2 top auto awards go to Hyundai, 1 to Ram 1500

DETROIT — Hyundai scored two out of three wins on Monday in the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year awards, as the Detroit auto show’s press previews officially got underway.

The Hyundai Genesis G70 and Hyundai Kona took the car and utility awards, respectively, surprising officials with the South Korean automaker. The Genesis competed against the Honda Insight and Volvo S60/V60, and the Kona bested the Acura RDX and Jaguar I-Pace.

“After the Genesis was awarded, I didn’t expect (it) for the Kona award,” William Lee, president and CEO of Hyundai North America, told reporters afterward, adding he expects the honours to provide “greater momentum” for the company.

Truck honours went to the Ram 1500, which beat out two General Motors trucks — the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra — to win in a highly competitive and lucrative market for U.S. automakers. Reid Bigland, CEO of the Ram brand, said the judges appreciated the reworked 1500 pickup, including its electric assist system for better gas mileage, a 12-inch infotainment touch screen and “the bold look of our exterior, the refinements on the interior, the ride, the handling.”

Fiat Chrysler has placed heavy discounts on the new truck early in its life, but Bigland said it’s a good strategy to boost sales and profits.

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“It’s always a case of it’s not how much you spend, it’s how much you make,” he said.

About 55 automotive journalists serve as judges, for the awards, announced annually at the North American International Auto Show. Eligible vehicles, chosen from dozens, must be new or substantially changed. The judges evaluate finalists on value, innovation, design, performance, safety, technology and driver satisfaction. The selection process started last June.

The Genesis luxury sedan won a decade ago and was a finalist in 2015.

It’s uncommon — but not unheard of — for an automaker or brand to nab more than one award in a given year in the contest, now in its 25th year.

Organizers accept no advertising, though automakers try to capitalize on the marketing value of the awards.

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Associated Press writer Tom Krisher contributed to this report.

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Follow Jeff Karoub on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeffkaroub

Jeff Karoub, The Associated Press