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2015 North American Car of the Year Award Goes to VW Golf and Golf GTI

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VW Golf and Golf GTI Named 2015 North American Car of the Year

Volkswagen Group of America CEO Michael Horn is the meat in a VW Golf and Golf GTI sandwich

Volkswagen came to Detroit to win awards and chew bubblegum, and it’s all out of bubblegum.

Actually, Volkswagen ostensibly came to Detroit just to debut its new Cross Coupe GTE concept, but the German automaker got a pleasant surprise this morning when the VW Golf and Golf GTI were named the 2015 North American Car of the Year.

“We didn’t expect this award,” said VW America’s CEO, Michael Horn, according to CBC News. “It’s confirmation of the way we’ve chosen to go forth. It’s a starting point to get back on track here in U.S.”

If Horn didn’t see this honor coming, maybe he hasn’t been paying attention: the Golf cleaned up during awards season, being named Car of the Year by Motor Trend (and, to a lesser extent, by Yahoo Autos). Still, it was something of an upset when Volkswagen beat out the 2015 Ford Mustang, which celebrated the model’s 50 anniversary last year. The Mustang and the Hyundai Genesis were the two finalists that the Golf and Golf GTI bested for the 2015 North American Car of the Year title.

CEO Michael Horn with the 2015 North American Car of the Year Award for the VW Golf and Golf GTI

CEO Michael Horn with the 2015 North American Car of the Year Award for the VW Golf and Golf GTI

“Volkswagen is thrilled to start 2015 with the Golf and Golf GTI taking home the incredible North American Car of the Year title,” Horn added. “This award highlights our achievements and hard work in the past year, and we are confident that the Golf family will continue to pave the way for the brand in the year ahead.”