By AP
Detroit, MI – The press preview days of the North American International Auto Show kick off with the event's version of the Oscars: the naming of the North American Car of the Year and North American Truck of the Year.
The announcements are to be made today at Cobo Center in Detroit.
Car finalists are the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and Volkswagen Passat. Truck finalists are the BMW X3, Honda CR-V and the Land Rover Ranger Rover Evoque.
Fifty automotive journalists vote on the winning vehicles from a previously selected list of finalists. 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.