Hyundai Elantra wins car of year

[January 09, 2012]  DETROIT (AP) -- The Hyundai Elantra has won the North American Car of the Year award.

The award was announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which holds media previews this week and opens to the public on Jan. 14.

The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque won the North American Truck of the Year.

Fifty automotive journalists voted on the winning vehicles from a group of finalists. Car finalists included the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and Volkswagen Passat. Truck finalists were the BMW X3, Honda CR-V and the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque.

A vehicle must be all new or substantially changed to be eligible.

This is the 19th year for the awards. Organizers accept no advertising, though automakers capitalize on the marketing value of the honors.

[Associated Press; By JEFF KAROUB and TOM KRISHER]

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