General Motors Sweeps 2014 North American Car/Truck of the Year

DETROIT--Jan. 13, 2014: The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and Silverado were named the 2014 North American Car and Truck of the Year Monday morning at a news conference at the North American International Auto Show.

The winners were chosen by a jury of 49 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada.

The awards – now in their 21st year - are unique in the United States because instead of being given by a single media outlet they are awarded by a group of automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who represent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and web sites.

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

The jurors gave the Stingray 211 points; the Mazda3 got 185 and the Cadillac CTS 94.

It was the sixth car win for General Motors. The Corvette also won in 1998.

The jurors gave the Silverado 219 points; the Jeep Cherokee 174 and the Acura MDX 97.

It was the fourth truck win for General Motors. The Silverado also won in 2007.

Domestic automakers have won North American Car of the Year 12 times. Japanese automakers have won three times. European automakers have won four times. A Korean automaker (Hyundai) has won twice.

Domestic automakers have won North American Truck of the Year 14 times. Japanese automakers have won four times. European automakers have won three times.

To be eligible a vehicle must be all new or substantially changed. The jurors considered dozens of new vehicles before sending their ballots to Michelle Collins, a partner at Deloitte & Touche early in December.

On December 10th the three car and truck finalists were announced. But only Ms. Collins knew the winners until she handed over envelopes today to Tony Swan, a freelance journalist and member of the organizing committee, who made the announcements.

The votes of each juror will be posted by January 20th on the awards web site, North American Car of the Year

The awards were inspired by the "Car of the Year" in Europe.

They are administered by an organizing committee and are funded with dues paid by the jurors. There are no paid positions. Automakers do not pay to have their vehicles considered or to mention the awards in ads.

The "2013 North American Car of the Year" was the Cadillac ATS.

Last year's "2013 North American Truck of the Year" was the Ram 1500 pickup.