The Nissan LEAF and Chevrolet Volt have been nominated among the three finalists for the 2011 North American Car of the Year Award.
Both the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and the 2011 Nissan LEAF were named as finalists for the award December 16, along with the 2011 Hyundai Sonata.
One will receive the top honor on Jan. 10 during the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.
Balloting involved 49 journalists from the United States and Canada, who submitted their picks this month.
The inclusion of the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan LEAF, which have been delivered to their first buyers in the past week, is a watershed moment for the rapidly-greening North American car industry.
The Chevrolet Volt has already won numerous awards including Motor Trend Car of the Year and Green Car of the Year by Automobile magazine, while the Nissan LEAF was named the European Car of the Year.
Even the Hyundai Sonata can boast green credentials, as it is available as a hybrid version as well as the standard sedan and sporty alternative.
Three sport utility vehicles, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2011 Dodge Durango and 2011 Ford Explorer, comprise the 2011 North American Truck of the Year are the Dodge Durango, the Ford Explorer and the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Last year the North American Car of the Year was the Ford Fusion Hybrid and the North American Truck of the Year was the Ford Transit Connect.
