Can there be any greater evidence of just how far electric cars have come, than with the battery electric Nissan LEAF scooping the Car of the Year Japan award?
Announced at the Tokyo Motor Show, this is the 32nd year that the Car of the Year Japan awards have been held – and it is the first time that an electric car has earned the award.
On the presentation of the award, Nissan president and CEO Carlos Ghosn commented that 20,000 Nissan LEAF electric vehicles have been sold and that the car is helping Nissan deliver its promise of affordable, zero emission mobility on a global scale. He believes the award is not only a win for Nissan, but also for its customers and that it proves zero emission vehicles can be a competitive alternative to conventional cars.
In addition, the Nissan LEAF also scooped the 2012 RJC Car of the Year award presented by the Automotive Researchers’ and Journalists’ Conference of Japan. It was also named Japan Automotive Hall of Fame’s 2011-2012 Car of the Year; 2011 European Car of the Year; and 2011 World Car of the Year.
