Nissan Leaf named Japan’s Car of the Year
The Nissan Leaf was recently announced as the winner of Japan’s Car of the Year 2011-2012 award at the Tokyo Motor Show. This result marks the first ever win for an electric vehicle in the award’s 32-year history. Nevertheless, it is not the first award under the Leaf’s belt, with the 2012 RJC Car of the Year award, Japan Automotive Hall of Fame’s 2011-2012 Cat of the Year, 2011 European Car of the Year, and 2011 World Car of the Year awards all in Nissan’s trophy cabinet.
In addition to its awards, the Leaf has also become a commercial success. According to Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn, “We have sold 20,000 Nissan LEAFs and also delivered on our promise of affordable, zero-emission mobility on a global scale. This award is as much a win for Nissan as it is for our customers.”
Malaysians will have the opportunity to experience what the Leaf has to offer next year. In a company statement, Dato’ Dr Ang Bon Beng, Executive Director of Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd has announced that a pilot programme for the Leaf will be introduced in Malaysia in the first half of next year.
According to Dato’ Ang, “This pilot program is in line with Nissan’s comprehensive efforts toward the realization of a zero-emission society.”
“The Pilot program will involve Electric Vehicle awareness sharing and experimental drives to Government bodies, members of the media as well as public audiences,” he added.
Fully powered by electricity, energy to the Leaf’s 107hp / 280Nm synchronous AC motor is supplied by a pack of 24 kWh lithium-ion batteries, which Nissan claims are strong enough to power a house if so needed.
