2010 North American Car of the Year nominees announced

Here in the car journalism biz, this is that time of year when everyone is evaluating all the recently introduced cars to determine which ones truly stand out. Here in town, the crew from Car and Driver are doing their 10 Best testing this week. Elsewhere other magazines are doing their own evaluations.

The organizers of the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards have just released the short list of vehicles that they have deemed worthy of consideration for this year's awards. The winning vehicles will be announced in January at the North American International Auto Show. For now, the jury has to evaluate a list of 15 cars that includes the new MK VI Volkswagen Golf, Ford's Fusion and Taurus, and a dozen others. The list includes three cars with hybrid powertrains, two that offer diesels and everything from the Kia Soul to the Porsche Panamera.

On the truck side –which also includes crossovers and tall wagons like the new Honda Accord Crosstour, Acura ZDX and Subaru Outback – there are only 10 nominees. Check out the nominees in our galleries below – who will pick up the mantle after 2009's Ford F-150 and Hyundai Genesis?

Gallery: 2010 North American Car of the Year short list

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Gallery: 2010 North American Truck of the Year nominees

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