DETROIT: After a few years of Detroit domination, two foreign automakers nabbed 2016 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year honours.
A panel of about 55 independent automotive journalists selected the Honda Civic and Volvo XC90 on Monday. The winners were unveiled at the start of press previews for the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Civic bested the Chevrolet Malibu and the Mazda MX-5 Miata, and the XC90 edged out the Nissan Titan XD and Honda Pilot. Chevy was a particularly strong contender, with two additional cars on the pre-finalist short list of 10.
It was the first time in the 23-year history of the awards programme that a brand had three representatives on the short list, and General Motors Co CEO Mary Barra was standing close by in case the big honour came her company's way.
Instead the Civic became a two-time winner.
"What a great competitive set to be in with Malibu and Miata. All great cars,'' said John Mendel, executive vice president of Honda's US operations.
The Civic also garnered the award in 2006.
"Still the victory lap will be brief, as the award is added pressure to the development team already working on the next-generation Civic,'' Mendel pointed out.
Volvo's award should help the automaker as it tries to re-establish itself in the US market after being sold in 2010 by Ford Motor Co to Chinese investors.
"The company intends to use the award in its marketing, especially as it rolls out other new models,'' said Lex Kerssemakers, president and CEO for the Americas.
"It's a very well-known award, and I think people look at it,'' he said. "Customers need references. It's a very competitive environment outside.''
"The award for the XC 90 validates Volvo's newly designed architectures and environmental engines and transmissions,'' Kerssemakers said. "As we are using in the future the same platforms, the same drivetrains for all the other cars to follow, this shows that were absolutely on the right track.''
The Detroit automakers came away with double-barreled wins in 2013 and 2014, and took top truck honours last year with the Ford F-150. The last year both awards went to foreign manufacturers was 2012, when the Hyundai Elantra and Land Rover Evoque won.
A vehicle must be all new or substantially changed for eligibility.
The awards programme launched in 1993, and patterned itself after the European Car of the Year. Organisers accept no advertising, though carmakers try to capitalise on the marketing value of the honours.