"New" Status
Cars nominated in all categories must be "all new" or "significantly new”. To be considered, there can be no more than two years between the launch of the car on the first major market and the second major market. Major markets are Europe, USA, China, India, Japan, Korea and Latin America (including Mexico).Variations on existing models are not sufficient for eligibility except performance variants as noted in Individual Category Requirements below.
Vehicle Availability
Eligible vehicles must be “on sale” in at least two major markets and on at least two separate continents within the period January 1, 2026 and March 19, 2027."On-sale" date means the date it is physically for sale or lease and available at a dealership for delivery to customers. Simply being available for advance order-taking is not considered to be "on-sale."
World Car of the Year
Vehicles eligible for World Car of the Year must be produced in volumes of at least 10,000 units/year, must be priced below the luxury-car level in their primary markets, and must be “on-sale” in at least two major markets (China, Europe, India, Japan, Korea, Latin America, USA) on at least two separate continents within the period January 1, 2026 and March 19, 2027.World Urban Car
Vehicles eligible for World Urban Car must be produced in volumes of at least 5,000 units/year and must be “on-sale” in at least two major markets (China, Europe, India, Japan, Korea, Latin America, USA) on at least two separate continents within the period January 1, 2026 and March 19, 2027.Vehicles must be a maximum of 4.25 meters in overall length and be approved for operation on public roads.
World Luxury Car
Vehicles eligible for World Luxury Car must be produced in volumes of at least 5,000 units/year, must be priced at the luxury-car level in their primary markets, and must be “on-sale” in at least two major markets (China, Europe, India, Japan, Korea, Latin America, USA) on at least two separate continents within the period January 1, 2026 and March 19, 2027.World Performance Car
Vehicles eligible for World Performance Car must be produced in volumes of at least 1,000 units/year, must be overtly performance-focused in overall character, and must be “on-sale" in at least two major markets (China, Europe, India, Japan, Korea, Latin America, USA) on at least two separate continents within the period January 1, 2026 and March 19, 2027. Substantially revised variations of existing models, specifically designed to enhance overall performance characteristics, may be eligible, at the discretion of the organizers.World Car Design of the Year
All eligible World Car Awards vehicles are automatically eligible for World Car Design of the Year.
