Car and truck of the Year 2011: Chevrolet Volt e Ford Explorer

DETROIT -- The Chevrolet Volt sedan and Ford Explorer crossover were named 2011 car and truck of the year today by a panel of automotive journalists.

The Volt, Nissan Leaf and Hyundai Sonata were finalists for 2011 North American Car of the Year, while the Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Dodge Durango were Truck of the Year finalists.

The awards are judged by 49 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada -- representing magazines, newspapers, Web sites, television and radio.

The criteria used to judge the winners include innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.

The Volt is an electric car with an internal combustion engine that generates electricity after the battery is nearly depleted, and the Leaf is an all-electric car. Both models went on sale in December. The Sonata is also available with a hybrid powertrain.

The new Explorer is a crossover based on a car platform, and the Grand Cherokee and Durango are SUVs.

The 2011 car semi-finalists were the Audi A8, Buick Regal, Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Volt, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Sonata 2.0 T Hybrid, Infiniti M37/56, Jaguar XJ, Kia Optima, Mazda Mazda2, Nissan Juke, Nissan Leaf, Volkswagen Jetta and Volvo S60.

The truck semi-finalists for 2011 were the Dodge Durango, Ford Edge, Ford Explorer, Honda Odyssey, Hyundai Tucson, Infiniti QX56, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Kia Sorento, Kia Sportage, Lincoln MKX, Mercedes-Benz R class, Porsche Cayenne, Toyota Sienna and Volkswagen Touareg.

The Ford Fusion took North American Car of the Year honors in 2010, while the Ford Transit Connect van was named Truck of the Year last year.

It was only the third time in 17 years that one automaker won both awards. Honda Motor Co. won two honors in 2006, and General Motors Co. claimed both honors in 2007.

American automakers have won the car honor 10 times. European automakers have been selected four times, and Japanese automakers have won three times. A Korean car has been selected once.

Domestic automakers have dominated the North American Truck of the Year award with 12 wins. Japanese automakers have been selected four times, and European automakers have won twice.

The jurors include Edward Lapham, executive editor of Automotive News.

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