Electrics, Hybrids Grab Concept Vehicle Awards

Washington DC June 21, 2010; The AIADA newsletter reported that electric vehicles and hybrids swept the 2010 North American Concept Vehicle Awards.

The Nissan Leaf, Audi E-tron, and BMW Vision EfficientDynamics won the awards, which recognized the most significant concept vehicles automakers introduced at the top auto shows in North America, reports Mark Phelan at the Detroit Free Press.

The 2010 awards also mark the first time U.S.-based automakers did not win any of the awards. Chrysler and General Motors cut back sharply on the number of concept vehicles they created as they went through bankruptcy reorganization last year. The global economic meltdown led automakers all over the world to create fewer concepts in 2009, leading the jury to reduce the number of awards from five to three.

The Nissan Leaf was named the best production preview concept, the award for vehicles that are very close to a model the automaker will produce.

The Audi E-tron and BMW Vision EfficientDynamics tied for most significant concept, an award for more far-out vehicles that break new ground. BMW's Vision EfficientDynamics combines swoopy styling with plug-in hybrid technology and a three-cylinder diesel engine that provide 0-62 mph acceleration of 4.8 seconds and 63 mpg fuel economy.

Click Here to read more on the winners of the 2010 North American Concept Vehicle Awards.