Cadillac ATS, RAM 1500 Win Car and Truck of the Year Awards
The North American International Auto Show in Detroit feels like a hometown press show, and some in the automotive press are calling this year##Q##s North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards a win for Detroit.
The 2013 Cadillac ATS was named North American Car of the Year and the Ram 1500 was named North American Truck of the Year. The ATS was up against the Honda Accord and Ford Fusion, while the 1500 was competing with the Ford C-Max and Mazda CX-5.
“The double win was seen as a comeback victory of sorts for the ‘home team’ to some extent, as Chrysler and General Motors, both based in the Detroit area, suffered through bankruptcies and reorganizations in which the companies have been reborn,” writes The New York Times.
Forty-nine automotive journalists select the award winners. “The jurors chose the Ram as the truck/utility champ after its extensive update for 2013 that went well beyond a mere refresh of the truck,” writes USA Today. “It gained new convenience and work truck features, a new powertrain offering featuring the Pentastar V-6 and the first 8-speed automatic transmission in a full-size pickup, and weight-cutting and aerodynamic changes that increased mileage ratings.”
Fobes says, “Cadillac, owned by General Motors, has always been a brides maid at this event never taking home the top prize. But it has been a finalist several times. The luxury marque was a finalist for the top Car award in 2008 with its CTS, but took a back seat to the Chevrolet Malibu.” The ATS is all-new for model-year 2013, and is the smallest model in the Cadillac line.
Source: rankingsandreviews.com
