Electric cars named as North American Car of the Year finalists

(General Motors)

Two electric cars have been nominated among the three finalists for the North American Car of the Year Award.

Both the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf were named as finalists for the award December 16, along with the Hyundai Sonata.

The winner of the prestigious prize will be unveiled on January 10 in Detroit at the opening of the North American International Auto Show and is chosen by a panel of 49 automotive journalists from the US and Canada.

The inclusion of the Volt and the Leaf, which have been delivered to their first buyers in the past week, is a watershed moment for the rapidly-greening North American car industry and also reflects developments across the Atlantic - in late November, the Nissan Leaf was named the European Car of the Year.

Even the Hyundai Sonata can boast green credentials, as it is available as a hybrid version as well as the standard sedan and sporty alternative.

A victory by the Sonata would give the award its fifth hybrid winner and mark the second hybrid victory in a row, as last year's winner was the Ford Fusion Hybrid.

The ceremony also sees the awarding of the North American Truck of the Year prize, which will go to the Dodge Durango, the Ford Explorer or the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

http://www.northamericancaroftheyear.org