That extra 350,000 or so sales is no drop in the bucket, but since total sales are expected to be between 10 million and 11 million this year, it's hardly the lifesaver that manufacturers needed, especially since September sales are on track to be one of the worst months ever and dealers are suffering what's being called "clunker hangover."

Even so, life goes on, and that means manufacturers are continuing to roll out new models.

Yes, there have been some cancellations and postponements of new vehicles, but the list of vehicles coming to a showroom near you, or are already there, is downright startling.

I mention this because it's time to begin contemplating the annual "Of The Year" awards: Motor Trend will name its top car, and Car and Driver will name its "10 Best," and dozens of other publications and Web sites and TV shows will name theirs. But since 1994, perhaps the most coveted award is the North American Car and Truck of the Year, because it is decided by a panel of 50 automotive journalists, rather than from a single source. I'm the only voting member of the panel in the Southeast, and I am already aware this will be a very tough decision.

To be eligible, vehicles must be either new, or substantially changed from last year. The winner and two runners-up will be announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.

Here is the "long list" of vehicles that we'll narrow down to a dozen or so, before that final vote:

Audi S4, BMW Z4, BMW 335d (diesel), BMW 5-series GT, Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Fusion, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Ford Mustang, Ford Mustang GT500, Ford Taurus, Ford Taurus SHO, Honda Insight, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Hyundai Elantra Touring, Jaguar XFR, Kia Forte, Kia Soul, Lexus HS250 H (hybrid), Lexus IS250/350 C (convertibles), Mazda3 and MazdaSpeed 3, Mercedes E-class, Nissan Cube, Nissan 370Z, Porsche Panamera, Subaru Legacy, Suzuki Kizashi, Toyota Prius and Volkswagen Golf/Golf TDI.

For a down year, this is inarguably one of the strongest bunch of candidates we've ever had. Just look at hybrids alone: a new Honda Insight, a redesigned Toyota Prius, the new under-$35,000 Lexus hybrid sedan, and the excellent Ford Fusion Hybrid.

Look at the sportier models: a brand-new Chevrolet Camaro; an updated Ford Mustang; the return of the powerful Ford Taurus SHO, a very appealing coupe version of last year's winner, the Hyundai Genesis; a redesigned Nissan 370Z; the Jaguar XFR; and Porsche's first four-door sports car, the Panamera.

The candidates for the 2010 North American Truck of the Year are solid but less exceptional: Acura ZDX, Audi Q5, BMW X5 xDrive35d diesel, Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid, Ford Transit Connect, GMC Terrain, GMC Sierra Hybrid, Honda Crosstour, Land Rover LR4, Lexus RX350/450h, Lincoln MKT, Subaru Outback, Toyota 4Runner, Volvo XC60 and the Volkswagen Touareg V-6 TDI diesel.

The awards are tough to handicap by manufacturer. In the past 16 years, domestic automakers have won North American Car of the Year eight times, Japanese automakers three times, European automakers four times. Last year, the Korean-built Hyundai Genesis was the first car to win from that country. In the truck category, domestic automakers won 10 times, Japanese automakers four times, and European automakers have won twice.

So who will win this year? I've never been so unsure, and I take that as very good sign for automakers.