The Nissan LEAF has been named the 2011 World Car of The Year at the New York Auto Show on Thursday, besting the Audi A8 and the BMW 5 Series.
The Nissan LEAF was chosen from an initial entry list of thirty-nine new vehicles from all over the world, then a short list of ten, then three finalists: the Nissan Leaf, the Audi A8 and the BMW 5 Series.
To be eligible for the overall World Car award, the candidates must become available for sale on at least two continents during the period beginning January 1, 2010 and ending May 30, 2011.
The LEAF was not the only plug-in electric car to be awarded today, as the General Motors Co.’s Chevrolet Volt won 2011 World Green Car at the New York Auto Show, besting BMW 320d and the Nissan LEAF.
The 2011 World Car Design award went to the Aston Martin Rapide, defeating the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and the Ferrari 458 Italia.
The Ferrari 458 Italia was named the winner of the 2011 World Performance Car category, defeating the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and Porsche 911 Turbo.[wzslider height=”400″ lightbox=”true”]
