Detroit, 12 January 2009: Hyundai Motor Co took the prestigious "Car-of-the-year award" at the Detroit auto show on Sunday, marking a major step for the South Korean automaker in its push to produce a more upscale, mass-market vehicle for U.S consumers.

The Hyundai Genesis was named the 2009 North American Car of the Year, while Ford Motor’s F-150 was named truck of the year.

The awards, which automakers typically use to market their vehicles, were made by a panel of 50 U.S and Canadian automotive journalists and presented at the start of the North American International Auto Show.

“This is not only a nod to our team, but also a nod to our customers, who keep pushing us,” said Mark Fields, who heads Ford’s operations in the Americas.

Courtesy: Reuters