2. BMW
It may not have made as much noise in 2011 but BMW enjoyed another solid year of sales increases and continued to position itself as the greenest of automakers. Most noteworthy was its rollout its i brand, which will comprise electric vehicles, hybrids, and other alternative-fuel vehicles. Until the launch of the all-electric i3 city car in 2013, BMW will continue to promote its more-conventional "efficient dynamics" efforts to boost fuel economy in gasoline-powered cars like the latest version of the 3 Series.