Cadillac ATS named the 2013 North American Car of the Year
General Motors Corporation’s Cadillac ATS is named 2013 North American Car of the Year at the Detroit North American International Auto Show on Monday, January 14, 2013. The award is not sponsored by the Auto Show but given at the show. The jury consists of a panel of 49 automotive journalists, editors, and broadcasters representing more than a dozen of media outlets. They indicated that Cadillac ATS was chosen because of its style and an innovative design that reduced weight allowing smaller engine and higher gas mileage. The Cadillac ATS beat two other finalists; the completely redesigned 2013 Honda Accord and Ford Fusion sedan, a compact remake for 2013. The three finalists were chosen from 11 cars selected by the panel and narrowed to three finalists in December 2012. The criteria required the car to be new or significantly redesigned. The ATS is a new compact entry level sedan designed to compete with BMW 3 Series among others. This win is the first for Cadillac and fifth win for the General Motors.
The award is unique for the Cadillac ATS built in Lansing, Michigan. The award is not sponsored by any for-profit organization. It is the 20th year for the award.