The battery-electric Nissan LEAF was the only car given an IHS Award this year, being presented at the Automotive News World Congress in Detroit. The IHS Automotive Loyalty Awards are fact-based accolades given based on a manufacturer's and model's ability to retain owners over repeat buying cycles. For this reason, they are coveted by carmakers as proof that their products resonate with their customers even after the "newness" has worn off.

The Nissan LEAF, of course, is the best-selling electric car in the United States, North America, and the world. Last year, it broke its own sales records with 30,200 units sold in 2014.

Nissan attributes the LEAF's success to its versatile nature and general appeal to consumers. "Since entering the market in 2010, the Nissan LEAF has steadily gained supporters throughout the U.S.," said Toby Perry, director of marketing for Nissan LEAF. "While the majority of original buyers were electric vehicle enthusiasts, we're now seeing more and more 'regular' car buyers fall in love with LEAF because of its many financial benefits, fun-to-drive nature and roomy interior. Our LEAF fans are some of the most loyal customers in the world, and we're thrilled to see that validated with this IHS award."

IHS Automotive analyzes loyalty throughout the year and regularly works with its customers to effectively manage owner loyalty and conquest efforts through in-depth research and analysis of automotive shopping behaviors, related market influencers and conquest and retention strategies. Loyalty is determined when a household that owns a new vehicle returns to market and purchases or leases another new vehicle of the same make, model or manufacturer.

Of note, the only other electrified vehicle on the IHS list this year was the Lexus CT200h, a hybrid.