Orange County Register

Fountain Valley-based Hyundai Motor America received a very warm welcome this weekend at the international auto show in Detroit, where its Genesis sedan was named the North American Car of the Year.

The car was selected for the prestigious award by a jury of 50 independent automotive journalists who evaluated every new car introduced last year.

The Volkswagen Jetta TDI and Ford Flex were the other finalists in the jurors’ pool.

“Genesis represents everything we’ve learned, so far, about engineering great automobiles – and we’re delighted that the judges have recognized the good work of our R&D teams,” John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America acting president and chief executive officer, said in a news release. “And we’re not stopping here…Genesis will share company in Hyundai showrooms this spring with its rear-wheel drive platform-mate, the Genesis Coupe.”

The Genesis Coupe, by the way, is already being touted as a Ford Mustang fighter. Now that’s going to be an interesting brawl.

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