Chevrolet Bolt Named Top Car Of The Year At 2017 Detroit Auto Show
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - The North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year revealed as the North American International Auto Show's press preview days kick into high gear.
The announcements made Monday morning at Detroit's Cobo Center.
The Chevrolet Bolt announced as the Car of the Year, the Honda Ridgeline named Truck of the Year, while getting the nod in a brand new category for Utility is the Chrysler Pacifica.
Kathy Beslic, marketing manager for Chevrolet Electric Vehicles, says with over 230 miles on one charge, the car does well in range and price.
"It's a true testament to bring a vehicle -- to hit range and price -- on an all-electric vehicle so 238 miles of range on a full charge, at a very affordable price ... very excited to bring it to market."
Beslic says they're breaking down barriers of what it means to drive an electric vehicle:
"Vehicle charging there are multiple ways; most people either charge at home or at work. But there are ways that you can charge a vehicle publicly, using the typical apps," says Beslic. "We do have our own app 'My Chevrolet,' an app where you can actually locate any charging station throughout the United States. Simply go plug-in your vehicle and off you go."
Beslic says they also now have an optional feature - to potentially charge the vehicle up to 90 miles in 30 minutes.
This year's car finalists: Chevrolet Bolt, Genesis G90 and Volvo S90. Truck finalists were the Ford F-series Super Duty, Honda Ridgeline and Nissan Titan.
Utility finalists: Chrysler Pacifica, Jaguar F-Pace and Mazda CX-9. It's the first year people-haulers get their own category.
Last year's winners were the Honda Civic and Volvo XC90.
About 60 automotive journalists serve as judges. Eligible vehicles must be new or substantially changed.
Organizers accept no advertising, though automakers try to capitalize on the marketing value of the awards, in their 24th year.
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