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.
Out of 12 entries, Bridgestone’s honor for this year’s World Green Car went to the Chevrolet Volt.
The Leaf and BMW’s 320d EfficientDynamics Edition were the other two finalists.
“The selection of the Volt as the World Green Car is a further proof point of the fuel efficient technologies that are now being offered by the Chevrolet brand around the world,” says Rick Schiedt, vice president of Chevy’s marketing efforts.
“This award, and the others that have preceded it, validate the efforts of the development team to build a truly remarkable vehicle with the potential to transform transportation around the globe,” he adds.
Three experts in “green” automotive technology were enlisted to assist the jurors with their selections. They were unanimous in choosing the Volt as a finalist.
Says the panel: “The Chevrolet Volt is the first mass- produced series hybrid/extended range electric vehicle. GM developed it from a concept in a remarkably short period of time and brought it to market on schedule and largely meeting its original performance targets. With the ability to drive 25-50 miles on electricity alone it will meet most drivers’ commuting needs mostly gasoline and emissions free. After the battery is depleted, the ability to keep driving without having to wait hours for a recharge means that this car can be used anytime, anywhere. America’s EPA has rated the Volt’s mileage at 93 mpg in EV-mode and at 37 mpg in gasoline mode. It is reported to generate CO2 emissions of 52g/km and can be recharged by plugging into 120-240V outlets.”
“The environment is everyone’s responsibility,” says Ryoji Yamada, Bridgestone’s general manager of brand management. “And throughout our global family of companies, we take this responsibility very seriously. We believe it is our mission to serve society with superior quality...not just with eco-friendly products but also in the way we produce those products and the way in which we support our many communities with environmentally-friendly activities such as wildlife habitats and our Lake Biwa initiative in Japan.”
For more information, visit www.bridgestone- firestone.com.
