January 11, 2009 – A jury of 50 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada has selected the Hyundai Genesis as the 2009 North American Car of the Year and the Ford F-150 as the 2009 North American Truck of the Year.

The awards are designed to recognize the most outstanding new vehicles in their segments.

The awards are based on factors that include innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. Because the vehicles are new reliability is not a factor.

The awards are unique in the United States because they are given by automotive journalists who represent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and web sites instead of a single publication. Also, unlike some other awards, the awards are financed entirely by the jurors.

The winners were announced today at a news conference at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, however, the show does not give the awards and the voting does not take place there.

In December the top three cars and trucks were announced. The car finalists were the Ford Flex, Hyundai Genesis and the Volkswagen Jetta TDI. The truck finalists were the Dodge Ram, the Ford F-150 and the Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC.

The Genesis received 189 points, the Flex received 180 and the Jetta TDI received 131.

The F-150 received 259 points, the Ram received 167 points and the Mercedes received 74 points.

The awards were first given in 1994.

Today was the first time a Korean automaker has won.

Today was the fifth time Ford has won the North American Truck of the Year and the third win for the F-150. The other winners were the Expedition and Escape Hybrid.

Michelle Collins, Vice Chairman Automotive at Deloitte & Touche, was responsible for counting the ballots, which jurors sent directly to the accounting firm. Until the news conference Ms. Collins was the only person who knew the winners.

Last year the North American Car of the Year was the Chevrolet Malibu and the North American Truck of the Year was the Mazda CX-9.

 

[Source: North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards]

Image Credit: cars.com

How would you feel if your friend called to inform you that she’s already out of work? And your neighbor arrived with a sad face because he too, has just lost his job. Sure enough, you’ll be afraid of making big purchases because of the fear that you would be next. How about your plan of buying a car? Would you just let that be a dream that doesn’t come true?

Now here’s good news for you: Hyundai is offering an innovative program to attract potential buyers to buy a Hyundai. The Korean automaker ties up with WALKAWAY USA for the “Hyundai Assurance Program” which allows the buyer to return the Hyundai model within the first year if he loses his job or his source of income.

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 01/02/2009 Hyundai Motor America announced today an agreement with WALKAWAY USA, LLC to offer consumers unique financial protection in this uncertain economic environment called the “Hyundai Assurance Program.” Beginning today, Hyundai will provide a private label version of WALKAWAY® Protection for Automotive Financing as a complimentary 12-month vehicle return program provided on every new Hyundai that is financed or leased at participating dealers. WALKAWAY USA, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EFG Companies, a Dallas-based, national performance management company serving the retail automotive industry. The Hyundai Assurance Program expands the protection offered through “The Hyundai Advantage: America’s Best Warranty,” which has provided 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain protection to Hyundai owners for a decade.

The Hyundai Assurance Program is complimentary for one full year, covers all Hyundai models and is available to everyone.

“In this uncertain economy, we are looking for ways to reassure shoppers that Hyundai still represents the best value in the auto industry,” said John Krafcik, acting president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “Our agreement with WALKAWAY allows us to offer a unique form of financial protection in all 50 states for the first time by an automaker.”

The Hyundai Assurance Program, the first of its kind for an automaker in the U.S. auto industry, will be offered to Hyundai exclusively by WALKAWAY USA. WALKAWAY USA holds the exclusive U.S. distribution license to the WALKAWAY program originated in Canada. Since its introduction in Canada in 2000, WALKAWAY has made it possible for consumers to walk away from over $35 million in automotive-related debt and has provided WALKAWAY retailers with a competitive sales advantage.

“We are pleased to collaborate with Hyundai in offering this program through an automaker for the first time in the United States,” said Paul Budvitis, president of WALKAWAY USA, LLC. “WALKAWAY is one of the most innovative products to hit the auto-finance marketplace, addressing consumers’ most pressing challenge to purchasing a new car in today’s economy.”

The Hyundai Assurance Program complements America’s Best Warranty as standard protection on new vehicles financed or leased from a participating Hyundai dealer, and supplements all existing consumer incentives. The program is available to any consumer, regardless of age, health, employment history or financed amount of the vehicle. The program is complimentary for the first 12 months of the financing or lease date for vehicles financed through Hyundai Motor Finance Company and other third-party lenders and financing sources.

For more details about the Hyundai Assurance Program, please visit www.HyundaiUSA.com or www.HyundaiAssurance.com.

About WALKAWAY USA, LLC

WALKAWAY USA, LLC (www.walkawayusa.com) is a division of EFG Companies (www.efgcompanies.com), an industry leader in providing innovative performance management solutions and technologies to the retail auto industry. WALKAWAY USA markets and administers WALKAWAY® Protection for Automotive Financing. WALKAWAY is the First and Only Vehicle Return Program™ that protects consumers from financial shortfalls arising from the depreciation of new and used vehicles (negative equity).

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 790 dealerships nationwide.

Source: Hyundai

Photo Credit: universalsearch

Detroit Auto Show is just a few sleeps away. And earlier today, the list of finalists for the 2009 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards was released. Included in the list are two vehicles from Ford Motor Company – the 2009 Ford F-150 and the Ford Flex. The Hyundai Genesis is also included, marking the history of Korean automobiles as the first ever Korean vehicle to make it to the finals. So I guess Hyundai and FoMoCo are celebrating this time.

Contenders of the Hyundai Genesis for the Car of the Year award include the Ford Flex, Mazda 6, and Volkswagen Jetta TDI. The Truck of the Year, on the other hand, is expected to be a battle between the 2009 Ford F-150, Mercedes ML320 BlueTEC, and the Dodge Ram.

To qualify for these very prestigious awards, vehicles must be “all-new” or “substantially changed” from the previous model. For this year, the jury, which is composed of 50 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada, considered more than 50 vehicles but only 14 cars and 11 trucks made it to the semi-final round of voting.

Info Credit: North American Car of the Year
Image Credit: thetorquereport, myride