In a battle between a German and an American-made car for automobile supremacy, the German-conceived unit won out. The Volkswagen Golf won the North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) award today in an upset over the Ford Mustang. This award is considered to be one of the biggest accolades a car could receive in the automotive industry.

The Golf got the most tallies out of 57 voters representing a multitude of automotive outlets.

"Do not let (Golf's) plain-vanilla look fool you," NACTOY voter Denis Duquet of publication Le Guide de l'auto said according to USA Today. "This is 'the car' in every aspect."

Though the Golf has already taken home a bunch of awards, Ford's revamped Mustang was widely expected to take home the crown this time around. In fact, the result of this competition was so surprising that even Volkswagen executives were shocked when they learned of its outcome.

Michael Horn, who is the CEO of Volkswagen's operation in the U.S., said he was "flabbergasted" when he learned the Volkswagen Golf won the North American Car of the Year award.

"I thought it would be too good to be true," Horn said. "Volkswagen is thrilled to start 2015 with the Golf and Golf GTI taking home the incredible North American Car of the Year title."

The Hyundai Genesis and the aforementioned Mustang finished behind the Golf.

Last year, the winner was the Chevrolet's Corvette sports car took home the prize.

Other accolades that the Golf has earned include Motor Trend's Car of the Year award.

"The Volkswagen Golf gains fuel efficiency, safety and functionality while simultaneously costing less than the car it replaces. ... If the 2015 Golf signifies where VW is headed the German automaker's future looks bright indeed," Karl Brauer, a senior Kelley Blue Book analyst and NACTOY voter, said.

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