Ford’s impressive track record of winning North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards in recent years continues to flourish. The streak began with the Ford Mustang Mach-E securing the 2021 North American Utility of the Year title, followed by the Ford Bronco claiming the 2022 North American Utility of the Year award. The Ford Maverick proudly took the 2022 North American Truck of the Year title, and the Ford F-150 Lightning made waves by clinching the 2023 North American Truck of the Year honors. This legacy of excellence is now upheld by the Ford Ranger, which has been nominated for the 2024 Truck of the Year award.Â
The Ford Ranger joins an exclusive group of 25 vehicles in contention for the prestigious NACTOY (North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year) award. This selection was narrowed down from an initial pool of 52 eligible models. In the truck category, the Ranger faces competition from the likes of the Chevy Colorado, the electric Chevy Silverado EV, the Super Duty, and the GMC Canyon, making for a compelling and closely watched competition.Â
The process of determining the ultimate winner involves 50 jurors meticulously evaluating each nominated vehicle from every conceivable angle. This assessment kicks off with an annual comparison drive in Michigan, followed by jurors completing individual and collective evaluations, ultimately casting their votes to select the top three finalists in each category. The final three contenders will be unveiled in Los Angeles on November 16th, creating anticipation and excitement in the automotive industry. The eventual winners will be revealed at a special event taking place in Detroit on January 4th, 2024.Â
Jeff Gilbert, the president of NACTOY, emphasized the significance of these awards, highlighting the invaluable input of the expert jurors who approach vehicle evaluation from diverse perspectives. He noted, “The value of these awards is in the expertise and diverse perspectives of our jurors. We all evaluate vehicles in a different way. In the end, we come to a consensus. The vehicles on this list are worthy of further evaluation, and we look forward to spending more time driving them, learning more about them, and comparing them with the competition.” With such rigorous scrutiny and anticipation surrounding the 2024 Truck of the Year award, it’s clear that the Ford Ranger is poised to make a compelling case for this coveted honor.Â
