Latvian Car of the Year 2027 contest draws about 30 models as electric cars gain ground

About 30 new car models are taking part in the Latvian Car of the Year 2027 contest, which selects the most important new model for the coming year in Latvia. Electric cars and vehicles built in China play an increasingly large role, raising the question of whether an electric model will win the title for the first time.

Contest organiser Māris Ozoliņš noted that the competition began in 1998, when the Audi A6 won, and said its evolution since then is plain to see.

Brands change their approach

Several manufacturers are entering differently this time. Škoda, the Czech brand that has often won the contest, decided to take part with only a fully electric model. The choice is driven by new models as well as current public interest in zero-emission cars.

Impact of the support programme

Pēteris Plaudis, head of leasing in Latvia at Citadele Leasing SIA, said a support programme began this year and demand for electric cars tripled. The programme also covers many plug-in hybrids, and several of them have been entered in the contest. In his view, self-charging hybrids are a good way to move towards electromobility, and the support has substantially boosted demand.

What comes next

A 16-member jury will choose the finalists in the coming weeks. The Car of the Year will be honoured on 10 December. Jānis Rapa, head of the transport division at Tet, answered the question of whether the winner will be electric by saying the odds are 50-50, since half of the cars are electric.

Ozoliņš recalled that last year four electric cars made the top seven, yet none won. The winner was a car that offered a complete package for €32,500.