Santa Monica, California – The Green Car Journal has announced the five finalists for its annual Green Car of the Year Award for 2009, with the winner to be named November 20 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The award recognizes new model vehicles that provide “real answers for new car buyers looking for a personal stake in lessening environmental impact.”

The five finalists for 2009 are the BMW 335d, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid, Smart Fortwo and the Volkswagen Jetta TDI.

“There is a sea change occurring in the auto industry that’s finding an ever-increasing number of ‘green’ cars being introduced at new car showrooms,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal. “That’s made this year’s selection of Green Car of the Year nominees all the more challenging. This is a real plus for new car buyers, since the trend will continue to gather momentum as automakers reinvent themselves in a changing auto market that’s requiring higher efficiency and greater environmental performance.”

Vehicles using all types of technologies, fuels and powerplants are eligible for the award; to qualify, a vehicle must exhibit characteristics that substantially raise the bar in environmental performance, be in production by January 1 of the award year, and driven by the Green Car Journal. The winner will be chosen by a jury that includes Sierra Club executive director Carl Pope, Oceans Futures Society president Jean-Michel Cousteau, auto collector and Tonight Show host Jay Leno, and automotive icon Carroll Shelby.