World Green Car honors went to the Chevrolet Volt.
The Leaf was chosen from an initial entry list of 39 new vehicles from across the globe that was whittled down to a short list of ten, and then three, finalists. The Audi A8 and the BMW 5 Series were the other top contestants.
“It is a great joy that the world’s first, mass-marketed electric vehicle, the Nissan Leaf, has won the prestigious award of 2011 World Car of the Year,” says Carlos Ghosn, the automaker’s chairman and CEO.
“This accolade recognizes (the) Nissan Leaf, a pioneer in zero-emission mobility, as comparable in its driving performance, quietness and superb handling to gas- powered cars,” he notes. “And it validates Nissan’s clear vision and the values of sustainable mobility that we want to offer to customers around the world.”
Vehicles are selected and voted on by an international panel comprised of 66 automotive journalists from 24 countries. Each juror was appointed by the World Car Steering Committee on the basis of his or her expertise, experience, credibility and influence. Each juror typically drives and evaluates new releases on a regular basis as part of their professional work.
Previous World Car of the Year winners were the Volkswagen Polo in 2010, VW’s Golf in 2009, the Mazda2/Mazda Demio in 2008, the Lexus LS460 in 2007, the BMW 3-Series in 2006 and the Audi A6 in 2005.