The 2009 World Green Car award is actually the second time Honda received this accomplishment – previously the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid won. Honda’s FCX Clarity was chosen from an entry list of twenty-two contenders nominated by fifty-nine World Car jurors from twenty-five countries throughout the world. Check out the Honda Press Release below.

Honda FCX Clarity Receives Green World Car Award

To be eligible for the 2009 World Green Car* award, a vehicle had to available in at least one major market during 2008. The vehicle or the green technology could be in production or an experimental prototype with potential near-future application, provided that it was released for individual or press fleet evaluations in quantities of ten or more during 2008. Tailpipe emissions, fuel consumption, and use of a major advanced power plant technology (beyond engine componentry), aimed specifically at increasing the vehicle’s environmental responsibility, were all taken into consideration.

Due to the complexity of some of the ‘green’ technologies, three (3) green experts were appointed by the World Car Steering Committee to extensively review all documentation and specs associated with each candidate. They were asked to create a short-list of five finalists for review by the fifty-nine (59) jurors in their second round of voting in February. The ballots were then tabulated by the international accounting firm KPMG.

The three green experts were in alphabetical order:

Sam Abuelsamid (representing North America) is the technical editor of several ‘green’ web sites including GreenFuelsForecast.com, DieselForecast.com and HydrogenForecast.com. In 2006, he began writing for AutoblogGreen.com and Autoblog.com; becoming a full-time writer and photographer and editor in 2007.

Dean Slavnich (representing Europe) is editor of Engine Technology International (ETi) and its sister publication, Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology International (E&H), for the past four years. Engine Technology International is widely regarded as the most readable, passionate and informative publication currently produced on the subject of OE engine and powertrain design, development and manufacture.

Tadashi Tateuchi (representing Asia) is the creator and chairman of the Japan Electric Vehicle (EV) Club. He was awarded the Environment Minister’s medal in 1998. A juror on the Japan Car of the Year panel, he contributes regularly to Car Graphic magazine and the Japan Automobile Federation’s monthly magazine.

The fifty-nine (59) member jury chose the Honda FCX Clarity, the Mitsubishi iMiEV, and the Toyota iQ as the top three finalists for the 2009 World Green Car award.

Jurors felt that “The FCX clarity is an utterly real, hydrogen-fuelled luxury sedan that provides the amenities people expect in a premium car with 430 km range, fuel consumption of about 3.3 litres/100 km (72 mpg US) equivalent and zero tailpipe emissions. While there is only so much the automotive industry can do when it comes to this technology – governments need to come onboard to help create a true refuelling infrastructure – Honda must be credited for taking a bold step in leasing FCX Clarity to customers in California for US$600 per month. There’s still a long way to go before fuel-cell cars will become a commercial success, but hats off to Honda for continuing to advance this expensive technology during a time when every cent counts.”

“Honda is honored to receive this distinguished award. The FCX Clarity is a symbol of the progress we have made with fuel cell vehicles and our commitment to developing vehicles that meet the societal goals of climate stability, renewable energy supplies and zero-emissions transportation,” said Steve Center, Vice President, National Marketing Operations, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Now in their sixth year, the annual World Car awards have become one of the world’s most prestigious, credible and significant programs of its kind.

The awards were inaugurated in 2003, and officially launched in January 2004, to reflect the reality of the global marketplace, as well as to recognize and reward automotive excellence on an international scale. The awards are intended to complement, not compete, with existing national and regional Car of the Year programs.

The awards are administered by a non-profit association, under the guidance of a Steering Committee of pre-eminent automotive journalists from Asia, Europe, and North America. There is no affiliation with, nor are the awards in any way influenced by any publication, auto show, automaker, or other commercial enterprise.

The five-story tall Asimo will make it’s way down Pasadena streets behind the Hydrogen fueled Honda FCX Clarity, and flanked by an army of choreographed dancers – whose purpose is to distract onlookers while Asimo tramples and demolishes buildings and shoot laser beams at the crowd.

Ok, we may be exaggerating a little. Honestly, how dangerous can a giant robot be? Especially one dressed like that Dancing Frog from The WB:

Following in Honda’s footsteps, Comedy Central will introduce a three-story tall Eric Cartman Awesome-O Robot float, powered by a Cheez-it fueled vehicle.

Honda’s Official Asimo Float Press Release:

Today Honda tested its unique Rose Parade float as part of a rehearsal of the parade’s opening show, conducted for media and invited guests in Pasadena, Calif., revealing the float design and giving parade fans a glimpse of this year’s event. Honda’s Rose Parade float, a 49-foot replica of Honda’s ASIMO humanoid robot, and the parade’s first-ever hydrogen-powered fuel cell pace car, the Honda FCX Clarity, will lead the 120th Rose Parade as well as kick off Honda’s 50th anniversary of U.S. operations.

In front of the millions of viewers watching from around the world on Jan. 1, 2009, Honda’s float will evolve from an opening ceremony stage into an animated replica of Honda’s ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility), standing about 12 times the height of the actual ASIMO humanoid robot. Honda’s float creation called “Hats Off in Celebration” will be completed with natural materials like lettuce seed, rice, carnations and strawflower. The float will be joined by the Prairie View A&M University Marching Band, a past participant in the Honda Battle of the Bands which features the music programs of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. A few members of the band will ride on the float, which will be immediately followed by the entire marching band. In addition, during the parade the FCX Clarity pace car will be accompanied by the Honda Super Cub motorcycle, the first model sold in the United States.

“Honda always brings a great amount of innovation to the Rose Parade and what a fantastic way for the company to kick off their 50th anniversary in the U.S.,” said Bill Flinn, chief operating officer, Tournament of Roses. The Honda float includes a variety of flowers, plants and seeds that will later be ground up for mulch after the parade activities are concluded. The surface of ASIMO will be covered with super fine ground white rice and super fine ground everlasting; it is accented by fine cut blue statice and fine cut red static as well as silverleaf to create accents and “shadows.” Fine cut everlasting, whole red carnations and white chrysanthemums will bring vivid color to Honda’s 50th anniversary logos, which will be decorated by Honda associates (employees) on December 27.

“We’re honored to be celebrating our first 50 years in America by continuing our participation in the Rose Parade,” said Stephan Morikawa of American Honda Community Relations. “We’re thankful that so many customers have placed their trust in our products and services, and we are looking forward to surpassing their expectations during the next 50 years.”

Honda is one of the parade’s longest-running corporate sponsors, and its Rose Parade entries have captured major awards in 13 out of the last 14 years. Honda is the official Tournament of Roses vehicle. This year, the company will provide 115 vehicles, including the Honda FCX Clarity pace car; 166 Metropolitan scooters; and, 12 generators for use by Tournament of Roses personnel. The 120th Rose Parade, themed “Hats off to Entertainment,” will take place Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2009 at 8 a.m. (PST).