Ford takes double award at Detroit Auto Show 2010

US automaker Ford has swept the annual awards ceremony held at the North American International Auto Show January 11.

The North American Car of the Year Award was presented to Ford for the 2010 Focus Hybrid, the fourth time that a hybrid vehicle has taken the award. It beat finalists Buick LaCrosse and Volkswagen Golf/GTI to take the prize, which last year went to the Hyundai Genesis.

In a surprise double win, the Ford also took the North American Truck of the Year award with the Transit Connect. It is the second year in a row that Ford has won the award, after the Ford F-150 won last year. The Chevrolet Equinox and Subaru Outback were finalists.

One manufacturer has taken both awards in only three instances during the ceremony's 17-year history. The awards winners are decided by a panel of 50 automotive journalists in Canada and the United States.