2011 Explorer Wins North American Truck of the Year

The Ford Explorer is the 2011 North American Truck of the Year. The winners were revealed at the North American International Auto Show. The winners were chosen by a jury of 49 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada. 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 who represent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and web sites.

It is the third year in a row that a Ford was named the North American Truck of the Year. Last year the winner was the Transit Connect. It is also the seventh time a Ford has been the “North American Truck of the Year,” a category it has dominated. The Explorer won with 253 points while the Jeep had 138 and the Durango 99. To be eligible a vehicle must be all new or “substantially changed.” The jurors considered dozens of new vehicles before sending their ballots to Michelle Collins, a partner at Deloitte & Touche early in December.