Member Portal Join Now Resources
IAF Car of the Year Annual programme timeline

Programme Timeline

The IAF Car of the Year programme follows a structured annual timeline designed to support fair review, orderly administration and credible decision-making.

Submit Vehicle See FAQs
Typical Annual Flow
Nomination period
Eligibility review
Shortlist development
Evaluation and jury review
Winner announcement

About the IAF Car of the Year timeline

From nomination intake to final winner announcement, each phase serves a distinct purpose. This timeline helps manufacturers, authorised representatives, jury members and programme stakeholders understand how nominations progress through the annual cycle.

Credible automotive awards require more than public visibility or simple year-end selection. They depend on orderly nomination intake, structured eligibility checks, clear internal review milestones and an appropriate period for comparative evaluation.

For this reason, the IAF Car of the Year programme is organised around a defined annual timeline. The programme is designed to provide sufficient time for nomination submission, documentation review, shortlist preparation, jury consideration and final decision-making.

This approach helps ensure that programme outcomes are based on a disciplined process rather than accelerated or purely promotional activity. It also gives participating organisations a clearer understanding of when information may be requested and when programme decisions are typically made.

Nomination is the starting point

A submitted nomination enters the programme for review, but it does not automatically create official candidate status.

Eligibility is reviewed first

Submitted information may be checked for completeness, relevance, market readiness and general programme fit before any later-stage consideration.

Final recognition comes later

Shortlist inclusion, finalist status and winner determination are distinct later stages of the programme and are not created by nomination alone.

Annual Structure

Typical annual timeline

The programme generally operates across five main stages during the year: nomination intake, eligibility review, shortlist development, evaluation and jury review, followed by the final winner announcement.

Phase 01

March – August

Nomination Period

Nomination intake and initial submission window

During this period, manufacturers and authorised representatives may submit vehicle nominations for consideration within the programme. This is the formal intake stage of the annual cycle and serves as the main opportunity for relevant organisations to present vehicles for eligibility review.

At this stage, the programme is focused on receiving nomination information, basic vehicle details, supporting documentation and relevant contact information. The purpose is not to declare immediate candidate status, but to establish a structured basis for subsequent review.

Depending on programme administration needs, the secretariat may also request clarification or supplementary material where necessary to support later review stages.

Phase 02

September

Eligibility Review

Documentation and programme fit review

Once the main nomination period closes, submitted entries move into an eligibility review phase. This stage helps determine whether the nominated vehicle and submitted materials are appropriate for further consideration within the programme.

Eligibility review may include checks related to documentation completeness, vehicle identity, market relevance, programme suitability and the authority of the submitting organisation. In some cases, further clarification may be requested before a nomination can proceed.

This stage is important because it creates the basis for orderly shortlist development and reduces ambiguity before comparative assessment begins.

Phase 03

October

Shortlist Development

Preparation of the shortlist and candidate field

Following eligibility review, the programme may proceed to shortlist development. At this stage, the field of nominated vehicles is narrowed in accordance with programme criteria, review findings and the comparative structure of the annual edition.

The shortlist phase helps define which vehicles move forward for deeper consideration. This may include administrative validation, internal review alignment and, where relevant, preparation for further evaluation activities.

A shortlist announcement may be made during this period, depending on the programme’s communication approach for the respective edition.

Phase 04

October – November

Evaluation & Jury Review

Comparative assessment and final review activity

The autumn evaluation phase is intended to support more focused review of vehicles progressing through the programme. Depending on programme design in a given edition, this stage may involve comparative analysis, technical review, jury deliberation and other structured evaluation activity.

Where relevant and feasible, vehicle availability discussions may also take place during or around this period. However, testing or evaluation-related logistics are not assumed at the initial nomination stage and are generally more appropriate only after shortlist development.

This phase is where the programme moves from intake and validation into more substantive judgement, helping identify the most balanced and credible vehicle outcome for the annual edition.

Phase 05

December

Winner Announcement

Final decision and public recognition

The final phase of the annual cycle is the winner announcement. By this point, the programme will typically have completed its core review and decision pathway for the year.

Announcing the winner in December supports a clear year-end conclusion to the programme, aligns with broader industry reflection on the automotive year and provides a strong closing milestone for public communication.

Depending on programme development, this stage may also include publication of finalists, official recognition notes, supporting communications and transition into the next annual edition.

Considerations and Clarifications

A published annual timeline supports transparency, but it should not be interpreted as automatic progression for every nomination. Entry into the programme and advancement within the programme are separate matters.

  • A nomination does not automatically become an official candidate.
  • Eligibility review may result in requests for additional clarification.
  • Shortlist inclusion is a later-stage programme decision, not a submission outcome.
  • Finalist and winner outcomes are determined only after the relevant review phases are complete.

Why this structure supports credibility

A defined annual cycle helps separate intake, review and recognition. This improves programme clarity, strengthens stakeholder confidence and supports better governance discipline.

In practice, it allows the programme to manage submissions responsibly, communicate milestones clearly and avoid confusion between nomination, evaluation and award recognition.

Why participants benefit from it

For manufacturers and authorised representatives, a visible timeline provides better planning certainty. It helps participating organisations understand when nominations are expected, when review activity is likely to occur and when public programme milestones may take place.

This also creates a more orderly relationship between programme administration and nominated organisations throughout the annual award cycle.

Timeline summary at a glance

March – August
Nomination Period
September
Eligibility Review
October
Shortlist Development
October – November
Evaluation & Jury Review
December
Winner Announcement

One of the most considered and meaningful automotive awards

Manufacturers and authorised representatives who believe their vehicles represent a strong and well-rounded contribution to the industry are encouraged to take part in the programme. Submitting a nomination is the first step in entering a structured and credible evaluation process that aims to recognise truly complete automotive achievements.

Submit a Vehicle

Explore the programme

About Car of the Year

Purpose and scope of the programme.
Eligibility & Rules

Submission, candidate status and programme conditions.
Jury & Voting

Evaluation structure, voting and decision safeguards.
Evaluation Criteria

Weighted scoring, definitions, and evaluation structure.

Transparency & Governance

Oversight mechanisms and integrity safeguards.

Back to overview

Return to the main programme page.

IAF’s Global Member Network

From regional OEMs to global tech pioneers, IAF unites a diverse community committed to shaping tomorrow’s mobility.

  • Active global outreach across key mobility regions
  • Strategic onboarding of founding corporate & expert members
  • Monthly roundtables, knowledge-sharing & draft consultations
  • Early-stage collaborations with research & policy networks

…and many more benefits designed to amplify your impact in the evolving mobility ecosystem.

Join the Federation
Explore Network

Join Us in Shaping the Future of Global Mobility

Be part of a powerful movement driving safer, smarter, and more sustainable transportation systems worldwide. Connect with leaders, influence policies, and co-create the automotive innovations of tomorrow with the International Automotive Federation.

Become a Member Explore Membership