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LaCrosse and Equinox Named Finalists for North American Car and Truck of the Year

2009-12-16

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The Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Equinox are among the finalists for the 17th North American Car and Truck of the Year awards that will be announced at the North American International Auto Show on Jan. 11.

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. This year the jury of 49 veteran automotive journalists considered more than 50 vehicles and finally focused on 16 cars and 10 trucks.

The awards are unique because -- instead of being given by a single media outlet -- they are given by automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who represent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and web sites.

General Motors has won North American Car of the Year three times. Most recently, the Chevrolet Malibu was the 2008 North American Car of the Year and the Saturn Aura was the 2007 North American Car of the Year. Chevrolet's vehicles have been named the North American Truck of the Year three times. Most recently the Silverado was the 2007 North American Truck of the Year.

The other finalists for 2009 Car of the Year are the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Volkswagen Golf/GTI. The other Truck of the Year finalists are the Ford Transit Connect and Subaru Outback.