Hyundai Motor Group to be named NACTOY 2024

Hyundai Motor Group confirmed its victory in the utility vehicle category of "North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle (NACTOY) of the Year 2024".

Hyundai Motor Group announced on Wednesday that the Hyundai Motor Co. 's Kona (including electric vehicle), Kia Corp. 's EV9, and Genesis Electrified GV70, rose to the finalists in the 2024 North American Car of the Year utility vehicle category.

As only one model will be selected from the three finalists, Hyundai Motor Group's win was confirmed early.

This marks the first instance of foreign automotive groups, excluding the US, occupying all three finalist positions in the North American Car of the Year.

Originally, Volvo EX30 also entered the finalist alongside EV9 and GV70. However, Volvo EX30 will not reach customers until 2024, it is ineligible for this year’s award. The NACTOY Board has voted to replace it with the Hyundai Kona and its EV model.

Including the NACTOY 2023 for EV6, Hyundai Motor Group has achieved a record of five wins in the past six years. This victory is the eighth for Hyundai Motor Group in the history of the North American Car of the Year awards.

The models selected in previous years include the Hyundai Genesis Sedan (BH) in 2009, Hyundai Elantra in 2012, Genesis G70 in 2019, Hyundai Kona in 2020, Kia Telluride in 2020,  and Hyundai Elantra in 2021.

NACTOY is well-known as the Oscar of the automotive industry, attaining the highest global authority. The NACTOY Board was established in 1994 and annually selects the best car among those released in the respective year.

Having traditionally awarded the best cars in two categories – sedan and truck – since 2017, the addition of the sports utility vehicle (SUV) category reflects the industry trend.

The awards ceremony for the NACYOY 2024 is scheduled to take place on Jan. 4 at M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan, the US.

Write to Sungsu Bae at baebae@hankyung.com