The Internet Car and Truck of the Year Awards (www.internetcarandtruckoftheyear.com) have become an official part of The Chicago Auto Show (www.ChicagoAutoShow.com), announced show organizers and Keith Griffin, founder of the new juried and consumer competition, which will make its inaugural presentation during Chicago Auto Show media days Feb. 10-11, 2010.
The Internet Car and Truck of the Year is “Where Internet Pros and Average Joes Pick the Car and Truck of the Year.” A jury of 12 automotive writers is simultaneously selecting its top car and truck (including SUVs, pickups and crossovers) at the same time consumers are voting on their top picks in the same categories.
“It’s the first time Internet-savvy consumers will have the opportunity to select their Car and Truck of the Year in one place at a website not dominated by manufacturer advertising. It’s only logical that we associate with the Chicago Auto Show, because it is the nation’s largest consumer auto show,” said Griffin.
Awards will be presented for Internet Car of the Year, Internet Truck of the Year, Consumer Internet Car of the Year, and Consumer Internet Truck of the Year. Winners of the Internet Automotive Journalism Contest will also be announced at the show.
In recognition of the affiliation with the Chicago Auto Show, voting for the consumer awards has been extended to Friday, Dec. 11 at 5 p.m. CST. Consumers can go to www.internetcarandtruckofheyear.com to cast their votes.

The finalists for the Internet Car of the Year and Internet Truck of the Year finalists, as determined by a panel of Internet automotive writers, have also been determined.
The Internet automotive writers, a jury of 12 from some of the leading automotive web sites, have selected as their finalists for the first-ever Internet Car and Truck of the Year awards:

Car
Ford Fusion Hybrid
Mazda Mazda3
Shelby GT 500
Truck
Ford Raptor
Chevy Equinox
Volvo XC60
Consumers, voting for the first time on the Internet at a website not dominated by OEM manufacturing, have voted for power:

Car
Ford Taurus SHO
Chevrolet Camaro SS
Shelby GT 500
Truck
Ford Raptor
Chevy Equinox
Audi Q7 TDI