For the first time, the BYD Seal, an electric sedan from China, has reached the finalists of the World Car of the Year (WCOTY) awards, signaling a notable milestone for the brand on the global stage. The official awards site confirms this historic moment for the Chinese automaker and its bid for the top honor.
In the decisive round, the electric model faces two other contenders for the overall title: the Kia EV9 and the Volvo EX30 crossovers. An interesting point is that the Volvo EX30 is assembled in China, which means two vehicles produced by Chinese factories are vying for the WCOTY crown in the final stage. Regardless of the jury’s choice, the electric BYD model has a strong claim to a podium finish.
Meanwhile, the Kia EV9 and Volvo EX30 are also considered strong candidates for the Electric Car of the Year prize. The BMW i5 5 Series is another notable entrant in the same category, challenging them for top honors in this segment.
In the race for Premium Car of the Year, the field narrows to a duel between Mercedes-Benz with the E-Class and the EQE SUV, and BMW with the 5-Series. The Bavarian marque appears to hold the edge in some observers’ eyes for the Sports Car of the Year category, where the M2 coupe, the XM crossover, and the Ioniq 5 N are all set to compete in the final round.
The Design of the Year category features a lineup that includes the Ford Bronco, Ferrari Purosangue, and Toyota Prius, all vying to be recognized as the most striking design of the year. The judging panel, consisting of seasoned automotive journalists and experts from multiple nations, weighs aesthetics, innovation, and cohesion with the brand’s philosophy when making its decision. (Source: WCOTY jury announcements and coverage)
The winners of the WCOTY will be proclaimed at the New York Auto Show on March 27, marking a high point in the international automotive calendar for the year. The event brings together new models, bold design statements, and emerging technologies that are shaping consumer choice and industry direction. (Source: WCOTY ceremony communications)
In related news, earlier results from the European Car of the Year awards drew attention to a strong shift toward electrification. The 2024 European winner was the Renault Scenic E-Tech crossover, with the new-generation BMW 5 Series finishing in second place. Among the seven finalists, four were fully electric, underscoring the growing dominance of electric propulsion in top-tier European testing. The judging panel featured 58 automotive journalists and experts from 22 countries, reflecting a diverse set of perspectives on what defines excellence in modern motoring. (Source: European Car of the Year summaries)
Meanwhile, industry chatter continues about product rollouts and market strategy, including announcements from BAIC regarding the anticipated appearance of the large X75 crossover in Russia, a development that keeps regional markets closely watching new family models and capacity expansions. (Source: BAIC press briefings and regional coverage)