Choosing the Truck of the Year

At this year’s 2015 Detroit auto show, the Ford F-150 won the title for Truck of the Year, despite the industry buzz of the Nissan Titan with Cummins engine option. It is interesting to note, though, how the award for Truck of the Year, and Car of the Year, is chosen at the North American International Auto Show. One would think that the bas performance, cost, and perhaps innovations, would be the benchmark by which finalists are chosen … and while that might be the case for individual judges—called jurors in this instance of choosing Truck of the Year ... it will never be truly known if those are the deciding factors, or if personal preferences sways votes.

Choosing Truck of the Year

A small group of automotive journalists from the U.S. and Canada chooses the Truck of the Year, and not by the organizers of the Detroit auto show.

“It’s nice they give us the first spot of the show,” Christopher Jensen, one of the jurors, remarked. “The auto show has no involvement as far as what we have done or how the awards are won.”

57 Jurors vote by distributing 25 points among the finalist vehicles. No more than 10 points may be awarded to a single vehicle. Then, the jurors vote on the three finalists for the categories.

A rotating seven-person committee, of which Jensen and another co-founder are permanent members, selects the 57 jurors.While 57 may sound sparse to decide which vehicle and truck should win the award, Jensen notes that the magazine Motor Trend relies on a smaller editorial board with fewer people.

“There are not that many automotive journalists in North America,” Jensen said. “We think 57 is a good sampling.”

The jury of 57 journalists turned in their cast ballots to auditing and consulting firm Deloitte and Touche. After casting their vote, the jury technically is unaware of the outcome, and only a partner at Deloitte Michelle Collins knew which vehicles would receive the award.

“In theory, everyone will be on the organizing committee,” he said.

No one is paid to be on the committee. In fact, the jurors pay $150 in annual dues to facilitate in testing the cars and trucks in October.

“No one has a salary or gets reimbursed for expenses. We buy a pair of trophies and put out press releases.”

History of the Award

Jensen was one of the major contributing people who started the organization in 1991. He points out that the group attempts to be as open as possible about how the annual award is decided.

The inspiration for the Detroit auto show’s Truck of the Year award originated with Europe's “Car of the Year” award. Jensen felt that the Detroit auto show needed a similar award, as well.

Since first debuting 22 years ago, receiving the award has become a major honor—and of course selling point—for the receiving manufacturer. Jensen also points out the group of jurors don't receive pay for the commercial use of the honor they've bestowed.