The head of the Ram Truck Brand could barely contain himself as he accepted the top truck award at the North American International Auto Show.

The Ram 1500 was named North American Truck/Utility of the Year and the Cadillac ATS won North American Car of the Year on Monday.

Fred Diaz, president and CEO of Ram Truck Brand, called winning the award a “surreal moment” for the brand, part of the Chrysler-Fiat group that declared bankruptcy less than four years ago and has broken off as a pickup truck group.

“When you know where we were three years ago, coming within an eyelash of non-existence and here we are three years later being able to receive such a prestigious honour,” says Diaz.

Diaz says being selected as the best by a panel of 49 automotive journalists from across North America is a humbling experience.

“Incredibly humble. It was honestly very tough to contain myself,” Diaz says.  “I wear my passion on my sleeve and as I was up there I was having a little bit of difficulty trying to hold back all of that emotion and feelings that I have for this incredible company and the culture that we all endure.”

Cadillac ATS chief engineer David Leone says he felt a similar way after learning they had won car of the year.

“I’ve been a finalist three times in developing cars,” says Leone. “This is the first time we’ve won, so it’s very humbling and very exciting. They are a tough crowd.”

Although the award was the first win for Cadillac, it was the fifth car win for GM. Other finalists were the Ford Fusion and Mazda CX-5.

This was the third win for Chrysler in the truck category. The Dodge Ram 1500 won in 1994.

The Ford C-Max and Mazda CX-5 were finalists in the truck/utility category.

More than 50 products are slated to be unveiled and over 500 vehicles will be on display during the show at Detroit's newly renovated Cobo Center Jan. 14-27.