GM, Ford Make N.A. Car, Truck Finals

The Honda Fit, Saturn Aura and Toyota Camry are the three finalists in this year’s North American Car of the Year award.

Finalists for the North American Truck of the Year award named today are the Chevrolet Silverado, Ford Edge and Mazda CX-7.

The nominees were chosen by a panel of 49 automotive journalists from the U.S. and Canada from 26 eligible nominees (11 cars and 15 trucks).

The two awards apply to vehicles that are all new or substantially changed from the previous model and are designed to recognize the most outstanding vehicles of the year, says the organizing committee in charge of the nomination process.

Factors taken into consideration for the selection include innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value, with the winners of the competition to be announced Jan. 7 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Honda Motor Co. Ltd. last year became the first auto maker in the history of the competition to win both categories, grabbing honors with its all-new Civic and Ridgeline pickup.