DETROIT - The Chevrolet Volt, Hyundai Sonata, and Nissan Leaf have been selected as the three finalists for the 2011 North American Car of the Year. The finalists for the 2011 North American Truck of the Year are the Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The finalists were selected by 49 automotive journalists and recently revealed at an Automotive Press Association luncheon in Detroit. The winners will be announced on Jan. 10, 2011 at an 8 a.m. news conference at the North American International Auto Show.

To be eligible a vehicle must be all new or "substantially changed."

Domestic automakers have won the North American Car of the Year nine times. European automakers have won four times, Japanese automakers have won three times, and a Korean automaker has won once, according to the award committee.

For the North American Truck of the Year, domestic automakers have won 11 times, Japanese automakers have won four times, and European automakers have won twice.

Last year, the 2010 North American Car of the Year was the Ford Fusion Hybrid and the North American Truck of the Year was the Ford Transit Connect.

Click here to see all the finalists for the 2011 North American Car & Truck of the Year.

Related story:

2011 North American Car & Truck of the Year Semi-Finalists Announced