Top Five Finalists Revealed for the 2022 ‘World Car Person of the Year’ Award.
2022 WORLD CAR PERSON OF THE YEAR – TOP FIVE FINALISTS ANNOUNCED.
The World Car Awards five candidates for the 2022 World Car Person of the Year were announced on Friday, January 21st 2022.
To be eligible, award candidates must have made a significant contribution to the global automotive industry with global repercussions during the period January 1 to December 31, 2021 (not limited to one market or region). That contribution could include a significant impact to their brand or company, for example, or a significant safety, engineering, design or technical advancement or other significant benefit for the consumer.
This year’s top five finalists represent the very best and most accomplished men and women in the industry, in very personal and different ways. Here they are, in alphabetical order:
Tata’s Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director, Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors, has managed a remarkable turnaround for his brand in a highly challenging year. His electrification strategy is significant on an international scale, his products have been widely lauded for their advances in design and technology.
Hyundai Motor Group’s Executive Vice President for Design and Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke has launched a number of highly innovative new models, including the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Genesis GV60 and Kia EV6. His restomod Pony and Grandeur models paid homage to the great and often neglected automotive heritage of Korea.
As creators and executive producers of the Netflix’s Formula 1 Drive to Survive format, James Gay-Rees and Paul Martin – as a team – have done invaluable work to popularize Formula One and motorsports on a global scale.
Corvette’s Executive Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter has overseen the launch of an entirely re-engineered, mid-engine Corvette, a vehicle that captures the imagination of enthusiasts globally like few others. Upcoming variations like the Z06 and a hybridised all-wheel drive version will push the proverbial envelope further.
Ford F-150 Lightning Chief Engineer Linda Zhang has led the development of the fully electric Ford F-150, a vehicle seen as pivotal in winning over truck buyers to electrification. The vehicle is brimming with new ideas and expected to act as a “game changer” for Ford and the entire industry.
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Previous World Car Person of the Year recipients were Akio Toyoda, President and CEO, Toyota Motor Corporation (2021), Carlos Tavares, CEO of PSA Group (2020), the late Sergio Marchionne, CEO, FCA; Chairman, CNH Industrial; and Chairman and CEO, Ferrari (2019) and Håkan Samuelsson, President and CEO, Volvo Car Group (2018).
The World Car Person of the Year award is just one of seven awards handed out annually by the World Car Awards. The awards were inaugurated in 2003, and officially launched in January 2004, to reflect the reality of the global marketplace, as well as to recognize, reward and inspire excellence, leadership and innovation in a rapidly changing automotive industry.
The World Car Awards program would not be possible without the support of our official partners: AITASTIC Research & Consult, BREMBO, the NEW YORK International Auto Show, KPMG and Newspress – our official media partner. Thank you to our partners.
Photo above; Linda Chang (Ford Motor Company).
