Hyundai Motor Co.’s all-new Genesis premium and Sonata midsize sedans may indirectly benefit from airbag safety issues plaguing rivals in the U.S. market, industry sources here said Monday.

The speculation comes as automotive journalists in the United States and Canada get ready to vote on the three vehicles that will be considered for the coveted 2015 North American Car of the Year title to be announced in January.

Of the 10 models on the current shortlist, only four manufacturers have not been cited for equipping their vehicles sold in the United States with defective airbags made by Japanese parts maker Takata Corp.

Hyundai, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen have not been affected by the sweeping airbag recalls taking place in the United States.

Besides the Genesis and Sonata, the Mercedes-Benz C-class, Audi A3, Volkswagen Golf-GTI, Acura TLX, Chrysler 200, Ford Mustang, Honda Fit, and Toyota Camry made the shortlist announced in September.

“The North American Car of the Year titles have in the past been given to cars that best reflect the main trend of the times, and with safety becoming an key issue, cars that excel in this field may hold their own when it comes to winning votes this year,” a market observer speculated. (Yonhap)