for weekend warriors. It's a great year to be a truck buyer."

Jurors' evaluate the finalists based on segment leadership, innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. The process started in June 2019 by determining vehicle eligibility and includes three rounds of voting. Jurors voted on the finalists after gathering in Ann Arbor, Michigan in October to test drive the semifinalist vehicles.

Now in their 26^th year, the awards are unique because — instead of being given by a single publication, website, radio or television station — they are selected by a jury of automotive journalists from numerous outlets in the United States and Canada.

The winners of the awards will be presented at 8 a.m. on Jan. 13, 2020 at the TCF Center in Detroit in a partnership with the Detroit Auto Dealers Association and the North American International Auto Show. The 2020 award winners will be revealed in the Atrium of the convention center in Detroit previously known as Cobo Center. Shortly after the NACTOY awards are announced, Cox Automotive will hold its annual 2020 Cox Automotive Industry Insights Breakfast.

For more about NACTOY and its history: http://northamericancaroftheyear.org/

NACTOY officers are available upon request for interviews.

ABOUT NORTH AMERICAN CAR, UTILITY AND TRUCK OF THE YEAR

The NACTOY awards are intended to recognize the most outstanding new vehicles of the year. These vehicles are benchmarks in their segments based on factors including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. The organization gives out three awards. They are: "North American Car of the Year," "North American Utility of the Year," and "North American Truck of the Year." The awards are unique because — instead of being given by a single publication, website, radio or television station — they are given by an independent jury of automotive journalists from the United States and Canada.

SOURCE North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year Awards (NACTOY)

Related Links

http://northamericancaroftheyear.org