To the surprise of absolutely no one, the Chevrolet Volt was awarded the 2011 North American Car of the Year.

"It's a great honor to be recognized as the North American Car of the Year," said GM CEO Dan Akerson after being handed the award at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. "Since development began, we believed the Volt had the potential to transform the automotive industry. Today, the Volt is the first electric vehicle to win the prestigious North American Car of the Year award, and the first vehicle ever to receive the industry's highest automotive, technology, and environmental recognitions."

Apart for the Volt's quantum leap in extended drive technology, it represents the new General Motors, recently emerged from bankruptcy and ready to take on the world's finest yet again.

An American take on the electric car, the Volt delivers electric power for 25 to 50 miles, after which the gasoline engine kicks in to charge the lithium-ion battery pack an enable an additional 300 miles.
More: Detroit 2011: Chevy Volt Wins North American Car of the Year, No One Surprised [Video] on AutoGuide.com