A' Design Award opens 2026 call for vehicle parts and accessories entries

A' Design Award & Competition has opened nominations for its 2026 Vehicle Parts, Auto Accessories and Care Products Design Awards, with entries due Sept. 30, 2026 and results set for May 1, 2027. The competition targets designers, manufacturers and automotive innovators worldwide and offers winners a package of publicity and recognition benefits.

Why it matters: - The competition gives automotive accessory and aftermarket brands a global platform to validate product design and reach media and industry audiences. - Winners receive promotional tools that can help turn design recognition into market visibility and sales support. - The awards focus on products that affect vehicle functionality, comfort, maintenance, personalization and long-term performance.

What happened: - A' Design Award & Competition opened entries for the A' International Vehicle Parts, Auto Accessories and Care Products Design Awards 2026. - The call is open to automotive designers, manufacturers, engineers, studios, brands, consultants, distributors, customization experts, agencies and R&D firms worldwide. - Eligible work includes vehicle accessories, auto parts and car care products developed within the last 10 years. - The entry deadline is Sept. 30, 2026. - Results will be announced May 1, 2027.

The details: - The competition uses a two-phase process that starts with a complimentary preliminary evaluation. - Projects that pass the preliminaries can move on to nomination, which carries a nominal fee. - Entries are judged anonymously by an international jury of more than 300 academics, automotive engineers, industrial designers, aftermarket specialists and mobility professionals. - Evaluation is based on innovation, functionality, product quality and design excellence. - Eligible categories include car seat covers, GPS systems, roof racks, floor mats, steering wheel covers, car audio, dash cams, air fresheners and more. - Category information is available in the award description. - Participants can register through the entry page.

Between the lines: - The awards are designed to reward both consumer-facing accessories and technical aftermarket products, which broadens the field beyond traditional industrial design contests. - The anonymous jury and multi-disciplinary panel are meant to reinforce the idea that performance and utility matter as much as appearance. - The prize package is built around publicity, with press kits, interviews, logo usage rights, yearbook inclusion, exhibitions in Italy and rankings-platform placement. - The program also appears aimed at creating a pipeline from submission to publicity, since winners get press materials prepared and distributed to accredited media.

What's next: - Designers and brands can submit entries before the September deadline. - Projects that advance through preliminaries can proceed to nomination and awards consideration. - Laureates in the professional edition will receive the A' Design Prize, plus media and promotional support. - Past winners are available at the winners archive.

The bottom line: - A' Design Award is using its 2026 vehicle accessories contest to position automotive product design as both a creative discipline and a commercial growth channel.