Ford F-150, VW Golf winners at auto show

DETROIT – Ford’s big move to aluminum for the body of its flagship F-150 truck has helped it garner some additional material: the hardware that comes with the North American Truck of the Year Award.

Ford took the top truck honor Monday alongside the Volkswagen Golf, which was named car of the year. The winners, voted on by about 60 automotive journalists, were unveiled at the start of press previews for North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

“Clearly the materials have a lot to do with the story of the truck,” Ford President of the Americas Joe Hinrichs said, though he added he’s “most proud” of what the material does for the vehicle’s capabilities.

The aluminum body allowed Ford to reduce the truck’s weight by 700 pounds compared with last year’s model. That gave it greater hauling and towing capacity and better fuel economy. The lighter weight also makes the truck accelerate faster, stop quicker and handle better, he said.

The F-150 beat out Ford’s Lincoln MKC and Chevrolet Colorado for truck honors.

Volkswagen officials were pleasantly surprised by the win over the Ford Mustang and Hyundai Genesis.

“We didn’t expect this award,” said Michael Horn, VW’s CEO in America, while praising competitors. “It’s confirmation of the way we’ve chosen to go forth. It’s a starting point to get back on track here in U.S.”