The Ford Motor Company, the only one of the Detroit automakers not to have declared bankruptcy in 2009, made a clean sweep of the 2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. The Ford Fusion Hybrid was named the 2010 North American Car of the Year, while the Ford Transit Connect was named the 2010 North American Truck of the Year as the 2010 Detroit Auto Show kicked off media preview days.

Organizers of the award noted that it was only the third time in 17 years that one automaker has swept the awards. Honda took home both prizes in 2006, and General Motors won both in 2007.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid beat out the Volkswagen Golf/TDI/GTI and the Buick LaCrosse in the final round of voting. The Ford Transit Connect beat out the Chevrolet Equinox and the Subaru Outback.

The Hyundai Genesis was named 2009 North American Car of the Year, while the Ford F-150 was named the North American Truck of the Year.

The Fusion Hybrid defeated a long list of contenders for the 2010 prize, including the Chevrolet Camaro, the Honda Insight, the Kia Soul and the Porsche Panamera. The Ford Transit Connect powered past such contenders as the Acura ZDX, Cadillac SRX, Honda Accord Crosstour and Lincoln MKT as jurors whittled down the list during the fall.

To be eligible, vehicles must be "all new" or "substantially changed" from the previous model. This year, the jury considered more than 50 vehicles.

"The Ford Fusion Hybrid proves that a hybrid sedan can be affordable and desirable and it doesn't have to be quirky to be cool," said Scott Oldham, editor in chief of Inside Line and Car of the Year juror. Other jurors lauded the Transit Connect for its hauling capability at a reasonable price.

The jury pool consists of North American auto journalists and is a coveted prize among automakers.