Two Fords up for Detroit auto show awards

DETROIT, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- The Ford Flex and the F-150 pickup truck were among the finalists for the 2009 North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards announced Thursday in Detroit.

The Flex joined the Hyundai Genesis and Volkswagen Jetta in the auto field while the Dodge Ram and Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC rounded out the Truck of the Year field.

A jury of 50 auto journalists will select the winners, which will be announced Jan. 11 prior to the opening of the big North American International Auto Show in the Motor City.

Organizers of the show said in a written statement that the finalists were selected for their affordability and bang for the buck as well as for more specific achievements in engineering, design, fuel economy and performance.