We attended the North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards at the Automotive Hall of Fame. Two 2008 GM concepts, the Cadillac CTS Coupé and the Saab 9-X BioHybrid, drove away with awards from the event. Organized by the South East Automotive Media Organization (SEAMO), the awards recognize those vehicles most likely to shape the future of the automobile industry.

A jury of more than two dozen professional automotive journalists from throughout North America selected the winners from 40 Concept Vehicles and 12 Production Preview Vehicles that made a North American debut during the 2008 Auto Show season. The Concept Award jury panel is assembled by peer selection, and the jurors do not pay or get paid to participate.

Listen to:

• John Manoogian - Cadillac Exterior Design Director
• Michelle Krebs - Edmunds' Senior Editor — Industry
• Roger McCormack - Saab Automobile USA Marketing Director

discuss the awards and the 2 concept winners.

Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan - 2008
Video Courtesy of General Motors Corporation

The Concept Car category was contested by a total of 21 nominees that made their North American debut in 2008. Responding to the "boomer" generation's growing demand for luxury coupe designs, Cadillac's CTS Coupé Concept was the winner of the 2008 {Concept Car of the Year" award.

The Specialty Concept category was established to recognize those vehicles outside the mainstream purpose or definition of a car or truck, as well as those vehicles where the technology, not the package, is the key story. The Saab 9-X BioHybrid was named the 2008 "Specialty Concept Vehicle of the Year". From amongst the four category winners, the Cadillac CTS Coupé was the top-scoring concept vehicle by a wide margin, earning the top spot as "Most Significant Concept Vehicle of 2008."

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