Reid Bigland, head of the Ram brand, walks next to the Ram 1500 pickup truck, after it was awarded the 2019 North American Truck of the Year at the North American International Auto Show, Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, in Detroit, Mich. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)DETROIT – Hyundai scored two out of three wins on Monday in the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year awards, as the Detroit auto show’s press previews officially got underway.
The Hyundai Genesis G70 and Hyundai Kona took the car and utility awards, respectively, surprising officials with the South Korean automaker. The Genesis competed against the Honda Insight and Volvo S60/V60, and the Kona bested the Acura RDX and Jaguar I-Pace.
“After the Genesis was awarded, I didn’t expect (it) for the Kona award,” William Lee, president and CEO of Hyundai North America, told reporters afterward, adding he expects the honors to provide “greater momentum” for the company.
Truck honors went to the Ram 1500, which beat out two General Motors trucks – the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra – to win in a highly competitive and lucrative market for U.S. automakers. Reid Bigland, CEO of the Ram brand, said the judges appreciated the reworked 1500 pickup, including its electric assist system for better gas mileage, a 12-inch infotainment touch screen and “the bold look of our exterior, the refinements on the interior, the ride, the handling.”
Yong-woo William Lee, left, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America and Brian Smith, Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor America hold the North American SUV of the Year trophy for the Hyundai Kona during media previews for the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)Fiat Chrysler has placed heavy discounts on the new truck early in its life, but Bigland said it’s a good strategy to boost sales and profits.