(June 22, 2010) DETROIT — The Nissan Leaf was named Production Preview Vehicle of the Year and the Audi e-tron and the BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics were named co-winners of the Most Significant Concept Vehicle of 2010.

The winners were announced at the ninth annual North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards Monday during a ceremony at the Automotive Hall of Fame. The awards recognize those vehicles most likely to shape the future of the automobile industry.

A jury of more than two dozen North American automotive journalists selected the winners from19 Concept Vehicles and eight Production Preview Vehicles that made a North American debut during the 2010 Auto Show season.

The Production Preview Vehicle category is for those vehicles based on a model that has already been announced or planned for production.

According to juror Chris Poole, “The Nissan Leaf is a bold and ambitious effort to bring pure-electric vehicles to the mass-market at a price real people can afford. As such, it promises to change the way thousands of people drive over the next few years, and could well accelerate mass-market acceptance of EVs.”

Because of the unprecedented challenges faced by the auto industry in 2010, a reduced number of Concept Vehicles prompted the consolidation of the Car, Truck, and Specialty Concept categories into a single “Concept Vehicle” category.

Co-winner Audi e-tron features two electric drive motors that independently power each of the rear wheels, representing a leap in the evolution of drivetrain power distribution. The ability to independently control not only braking, but also power application down to the level of milliseconds, enables precise control of vehicle dynamics, beyond that of current stability control systems.

“This peek into Audi's not too distant future promises to infuse the EV category with the style, performance and desirability,” said juror Lyndon Conrad Bell. “Audi has trained us to expect from its products. A miniature R8 with instant torque and no emissions? How can you not love that?”

Sporting the gullwing doors that are among the signature design attributes of many legendary super-cars, co-winner BMW’s Vision EfficientDynamics concept combines a plug-in hybrid drivetrain architecture, with a cutting-edge 2+2 interior configuration, neatly wrapped with an angular yet organic body line.

“BMW’s Vision EfficientDynamics promises that a future filled with hybrids and EVs does not have to be drab. Performance for this plug-in full hybrid is measured not only in MPG, but also MPH . . . Environmental responsibility, meet exhilaration,” says juror Ryan Gehm.

While the studios that gave form to this year’s winners have all made it to the finalist level in previous years, 2010 marks the first podium appearance for all three design studios. This also marks the first year of competition where one of the “Detroit 3" manufacturers did not claim the top honors.