{"id":27995,"date":"2021-09-23T12:59:35","date_gmt":"2021-09-23T16:59:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=27995"},"modified":"2021-09-23T12:59:35","modified_gmt":"2021-09-23T16:59:35","slug":"motor-bella-car-truck-and-utility-vehicle-of-the-year-semifinalists-announced","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2021\/09\/motor-bella-car-truck-and-utility-vehicle-of-the-year-semifinalists-announced","title":{"rendered":"Motor Bella: Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year semifinalists announced"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pontiac \u2014\u00a0<\/em>A sprawling buffet of 23 new vehicles will compete for the 2022 North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year.<\/p>\n

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NACTOY opened the Motor Bella auto show Tuesday with its semi-finalist list. The list boasts everything from snarling trucks to whip-quick sedans to electric vehicles. Jurors whittled an initial list of 36 eligible cars, trucks and utility vehicles to choose the semifinalists.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year\u2019s group of semifinalists includes some of the most interesting and innovative cars, trucks and utility vehicle candidates in recent memory, and a larger number of new trucks than we\u2019ve seen in many years,\u201d said NACTOY President Gary Witzenburg, \u00a0\u201cAnd it features more electric vehicles than we\u2019ve ever seen.\u201d<\/p>\n

The semifinalists track trends in the industry as consumers have switched from cars to SUVs and embraced the off-road lifestyle. Following the success of Tesla, manufacturers are also flooding the market with new, performance-oriented EVs.<\/p>\n

EV nominees are most prevalent in the truck category where a variety of manufacturers see an opportunity to use electric motors\u2019 torque for hauling and speed. Startup Rivian R1T and the GMC Hummer made the semis with expensive Vs boasting impressive acceleration numbers. But the votes here are likely to come from more mainstream brands like Toyota (its substantially reworked Tundra) and Ford (its first unibody small pickup Maverick). The Hyundai Santa Cruz will also turn heads with its innovative, SUV-based platform.<\/p>\n

SUVs are America\u2019s choice of daily rider and nine will vie for the 2022 title. SUVs now take 70% of the market versus 30% for cars.<\/p>\n

The Ford Bronco is the favorite here with its long-awaited Wrangler fighter. Jeep icons Grand Cherokee \u2014\u00a0now with its first three-row model, the L \u2014\u00a0and Grand Wagoneer will be strong contenders as well. Hyundai waves the flag with three strong entries \u2014\u00a0the Ioniq EV, Tucson, and luxury Genesis GV70.<\/p>\n