European and Japanese car makers have dominated the nominations for the 2014 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) award.
The initial list of 28 nominees includes 12 vehicles from European manufacturers and seven Japanese models alongside five from the US and four South Koreans.
Volkswagen, which has won four of the past five WCOTYs (2009 Golf, 2010 Polo, 2012 Up!, 2013 Golf), does not have a vehicle in the running this year, though VW Group has three vehicles in the running: the Audi A3, Skoda Octavia and Seat Leon.
BMW is the best-represented brand, with three models – 2 Series, 4 Series and i3 – all in the hunt for the top prize.
Ford, Hyundai, Kia and Toyota each have two cars vying for the 2014 WCOTY title.
The first round of voting for the 66 WCOTY jurors from 21 countries takes place on February 4.
That shortlist will be narrowed to a list of finalists at March’s Geneva motor show, before the winner is announced at April’s New York auto show.
2014 World Car of the Year nominees:
- Acura MDX
- Audi A3
- BMW 2 Series
- BMW 4 Series
- BMW i3
- Cadillac CTS
- Chevrolet Impala
- Citroen C4 Picasso
- Fiat 500L
- Ford EcoSport
- Ford Mondeo
- Hyundai i10
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Infiniti Q50
- Jeep Cherokee
- Kia Soul
- Kia Rondo
- Lexus IS
- Mazda 3
- Mercedes-Benz GLA
- Mini
- Opel Cascada
- Peugeot 308
- Skoda Octavia
- Seat Leon
- Subaru Forester
- Toyota RAV4
- Toyota Corolla
