Nissan snags Urban Wheels' "Green Company of the Year" award

The Nissan Leaf did not capture this year's North American Car of the Year Award. That crown was handed over to the 2011 Chevrolet Volt during the opening ceremonies of the Detroit Auto Show. Nissan's all-electric runabout did help the help the company win another honor in Detroit, though: Urban Wheels' "Green Company of the Year" award.

At the 15th Annual Urban Wheel Awards, which is held during the Detroit Auto Show, Decisive Media bestowed the Japanese automaker with its prestigious honor. Decisive Media said Nissan displayed environmental leadership in the automotive industry and developing what Decisive Media tags as the "most practical zero-emission product." That's gotta mean the Leaf. Decisive Media president Randi Payton said in a statement that:

In celebration of the 15th Annual Urban Wheel Awards and our mission to educate multicultural consumers on advances in vehicle technology and the environment, we thought it was important to identify and give special recognition to the auto companies making the greatest strides in environmental protection and fuel efficiency.

That's a good point. Spend even a little bit of time looking into it, and you notice that the green car scene in the U.S. is overwhelmingly white. There's no obvious reason this should be the case, since cleaner cars can and should appeal to all people. Decisive Media's award could play a valuable role in expanding the interest zone.

[Source: Nissan]

PRESS RELEASE

Nissan Honored as 'Green Company of the Year' at Urban Wheels Awards

FRANKLIN, Tenn., Jan. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Decisive Media presented Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) with the "Green Company of the Year Award" at the 15th Annual Urban Wheel Awards. Nissan received the award for environmental leadership in the automotive industry.

A Decisive Media panel of automotive journalists selected Nissan for building the "Most Practical Zero Emission Product" sold in the United States. According to the judging panel, Nissan has leapfrogged over every other manufacturer to become the head of the pack by offering the only affordable, five-passenger, fully electric vehicle offered by a mainstream nameplate in the United States.

"In celebration of the 15th Annual Urban Wheel Awards and our mission to educate multicultural consumers on advances in vehicle technology and the environment, we thought it was important to identify and give special recognition to the auto companies making the greatest strides in environmental protection and fuel efficiency," said Randi Payton, president of Decisive Media. "Honoring Nissan with our 'Green Company of the Year' award sends a message that it is committed to a long-term vision of sustainability for the well being of all."

"Nissan is honored to receive this award," said Jon Brancheau, vice president, Nissan Marketing, NNA. "We are very proud of the Nissan LEAF and the benefits it provides to the environment and consumers."

In December, the first Nissan LEAF vehicles were delivered to consumers in Nissan's primary launch markets in Southern California, Arizona, Oregon, Seattle and Tennessee. Nissan is on track for a nationwide launch of the Nissan LEAF by 2012, with Hawaii and Texas next to roll out in early 2011.

ABOUT THE URBAN WHEEL AWARDS

The 15th Annual Urban Wheel Awards is a world-class awards show, held in conjunction with the North American International Auto Show. The awards promotes inclusion in the nation's largest auto show and brings together celebrities, automotive executives, international media, government representatives and the multicultural community to celebrate inclusion in the automotive industry. The Urban Wheel Awards promotes awareness of their inclusion and honors the companies and individuals who have made progress toward embracing this reality. The daylong event begins with a "green" ribbon cutting ceremony and car show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by a celebrity "green" carpet and VIP reception at 5 p.m. The Urban Wheel Awards, which begins at 7 p.m., will honor four companies for leadership in environmental and fuel-efficient technologies. Winners of the Urban Car, Urban Truck, and Urban Green Vehicle of the Year awards will also be honored along with the Minority Supplier, Dealer, and Executive of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, and the Pioneer of the Year awards. For more information, please contact Rosiland Triche at events@decisivemag.com or (301) 850-2858. Visit www.decisivemagazine.com for more information.

ABOUT DECISIVE MEDIA

Decisive Media is a comprehensive multimedia company, which produces national print magazines, e-newsletter, web site, digital magazines, events for the multicultural consumer market. Decisive provides culturally relevant consumer news and information to minority consumers to help them make informed purchasing decisions on products and services. Decisive also helps companies reach this growing market by employing new media technology through the use of multiple marketing and public relations tools.

About Nissan North America

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010 and has been recognized as a 2010 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com.