Earlier this week, the Concept Vehicle of the Year awards were presented, and the big winners were Ford, Hyundai, and BMW.

The awards, which are voted upon by automotive journalists, can go to any of the concept cars that debuted at this year’s auto shows in New York, Chicago, Detroit, and Los Angeles. Hyundai’s HCD-14 Genesis won best concept car while the Ford Atlas pickup won best concept truck and the BMW i8 Spyder won best production preview vehicle.

What made the 2013 awards different from previous years? First and foremost, it seems like automakers are pushing to make these concepts into a reality. For example, Ford’s main aim with the Atlas was proving that a pickup truck can be powerful while still being fuel efficient. According to Ford’s truck group marketing manager Doug Scott, the Atlas is a peek at the real “future” of Ford, not an idea that will never actually materialize on the showroom floor. Secondly, the Ford Atlas and Hyundai HCD-14 were both premiered in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show. Perhaps it was just a coincidence, but it could be that Detroit is the place to look for future Concept Vehicle of the Year winners.

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