The shortlist for the International Van of the Year 2026 Award has been revealed with two new names amongst the contenders.
A total of nine new light commercial vehicles are in contention for the most prestigious prize in the light commercial vehicle industry.
Amongst well known names like Ford, Volkswagen and MAN are brand new names in the LCV market, Farizon Auto and Kia.
Electric vas dominate the shortlist with the Farizon SV and the Kia PV5 Cargo joining the Ford E-Transit Courier, Ford E-Transit (Long Range) and the Volkswagen e-Transporter which is jointly nominated alongside the regular Volkswagen Transporter.
“We’re in a very interesting period in our sector, with new players coming into the marketplace, with fresh thinking, creating new segments, and offering new solutions, all with emission free technologies. These new brands are most welcome, and to have them in the contest alongside household names in the trade, makes our job when voting even more difficult,” Jarlath Sweeney, chairman, IVOTY.
Sweeney added: “They all meet the main criteria for the International Van of the Year Award which includes the vehicles’ contribution to the efficiency, safety, sustainability and environmental standards of the light commercial vehicle sector. To be eligible, the vehicle must be new, in series production by the end of the year in which it receives the award, and present a significant technological innovation. The election process is adjudicated independently.”
The official announcement and presentation of both the IVOTY 2026 and the International Pick-up Award 2026 trophies, which includes models from Ford, Ineos and Maxus, will take place at Solutrans 2025 at EurExpo, Lyon, France on Wednesday 19 November.
• Farizon SV
• Ford E-Transit Courier
• Ford E-Transit (Long Range)
• Ford Transit Connect PHEV
• Kia PV5
• Volkswagen Transporter / Volkswagen E-Transporter
