(December 16, 2011) DETROIT — Fifty automotive journalists have selected the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and Volkswagen Passat as the three finalists for the 2012 North American Car of the Year.

The finalists for the 2012 North American Truck of the Year are the BMW X3, the Honda CR-V and the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque.

The finalists were revealed Thursday at an Automotive Press Association luncheon in Detroit.

The awards are unique in the United States because — instead of being given by a single media outlet — they are awarded by a coalition of automotive journalists from the United States and Canada representing magazines, television, radio, newspapers and web sites. The awards are financed by the jurors' dues and NACTOY does not accept advertising from automakers.

To be eligible a vehicle must be all new or substantially changed. After considering dozens of vehicles this year the jurors finally voted on 17 cars and seven trucks.

This begins a second round of voting on the three car and three truck finalists. The winners will be announced Jan. at the Detroit Auto Show.

Last year the 2011 North American Car of the Year was the Chevrolet Volt and the 2011 North American Truck of the Year was the Ford Explorer.

This is the 19th year of the awards. During the past 18 years:

• Domestic automakers have won North American Car of the Year 10 times. European automakers have won four times, Japanese automakers have won three times. A Korean automaker — Hyundai — has won once.

• Domestic automakers have won North American Truck of the Year 12  times. Japanese automakers have won four times. European automakers have won twice.

The awards are administered by a six-person organizing committee. This year its members are Karl Brauer (Total Car Score); Marc Lachapelle (MSN Autos US, Le Guide de l'auto); Tony Swan (Car and Driver); Lindsay Brooke (Automotive Engineering International); Mark Phelan (The Detroit Free Press) and Christopher Jensen (Freelance).

Below are the vehicles on which the jurors voted.

North American Car of the Year

Audi A6
Audi A7                       
Buick Verano
Chevrolet Sonic
Chrysler 300/SRT-8
Fiat 500
Ford Focus
Hyundai Accent
Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai Veloster
Kia Rio/Rio 5
Scion iQ  
Subaru Impreza
Toyota Camry              
Toyota Prius V 
VW Beetle
VW Passat

North American Truck of the Year

BMW X3
Honda CR-V
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Mini Countryman
Nissan Quest
Saab 9-4X