It is one of the most watched motorsports competitions each year: executives and managers anxiously wait if their new models, for which they have spent billions of dollars in development and marketing, appear on the list of finalists of the World Car Awards for the more productive. New cars of the year. The list is the result of a survey of the world’s most thoughtful automotive experts, who also serve as the awards jury, and is in preparation for the major awards, which will be announced on March 27.
Then, there’s the handicapping: Will Hyundai sweep the awards for a third year in a row? Will one of the many eligible Chinese brands finally rise to the top as a finalist — or winner? Will an electric car take the World Performance Car award again this year, making it three of the last four?
The awards not only illustrate rising trends and marketplace changes, but also anticipate demand, desire and of course, sales.
After naming the finalists for the World Car Awards, the body’s juries will have more say in voting on the winners in February. They take into account driving dynamics, innovation, technology, performance, importance and the market. I’m a member of the judging panel at the World Car Awards along with Forbes automotive writers Michael Taylor and Karl Brauer. )
To be eligible, vehicles must be new or significantly redesigned and truly global, available for sale in more than two major markets on two or more continents in the 14 months ending March, 2024. Votes are tallied by KPMG and final results are a sealed-envelope affair held at the New York Auto Show.
The list of finalists for 2024 shows the global change of the automobile and some surprises: the return of the Abarth 500 as a prominent electric car; BYD as Potential World Car of the Year; Geely is making great strides with Volvo and Zeekr gaining favor; and the Toyota Prius received applause from critics (who thought of that?).
Plus the same old suspects: Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Mazda, Hyundai, Kia, Porsche, and Volkswagen.
Here are the finalists for the 2024 World Car of the Year:
A BMW i5 electric sedan is on display at the International Motor Show (IAA). (Photo via MaArray. [ ] Xiuxiu/China News Service/VCG Getty Images)
The Mercedes-Benz Group presents the EQE SUV at the Rodin Museum. (Photo via ERIC PIERMONT/AFP Getty. . . [ ] Images)
A Ferrari Purosangue at the 2023 Salon Privé (Photo by John Keeble/Getty Images)
The Abarth 500e compact car on display at the Brussels Expo (Photo by Sjoerd van der Wal/GettyArray). Images)
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe at the LA Auto Show (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty … [+] Images)
It’ll be another two months of pins and needles for automotive executives as they await the final results, though on February 27th, World Car Awards will narrow the field to the top three in each category at the Geneva International Motor Show. The organization will also announce its World Car Design of the Year and Person of the Year, two other coveted categories. And the top winners will be crowned at the New York Auto Show on Wednesday, March 27 at the opening of the show.
Until then, everyone will have to keep guessing and questioning.