The Winner 2011 World Car Of The Year: All-Electric Nissan Leaf

The All-Electric Nissan Leaf was crowned 2011 World Car of the Year, closely beating BMW 5 Series and Audi A8, the second and third. The first electric car to win the prestigious prize, consisting of 66 jurors from 24 countries, The All-Electric Nissan Leaf emerged victorious with 733.4 points in the group 40 cars. The 5 car series was followed by 730.0 points, followed by A8 with 709.0 points.

All-Electric Nissan Leaf, the first series of electric cars, however, was second fiddle for the Chevrolet Volt, the first series of hybrid / extended range electric vehicle in the world has mass produced, which will become to 2011 World Green Car of the Year. BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition was also at second winner.

Moreover, the 2011 World Performance Car of the Year won by Ferrari 458 Italia, ahead of Mercedes-Benz AMG SLS and Porsche 911 Turbo. The World Car Design of the Year 2011 went to the Aston Martin Rapide, which overshadowed the Alfa Romeo Giulietta 458 Italia and Ferrari in the eyes of the 66 jurors.

Total Japan's Car Production in March Declined by 57.3%

The top-8 Japanese car manufacturer all fell on drop in car production in March, the Automobile Manufacturers Association of Japan said, making the total car production in the month to decline by 57.3 % year on year to 404,039 units. Exports in March fell by a smaller margin, down from 26.1 % 312,478 units.

The big break in the chain of Japanese cars of delivery, a consequence of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11, resulted in major Japanese automakers suspension and lower production. Toyota's domestic production plunged by 62.7 % 129,491 units, with output of Honda dropped 62.9 % 34,754 units and Nissan cut output by 52.4 percent to 47,590 units.

Yet in 2010 the fiscal year ended in March 2011, total vehicle production rose for the first time in three years, 1.5 % for the year to 8,993,975 units. Similarly, net exports rose to 4,803,068 units, 17.5 % increase that bucked the downward trend in the last two years.