Nissan Leaf elected 2011 European Car of the Year

The Nissan Leaf has been awarded with the 2011 European Car of the Year a prize that is an historic moment both for Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. and zero emission vehicles.

The 100% electric vehicle, the world's first mass-marketed, affordable, zero-emission car was chosen between 40 contenders to win the most important award in the automotive world. After 47 years of history, the jury has for the first time chosen an electric vehicle to receive the Car of the Year award, which also represents an historic victory for the green automotive market.

The jury, formed by 57 leading motoring journalists from 23 European countries, selected the Nissan Leaf from a list which included the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, Citroën’s C3/DS3 platform, Dacia Duster, Ford C-MAX/Grand C-MAX platform, Opel/Vauxhall Meriva and Volvo S60/V60 platform.

"The jury acknowledged today that the Nissan LEAF is a breakthrough for electric cars. Nissan LEAF is the first EV that can match conventional cars in many respects," said Håkan Matson, President of the Jury, Car of the Year.

On behalf of Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., Carlos Goshn said "This award recognizes the pioneering zero-emission Nissan LEAF as competitive to conventional cars in terms of safety, performance, spaciousness and handling. It also reflects Nissan's standing as an innovative and exciting brand with a clear vision of the future of transportation, which we call sustainable mobility.”

Nissan’s President and CEO also acknowledged the importance of the first mass produced zero-emission car: With three other electric vehicles in the pipeline from Nissan - and with the imminent market introduction of four additional electric vehicles from our Alliance partner Renault - Nissan LEAF represents a significant first step toward a zero-emission future."