To think we’re in the third quarter of the year already. It feels like only yesterday that we were celebrating the amazing debut if the 2020 Kia Soul and the 2020 Kia Soul EV at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. Now, only a few months away (August 2019), the 2019 LA Auto Show in November is already causing excitement in the automotive industry. Ever hear of the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year awards? Treated as the most prestigious and unique awards in the industry, the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) only reviews the best the industry has to offer. A list of only 46 models eligible for the 2020 awards was named, made up of 19 cars, 22 utilities and five trucks from 23 different automotive brands. Kia has been named in two of those categories, with the 2020 Kia Soul eligible for the “Car of the Year” award and the 2020 Kia Telluride eligible for the “Utility of the Year” award.
What Do You Mean “Eligible”?
Yes, that term has popped up more than once, and there is a reason we saw the 2020 Kia Soul and 2020 Kia Telluride are eligible for their respective awards. When it comes to the NACTOY awards, car models ranging from those with mass market appeal to niche groups such as luxury vehicles and work trucks. To be considered for the list each year, a vehicle must be an all-new model, or still early in its production run, as well as being available at dealerships before the end of the year (2019). Past that, to be considered for the final round, models have to get past a panel of 50 jurors.