DETROIT -

The group of 14 models vying for 2011 North American Car of the Year honors was revealed Friday, and leading the pack were General Motors and Nissan, each of which were represented by three contenders on the car list.

There were 27 new cars that were eligible for the honors and jurors trimmed that down to a “short list” of 14 semifinalists that they believed “deserved additional consideration,” officials noted.

The ballot in December will include these 14 models.

On the truck side, there were only 14 models eligible for the North American Truck of Year award, so jurors did not vote, as “it did not seem necessary to narrow the field from that original list,” officials explained. All 14 trucks are on the short list.

Ford led the way on the truck side, as three of its models made the list.

The car and truck lists will be whittled down to three car finalists and three truck finalists. These will be revealed Dec. 16 in Detroit during an Automotive Press Association luncheon.

Then, during January’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the car and truck of the year winners will be unveiled.

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

The awards are voted on by auto journalists in the U.S. and Canada who work in various media, including magazines, TV, radio, newspapers and online.

The complete lists of contenders are as follows:

2011 North American Car of the Year Short List
Audi A8
Buick Regal
Chevrolet Cruze
Chevrolet Volt
Ford Fiesta
Hyundai Sonata/2.0T/Hybrid
Infiniti M37/56
Jaguar XJ
Kia Optima
Mazda Mazda2
Nissan Juke
Nissan Leaf
Volkswagen Jetta
Volvo S60

North American Truck of the Year Short List
Dodge Durango
Ford Edge
Ford Explorer
Honda Odyssey
Hyundai Tucson
Infiniti QX56
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Kia Sorento
Kia Sportage
Lincoln MKX
Mercedes-Benz R-Class
Porsche Cayenne
Toyota Sienna
Volkswagen Touareg