And Now There Is One.... Chevrolet Volt Declared 2011 World Green Car

NEW YORK, April 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- At a press conference hosted by Bridgestone Corporation and the New York International Auto Show, the Chevrolet Volt was declared the 2011 World Green Car*.

The Chevrolet Volt was chosen from an initial entry list of twelve (12) new vehicles from all over the world, then a short list of ten, then three finalists:  the Chevrolet Volt, the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition and the Nissan Leaf.

"The selection of the Volt as the World Green Car is a further proof point of the fuel efficient technologies that are now being offered by the Chevrolet brand around the world," said Rick Schiedt, Vice President of Chevrolet Marketing. "This award, and the others that have preceded it, validate the efforts of the development team to build a truly remarkable vehicle with the potential to transform transportation around the globe."

The World Green Car award is presented by Bridgestone Corporation (Japan).  Ryoji Yamada, General Manager of Brand Management said, "We are very pleased and honored to sponsor the 2011 World Green Car award.  The environment is everyone's responsibility. And throughout our global family of companies, we take this responsibility very seriously.  We believe it is our mission to serve society with superior quality... not just with eco-friendly products but also in the way we produce those products and the way in which we support our many communities with environmentally-friendly activities such as wildlife habitats and our Lake Biwa initiative in Japan".

To be eligible for the 2011 World Green Car* award, a vehicle had to be all-new, or substantially revised, in production and introduced for sale or lease to the public in quantities of at least 10 in at least one major market during the period beginning January 1, 2010 and ending May 30th, 2011.  Tailpipe emissions, fuel consumption, and use of a major advanced power plant technology (beyond engine componentry), aimed specifically at increasing the vehicle's environmental responsibility, were all taken into consideration.

Due to the complexity of some of the 'green' technologies, three (3) green experts were appointed by the World Car Awards Steering Committee to extensively review all documentation and specs associated with each candidate.   They were asked to create a short-list of finalists for review by the sixty-six (66) jurors in their second round of voting in February.  Their ballots were then tabulated by the international accounting firm KPMG.

The three experts were unanimous in choosing the Volt as a top three finalist.  They commented, "The Chevrolet Volt is the first mass-produced series hybrid/extended range electric vehicle. GM developed it from a concept in a remarkably short period of time and brought it to market on schedule and largely meeting its original performance targets. With the ability to drive 25-50 miles on electricity alone it will meet most drivers' commuting needs mostly gasoline and emissions free. After the battery is depleted, the ability to keep driving without having to wait hours for a recharge means that this car can be used anytime, anywhere.  America's EPA has rated the Volt's mileage at 93 mpg in EV-mode and at 37 mpg in gasoline mode. It is reported to generate CO2 emissions of 52g/km and can be recharged by plugging into 120-240V outlets".

The three green experts are in alphabetical order:

Phil Berg (representing North America) contributor to GreenFuelsForecast.com, DieselForecast.com HydrogenForecast.com, PopularMechanics.com, AutoWeek, Car and Driver.

Dean Slavnich (representing Europe) is editor of Engine Technology International (ETi) and its sister publication, Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology International (E&H).  Engine Technology International is widely regarded as the most readable, passionate and informative publication currently produced on the subject of OE engine and powertrain design, development and manufacture.

Tadashi Tateuchi (representing Asia) is the creator and chairman of the Japan Electric Vehicle (EV) Club.  He was awarded the Environment Minister's medal in 1998.  A juror on the Japan Car of the Year panel, he contributes regularly to Car Graphic magazine and the Japan Automobile Federation's monthly magazine.  

Previous World Green Car winners were the Volkswagen BlueMotion in 2010, the Honda FCX Clarity in 2009, the BMW 118d with Efficient Dynamics in 2008, the Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec in 2007 and the Honda Civic Hybrid in 2006

Prime Research International, a global leader in strategic communication research and consultancy is once again the World Car Awards' research partner.  The company will provide strategic reports in 2011 that analyze our awards global automotive media coverage.  

PHOTOS from today's press conference are available for download on our web site at www.wcoty.com > Award Photos.  Additional information?  Contact:  Beth Rhind, Executive Manager, E: [email protected], T: 1.705.924.3444.  

About the WORLD CAR AWARDS

Now in their seventh year, the annual World Car awards have become one of the world's most prestigious, credible and significant programs of its kind.

The awards were inaugurated in 2003, and officially launched in January 2004, to reflect the reality of the global marketplace, as well as to recognize and reward automotive excellence on an international scale.   The awards are intended to complement, not compete, with existing national and regional Car of the Year programs.

The awards are administered by a non-profit association, under the guidance of a Steering Committee of pre-eminent automotive journalists from Asia, Europe, and North America.  Peter Lyon (Japan) and Matt Davis (Italy) are the co-chairs; John McCormick (USA), Jens Meiners (Germany) and Gerry Malloy (Canada) are the directors.  There is no affiliation with, nor are the awards in any way influenced by any publication, auto show, automaker, or other commercial enterprise.

About BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION

Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it also manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.

About PRIME RESEARCH

PRIME Research International, a global leader in strategic communication research and consultancy, has joined forces with the World Car Awards to provide strategic studies in the fields of automotive assessment criteria and automotive awards. PRIME Research is a well-trusted research partner for the automotive industry with a broad range of automotive clients. Its full picture approach, which provides strategic benchmark information and SWOT analyses on over 100 brands and over 10,000 different automobile models, sets the standard in automotive media research.    

About the 2011 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS)

Showcasing the latest automotive trends, the 2011 New York International Auto Show will unveil an extensive collection of the most technologically advanced vehicles on display anywhere in the world. More than four floors of displays, including the new Javits Center North exhibition hall, will house nearly 1,000 stunning new 2011/2012 vehicles as well as sensational futuristic concept cars.  NYIAS is owned and produced by the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association.

Important Show Information:   Public Show Dates:  April 22 – May 1

Show Hours:  Monday – Saturday:  10 a.m. - 10 p.m.    Sundays:  10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

www.autoshowNY.com; www.facebook.com/nyautoshow ; www.twitter.com/nyautoshow. Download the NYIAS App at iTunes.com

*The World Green Car award was established in 2004 and is part of the overall World Car of the Year Awards program that is international in scope.   It should not be confused with the Green Car of the Year® award handed out in the United States by Green Car Journal.

SOURCE New York International Auto Show