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Montgomery-built Hyundai Elantra named 2021 North American Car of the Year

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra on Monday was named winner of the annual North American Car of the Year award by the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) automotive media jury.

Built in Montgomery, this is the second time the Hyundai sedan has won car of the year (2012). The winner was announced during a virtual event.

“North America’s car of the year is once again made in Montgomery, and this achievement is indicative of the skill, precision and devotion of the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama team. We congratulate the entire Hyundai family, its global leadership and President Jin, locally,” Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed said in a statement.

Now in their 28th year, the prestigious NACTOY awards are selected through a series of three separate votes by a diverse jury of automotive journalists from numerous outlets in the United States and Canada. Jurors evaluate the finalists based on segment leadership, innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. Founded in 1994, these awards are the longest-running new-vehicle awards not associated with a single publication, website, radio or television station. Because of the jurors’ independence, these awards are among the most respected in the industry.

“Thank you to all of the jurors. I am honored to accept this award on behalf of the entire company, our Alabama and Ulsan plant employees who build Elantra and our dealers,” stated José Muñoz, global COO of Hyundai Motor Company and president and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America and Hyundai Motor America. “Elantra is a symbol of our blend of dynamic design, advanced technology and great fuel economy. Elantra customers are going to experience all of the hard work and dedication that went into making this class-leading car.”

RELATED: Hyundai to produce 2022 Tucson in Montgomery, shifting production of top-seller from South Korea

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn

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