Today at the New York International Auto Show, a panel of automotive journalists named the Nissan Leaf as the 2011 World Car of the Year.
The Leaf beat runners up BMW 5-Series and Audi A8 for the crown.
“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,” said Nissan Chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn in a statement.
The award winner is chosen every year by a panel of international journalists from Asia, Europe and North America.
Other Winners
The panel also selected the Ferrari 458 Italia as its Performance Car of the Year, the Aston Martin Rapide as the World Car Design of the Year and the Chevrolet Volt as the World Green Car.
The Volt edged out the Leaf as well as the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics for the eco-friendly award.
