DETROIT -

While two domestic models and a foreign unit already have been tapped for Urban Vehicle of the Year awards, only the finalists for Dealer of the Year honors have been announced so far for the 15th annual Urban Wheel Awards.

The trio of franchise dealers up for Dealer of the Year recognition includes Jessie Armstead, of Hamilton Honda in Hamilton, N.J.; Jay Rivchin, of Dadeland Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram in Miami; and Fernando Varela, of AllStar Ford in Palestine, Texas.

Armstead, Rivchin and Varela will find out who takes the honor during the Urban Wheel Awards, which is set for Jan. 9 at the Sound Board inside the MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit. The event coincides with the North American International Auto Show.

The Emerging Diversity Education Fund and Decisive Media which operate the Urban Wheel Awards went ahead Tuesday and named the vehicles that took top honors.

The nod for Urban Car of the Year went to the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. Officials described the vehicle as “handsome styling, an attractive interior, competent powertrains, an enjoyable driving experience, exceptional practicality and ready affordability.”

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee was picked as Urban Truck of the Year. Officials said the vehicle won because of its “incorporating 21st century realities into America’s most iconic SUV.”

The other honor for Urban Green Vehicle of the Year was handed over to the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Officials explained the Jetta TDI beat out competitors because of its “spacious trunk and interior, the crisp, new, unmistakably European styling, and the reduction in pricing without significantly de-contenting the compact sedan.”

EDEF and Decisive Media explained the editors at Decisive Auto along with a panel of 15 independent automotive journalists, selected this year’s winning vehicles for being the most stylish, practical and attainable. 

“Over the past 15 years, our editors and judges have cast their votes annually for the best urban automotives to create a powerful platform recognizing vehicles that meet the needs of the multicultural consumer market,” noted Randi Payton, president and chief executive officer of Decisive Media.

“This year, in particular, we are also pleased to be able to recognize the efforts of a green-focused automobile, the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, which is environmentally sound and fuel efficient,” Payton went on to say. “It is also our pleasure to pay tribute to the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which have both been rated as the best vehicles for 2011.”

Beyond the dealer and vehicle honors, the event includes several other recognitions, including:

—Supplier of the Year: The nominees are Gonzales Design, Piston Automotive and SET Enterprises.  

—Executive of the Year: The winner is Ford vice president of global purchasing Tony Brown.

—Pioneer of the Year: The winner is NASCAR trailblazer Max Siegel.

—Lifetime Achievement: The winners are Rodney O’Neal, president and CEO of Delphi; Andra Rush, president of Dakkota Integrated System; and Frank Venegas, chairman and CEO of The Ideal Group.

—Company of the Year: The nominees are Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Honda Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp.

Officials are expecting an array of nearly 1,500 celebrities, automotive executives, ethnic organizations, students, national and international media, government representatives, and the multicultural community to attend the 15th annual Urban Wheel Awards.

The event kicks off with its first-ever Green Car and Technology Exhibit from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with invited speakers Detroit mayor Dave Bing and NAIAS vice chairman Bill Perkins. The exhibit — which is free and open to the public — is set to showcase a collection of efficient and alternatively fueled vehicles, including displays of some of the latest electric and hybrid vehicles. 

In addition beginning at 5 p.m., organizers said the VIP Green Carpet and reception will be held followed by the award ceremony beginning at 7 p.m. They mentioned the awards show concludes with the General Motors and OnStar AfterGlow from 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. with CBS News analyst Jamal Simmons serving as the master of ceremonies. 

Tickets for the 15th annual Urban Wheel Awards are available for purchase at all Ticketmaster locations and www.ticketmaster.com as well as the MotorCity Casino Hotel’s box office. To purchase tickets via phone, call (800) 745-3000. Tickets cost $250 and $100.

The MotorCity Casino Hotel is offering a special hotel rate of $179 per night for event attendees. To make a reservation, contact the hotel at (866) 752-9622 and mention the Urban Wheel Awards or visit motorcitycasino.com.

Furthermore, all winning vehicles are to be featured in the fall issue of Decisive Auto, which is available online at www.decisivemagazine.com and the Apple Store.