Analysis
As every year, choosing a Car of the Year meant comparing very different vehicles. In 2026, the finalists were the Citroën C5 Aircross, Dacia Bigster, Fiat Grande Panda, Kia EV4, Mercedes CLA, Renault 4, and Skoda Elroq. As every year, my final choice is the result of entirely personal preferences, which I will explain here.
Nomination
Citroën is strengthening its customer-centered strategy by appointing Anne Fenninger to the newly created position of Head of Global Customer Satisfaction. This role, reporting directly to Xavier Chardon, Citroën’s brand CEO, illustrates the manufacturer's commitment to placing customer experience at the center of its priorities.
Brand
On Monday, November 3, Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa, visiting France, met with representatives of the five leading French trade unions (CFE-CGC, FO, CFDT, CFTC, and CGT), alongside Xavier Chéreau, Director of Human Resources. The meeting was considered important in reaffirming France's place in the group, at a time when Stellantis' center of gravity has shifted to the United States.
Brand
During his promotional tour in France for his memoirs, “Un pilote dans la tempête” (A Pilot in the Storm), Carlos Tavares confidently announced that the salary of a young French engineer was equivalent to that of the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron. In reality, it is three times less than the figure put forward.
