(November 17, 2010) The Chevrolet Volt won coveted Car of the Year awards Tuesday from Motor Trend magazine and Automobile magazine.

The double recognition, said Chevrolet marketing Vice President Chris Perry, "reinforces the fact that this is a breakthrough vehicle."

"This is a game-changer," Perry said.

Motor Trend Editor-in-Chief Angus MacKenzie, who announced the prize in Detroit, said the Volt, an extended-range plug-in that goes on sale later this year, is one of the most significant vehicles to receive the recognition in the award's 61-year history.

The Volt absolutely delivers on the promise of the vehicle concept as originally outlined by GM, combining the smooth, silent, efficient, low-emissions capability of an electric motor with the range and flexibility of an internal combustion engine," MacKenzie said.

“This is the most sophisticated, most important vehicle on the road today. It won’t just change what we drive, but also how we drive. Owners will plug in at night, heat or cool their cabin before they leave the garage, and adopt new driving styles to maximize their electric range. Then, when the battery is depleted, they’ll mindlessly motor on; free of the limitations that accompanies pure electric vehicles.”

As the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle with extended range, the Volt has a total driving range of about 350 miles. For the first 25 to 50 miles, the Volt drives gas- and tailpipe-emissions-free using electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gasoline-powered engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range more than 300 miles on a full tank.

“We are very grateful for this prestigious recognition from Automobile magazine,” said GM U.S. Marketing Vice President Joel Ewanick, who drove a Volt 2,394 miles from Detroit to Los Angeles for the show. “Automobile of the Year is a testament to the pioneering technology of the Volt, as well as the talent, intelligence and hard work of everyone at GM who made it a reality.”

The Volt was first shown as a concept in January, 2007 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. In June of that year, GM’s Board of Directors approved the start of product development for the Volt and the Voltec electric propulsion system.

In September, 2008, the production version of the Volt debuted during GM’s Centennial celebration. This month, retail production of the Chevrolet begins at Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly, with the first retail customer deliveries in December.