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The Japan Automobile Journalists Association and the Japan Car of the Year Executive Committee officially announced 33 nominated vehicles for "Japan Car of the Year 2026-2027" on October 27. The list includes 12 domestically produced vehicles and 21 imported models, among which Hyundai Motor's hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, "The All New NEXO," has drawn attention by making the cut.
Since its full entry into Japan's passenger hydrogen fuel cell vehicle market in April this year, The All New NEXO has stood out in the taxi industries of Tokyo and Aichi Prefecture, which are known for their harsh driving conditions and strict adoption criteria. From April to August, it recorded a cumulative market share of 11% in the local passenger FCEV market. The vehicle features an improved fuel cell system with a rated output of 94kW and a significantly reinforced high-voltage battery of 80kW, enhancing operational reliability. In particular, its driving range per refueling reaches 1,014km under Japan's WLTC certification standards, demonstrating overwhelming efficiency as a commercial vehicle.
Active hydrogen mobility promotion policies and subsidy support from the Japanese government and Tokyo Metropolis are also strongly backing the local establishment of the NEXO. Tokyo Metropolis is executing large-scale subsidies with the goal of deploying 600 hydrogen taxis by 2030, while Aichi Prefecture also provides per-vehicle subsidies and fuel cost support. Hyundai Motor is driving sales by concurrently conducting local marketing, such as providing official vehicles for the Asian Games.
"Japan Car of the Year 2026-2027" targets passenger cars announced or launched between November 1, 2025, and October 31, 2026. Following the first round of selection, a ceremony to determine the top 10 "10 Best Cars" will be held on November 2, and the final "Car of the Year" will be decided through a final selection meeting on December 3. Attention is focused on whether the NEXO, which has proven its product competitiveness in Japan's demanding commercial market, will secure a spot among the final 10.
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*This content was translated by AI.View Original
