The Hyundai Elantra sedan was awarded North American Car of the Year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, besting finalists Ford Focus and Volkswagen Passat. The Alabama-made Elantra follows the Genesis sedan, which won the title in 2009. We’re looking forward to more German and Japanese executives getting furious (in Hyundai ads). Will it pick up another major award at the Car of the Year Philippines? Watch out for it at Manila International Auto Show on March 29.
Reportedly, the Focus was a strong contender for the title, missing out only because of the lack of refinement from its double-clutch automatic (which we love, by the way), and the recalcitrance of its Ford Touch and Ford Sync in-vehicle entertainment technology.
Here’s more from Hyundai:
The 2012 Hyundai Elantra took top honors in the most exclusive award in North America when it was named 2012 North American Car of the Year today.
A jury of 50 independent North American automotive journalists evaluated each of the new cars introduced last year and chose the 2012 Hyundai Elantra as the winner. The award was announced at a news conference at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which marks Hyundai’s second win. The Hyundai Genesis was named North American Car of the Year in 2009.
“Elantra speaks to the success of our recipe of bold design and great fuel economy,” said John Krafcik, president and chief executive officer, Hyundai Motor America. “In a year with some truly breakthrough competitors, we are honored that the jury recognizes Elantra’s far-reaching impact on the industry.”
The jurors considered more than 50 new vehicles, before selecting the top three cars and top three trucks. The Volkswagen Passat and Ford Focus were the other car finalists.
This is the 19th year of the awards, which were inspired by the prestigious European “Car of the Year.” The jury is administered by an organizing committee and funded exclusively with dues paid by the jurors. Jurors judge the cars on a number of factors including innovation, impact on the industry, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.
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