Europe punishes China in the awards for the best car of the year in Europe: these are the finalists

It is being a most turbulent year in Europe. At the end of last year, Brussels began a campaign to investigate possible financing by the Chinese government for the local automobile industry. An injection of capital that would alter the natural behavior of the market. After determining that Xi Jiping’s Government was not playing fair, the European Parliament approved the entry into force of a series of sanctioning measures through the application of specific tariffs on the export of vehicles from China. This commercial battle has been the central axis of the entire segment in recent months.

Europe wants to punish China, although they do not seem very concerned, although they do seem angry. Xi Jinping has ordered all its manufacturers to cut off all types of investment abroad, including Europe. A pressure measure that is part of the tense negotiations that both parties are carrying out in order to establish a middle ground. European brands have a lot at stake in this dispute. The Chinese market has become the largest automobile market in the world and China occupies a vital position in global sales. Any sanction measure would pose a serious problem for European brands.

Europe forgets about China when looking for its best car of 2025

At the moment we have not reached that extreme, but it is more than evident that China and Europe are in tension. A tension that reaches all areas of the industry, even the field of one of the most highly valued awards in the world. The Car of the Year in Europe is one of the most coveted titles by brands. It has been celebrated since 1964, with some exceptions. In the past, illustrious names have appeared as winners, with the Rover 2000 being the first to win the title. Last year, the Renault Scenic was the model that managed to win the award, beating a long list of European and Chinese rivals.

The presence of Chinese cars has been clearly increasing over recent years. In fact, this year they were also an important part of the volume of pre-candidates. However, the jury, made up of 60 members from 23 different countries, has eliminated each and every one of them along the way. The final list has just been published, the last 7 cars out of a total of 42 that aspire to victory. From now on, another 8-week testing period opens. Soon, all 2025 candidates will gather at the testing facility in Mettet, Belgium, for a final check and check. From there the jury will cast its vote and determine a single winner who will be revealed well into 2025.

As we have already said, The absence of cars from China is striking and there were several strong candidates, such as the MG3 Hybrid or the BYD Seal. Cars that are being well received by the European public. Among the seven finalists competing for the title are: Alfa Romeo Junior, CUPRA Terramar, Hyundai Inster, Renault 5, Citroën ë-C3, Dacia Duster and KIA EV3. All models have electrified versions, with the Duster being the least electrified of all. Also notable is the presence of such interesting models as the Renault 5, the KIA EV3, the Hyundai Inster and the Citroën ë-C3, all of them destined to revolutionize the European electric market.