Automotive industry annual award competitions

Overview

Annual automotive award competitions have commenced in Japan and Lithuania, highlighting a significant industry shift toward electrification.

In Japan, the 47th Japan Car of the Year (2026-2027) nominees have been announced, consisting of 33 vehicles released or announced in the Japanese market between November 1, 2025, and October 31, 2026. The list includes 12 domestic models and 21 imported vehicles, with a heavy emphasis on SUVs and electrification. Major Japanese manufacturers such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, and Subaru have submitted various models.

Imported brands show a significant presence, particularly the Stellantis Group with eight nominations. German manufacturers including Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche are represented, alongside Asian brands from China and South Korea, such as BYD, Hyundai, and Kia. The selection process will proceed with the announcement of the ‘10 Best Cars’ on November 2, followed by test drives on November 18. The final award ceremony is scheduled for December 3 in Yokohama.

Simultaneously, the 30th annual Lithuanian Car of the Year competition has launched at Vilnius TECH university. This year features a record 44 models from 22 brands. The competition shows a heavy emphasis on electrification, with 28 fully electric models and six plug-in hybrids among the entries. Organizers noted a substantial increase in Asian manufacturers, with 32 of the 44 models originating from Asia, primarily from China and Japan.

Entities

BYD · Japan Car of the Year Executive Committee · Toyota · Honda · Lithuania

Timeline

1 day ago

[BUSINESS] 3 sources
Japan Car of the Year nominates 33 vehicles for 2026-2027
The Japan Car of the Year Executive Committee announced 33 nominees for the 2026-2027 awards, featuring 12 domestic and 21 imported vehicles with a strong focus on SUVs and electric models.
2 days ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
Lithuanian Car of the Year 2027 competition begins
The 30th Lithuanian Car of the Year competition has launched with a record 44 models, dominated by electric vehicles and Asian manufacturers.
3 days ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
Japan Car of the Year 2026-2027 nominees announced
Thirty-three vehicles, including a significant number of electric models like Suzuki's e SKY, have been nominated for the Japan Car of the Year 2026-2027.

Sources

ascii.jp · bestcarweb.jp · car-repo.jp · car.watch.impress.co.jp · miestonaujienos.lt · vz.lt · weekly.ascii.jp

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history