2008 NORTH AMERICAN CAR/TRUCK OF THE YEAR WINNERS
 
Detroit – January 13, 2008 – The Chevrolet Malibu is the 2008 North
American Car of the Year, and the Mazda CX-9 is the 2008 North American
Truck of the Year.

The winners were announced today at a news conference at the North
American International Auto Show in Detroit’s Cobo Center. However, the
auto show does not give the awards.

The awards are unique because, instead of being given by a single media
outlet, the winners this year were chosen by 45 automotive journalists who
represent newspapers, magazines, television, radio and web sites in Canada
and the United States.

The awards are designed to recognize the most outstanding new vehicles of
the year based on factors including innovation, design, safety, handling,
driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.

Although dozens of new 2008 vehicles were eligible, the jurors whittled the
field down to 15 cars and 13 trucks on which they voted in December.

The jurors sent their ballots to Ms. Collins. The three car and three truck
finalists were revealed in December.

However, Ms. Collins kept the winners secret until today when she also
provided this news release. The number of points each vehicle received,
according to Deloitte’s tally, are as follows:

The Cadillac CTS got 165 votes
The Chevrolet Malibu got 190 votes
The Honda Accord got 95 votes

The Buick Enclave got 109 votes
The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid got 140 votes
The Mazda CX-9 got 201 votes

Last year the North American Car of the Year was the Saturn Aura while the
North American Truck of the Year was the Chevrolet Silverado.

Not including this year, domestic automakers have won North American Car
of the Year seven times. Japanese automakers have won three times.
European automakers have won four times.

Not including this year, domestic automakers have won North American
Truck of the Year nine times, Japanese automakers have won three times
(Honda and Acura took two of those) and European automakers have won
twice.

Previously, hybrid vehicles have won three times. The Toyota Prius was
named the 2004 North American Car of the Year; the Escape Hybrid was
named 2005 North American Truck of the Year and the Honda Civic Hybrid
was included when the Civic lineup that won the 2006 North American Car
of the Year.
 
  2008 NORTH AMERICAN CAR AND TRUCK OF THE YEAR
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
 
December 12, 2007 – General Motors has four of the six finalists for the North American Car of the Year and the North American Truck of the Year, it was announced today.

An international group of automotive journalists voted the Cadillac CTS, the Chevrolet Malibu and the Honda Accord finalists for the 2008 North American Car of the Year.

The Buick Enclave, the Mazda CX-9 and Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid are finalists for the 2008 North American Truck of the Year.

The awards are unique in the United States because - instead of being given by a single publication, radio or television station - they are given by 46 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada.

The jurors represent outlets such as the MSN Autos, the Toronto Star, Car and Driver magazine, AutoWeek, The Chicago Tribune, MotorWeek, USA Today, Autoline Detroit, Edmunds.com, Road & Track magazine, the San Jose Mercury News, Consumer Guide, the Boston Globe, Automotive News and Fortune.

The awards are designed to recognize the most outstanding vehicles of the year based on factors that include innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.

To be eligible, vehicles must be “all new” or “substantially changed” from the previous model.

Michelle Collins, Vice Chairman Automotive at Deloitte & Touche, was responsible for counting the ballots, which jurors sent directly to the accounting firm.

The finalists were announced today at a news conference during a luncheon held by the Detroit Economic Club and the North American International Auto Show.
Now the jurors begin a second round of voting. No later than January 2nd jurors must vote on the three car and three truck finalists.

As with the first round of voting those ballots go directly to Ms. Collins at Deloitte.

Ms. Collins will be the only person who knows the winners, which will be announced January 13th at the North American International Auto Show.

Although the winners are disclosed at a news conference at the North American International Auto Show the show does not give the awards.

Last year the North American Car of the Year was the Saturn Aura and the North American Truck of the Year was the Chevrolet Silverado.

While more than 50 new vehicles were eligible jurors finally voted on 15 cars and 13 trucks.

Here are the vehicles on which the jurors voted:


2008 North American Car of the Year nominees

Audi TT
Audi A5/S5
Cadillac CTS
Chevrolet Malibu
Chrysler Town & Country
Dodge Grand Caravan
Honda Accord
Infiniti G37
Infiniti EX35
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Nissan Altima Coupe
Scion xB
Smart ForTwo
Subaru Impreza/WRX
Volvo C30

2008 North American Truck of the Year nominees

Buick Enclave
Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
Hyundai Veracruz
Jeep Liberty
Jeep Patriot
Kia Rondo
Land Rover LR2
Mazda CX-9
Nissan Rogue
Saturn Vue
Toyota Highlander/Hybrid
Toyota Tundra
Volvo XC70