2008 Detroit Auto Show: 2008 North American Car/Truck of the Year Winners

SEE ALSO: Complete 2008 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

DETROIT, Jan. 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.

Information on previous winners and the jurors is available at: www.northamericancaroftheyear.org