All About Japan Autos

22,000 Americans will get the 2011 Nissan Leaf this this December, and according to Car of the Year, they made a wise purchase. The organization named the Nissan Leaf the 2011 European Car of the Year.

“In the 47-year history of the annual competition, this is the first time the award has gone to an electric vehicle,” says CNET. “This comes on the heels of the Leaf being rated at 99 MPGe by the Environmental Protection Agency.”

USA Today explains that the Leaf “beat out seven finalists to be named 2011 European Car of the Year on Monday by a panel of 58 auto journalists representing 23 European countries.”

Car of the Year gave the Leaf this award because it’s a well rounded vehicle. The organization states, “The Leaf has been conceived atop a specific platform for electric vehicles, with features typical of a conventional compact car: front McPherson suspension, rear torsion beam, front wheel drive and a practical 5-door hatchback body with remarkable aerodynamics.”

Despite the Leaf’s obvious range restrictions and a limited amount of public chargers, Car of the Year says the Leaf is a step in the right direction: ”the Leaf represents a technical and commercial bet that might otherwise satisfy many potential consumers, especially where public incentives will come to reduce the paying price.”

Shoppers who haven’t signed up for a Leaf, but find its recognition in the industry encouraging and think its short range won’t inhibit their lifestyles will have to wait. The first wave of registrations has ended, and Nissan hasn’t said when the second wave will begin. Until then, we’ll keep you posted on any more awards the Leaf receives and how it does once the car is finally in consumer hands later this year.

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