One Of These Is The World Champion Of Cars

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

After Nissan’s Leaf drove away with the European Car Of The Year title and the Volt snagged the American Car Of The Year title, what else was there to win? The WCOTY, of course. The champion of champions, the World Car Of The Year. And the winner is …

It’s the all electric, battery-powered Nissan Leaf. It edged out the BMW 5-Series and the Audi A8. The range extended Volt wasn’t even in the running. The World Car of the Year competition was launched in 2004, with winners chosen by a panel of automotive journalists from Asia, Europe and North America.

That the American Volt didn’t stand a chance with a United Nations of a jury is understandable. But a battery-powered Leaf winning against such heavyweights like the BMW 5-series and Audi A8, that’s remarkable.


Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • Savuporo Savuporo on Apr 22, 2011

    Why do you keep calling Volt "range extended" if its simply yet another hybrid ? Plugin hybrid, yes, but hybrid nonetheless.

  • PenguinBoy PenguinBoy on Apr 22, 2011

    It runs quite a bit further in pure EV mode before kicking into hybrid mode - hence range extended EV. Many users could do their daily commute in EV mode before kicking in the ICE.

  • Ajla Those letters look like they are from AutoZone.
  • Analoggrotto Kia EV9 was voted the best vehicle in the world and this is the best TOYOTA can do? Nice try, next.
  • 3-On-The-Tree 4cyl as well.
  • Luke42 I want more information about Ford’s Project T3.The Silverado EV needs some competition beyond just the Rivian truck. The Cybertruck has missed the mark.The Cybertruck is special in that it’s the first time Tesla has introduced an uncompetitive EV. I hope the company learns from their mistakes. While Tesla is learning what they did wrong, I’ll be shopping to replace my GMC Sierra Hybrid with a Chevy, a Ford, or a Rivian — all while happily driving my Model Y.
  • 3-On-The-Tree I wished they wouldn’t go to the twin turbo V6. That’s why I bought a 2021 Tundra V8.
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