World Car Awards Tweaks Its Formula, Shows The Growth Of Chinese CarsForbesScotty Reiss, ContributorUpdatedTue, September 15, 2026 at 1:21 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleThe 2026 World Car Awards at the New York Auto ShowWorld Car AwardsTwenty-three years in, the World Car Awards has formed a legacy. The most powerful and recognized juried automotive awards has spotted trends as they formed, forecast design trends through its design awards and been the arbiter of shifting dominance in automotive brands.In 2027 the organization will further that role as its steering committee, design panel and 100 international jurors recognize the increase the global nature of the awards. For 2027 the jury, who each must drive the cars they vote on, includes more jurors from China than in past years to reflect the growing market of Chinese cars.But the provisional list of World Car Award eligible vehicles— the list of new or significantly redesigned cars for sale on at least two continents in two major markets during the 2027 awards season — shows that more than half are Chinese owned or built cars and SUVs. The Eligible Vehicle lists for World Performance Car and World Luxury Car also show many Chinese entries, though these lists are dominated by the stalwarts: Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Kia, Genesis, Range Rover and Jaguar, which will roll out the Type 01 in 2027.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe World Car Awards lists also show the increasing trend toward localized automotive brands; while there are many big names on the list, from Kia and Hyundai to Mazda and Mercedes-Benz, many of the models in contention for the top award are not for sale in North America, long the world's largest automotive market but now on par with China.Another first for 2027? The inclusion of a pickup truck on the list; the Nissan Frontier Pro takes that honor.HONG KONG, CHINA - JUNE 12: People visit the booth of BYD Auto at the 2025 International Automotive Supply Chain Expo (Hong Kong) at AsiaWorld-Expo on June 12, 2025 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Li Zhihua/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)Shifting Strategies Reflect A Changing MarketplaceFor much of the last decade it was tough for Chinese carmakers to earn a spot on the World Car Awards Eligible Vehicle lists thanks to limited distribution. But by building assembly plants around the globe, investing in EVs and increasing global distribution, Chinese brands like BYD, Chery, XPeng and Zeeker have not only claimed international sales, they've established a reputation.To better track with the trends in the automotive world, the World Car Awards has stepped up its schedule; the organization will kick off its season at the Paris Motor Show in October and announce its Top 10 and Top 5 contenders in January at the London International Motor Show. The pinnacle event of the year is the red-carpet awards program that will take place at the New York Auto Show on March 24th to open the show's media preview.A Zoox purpose-built electric autonomous robotaxi equipped with exterior sensors travels on a downtown street, San Francisco, California, August 20, 2026. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)A New Category Reflects The Speed Of AutomotiveEach year the World Car Awards takes account of developments of the past years and evolves its juried categories to reflect the current market. There's much that "everyone involved with World Car can be immensely proud of, but we're always looking forward," said Steve Fowler, chair of the World Car Awards steering committee. For 2027, this is no different; the organization eliminated the World Electric Car category, recognizing the redundancy in the other categories and the reduced distinction between powertrains.AdvertisementAdvertisementBut to account for innovative and monumental developments that can be both a one-off and a defining moment, the Awards has added a new category, World Car Achievement of the Year, keeping the total number of awards at seven. In addition to the car categories, the organization recognizes the World Car Person of the Year and the World Car Design of the Year, a selection of cars juried first by a panel of design leaders then voted on by World Car Awards jurors.The full timeline, as well as World Car Awards rules, are available on the organization's newly redesigned website, just another detail designed to further sharpen the view into the future of the auto world.This article was originally published on Forbes.com