Automotive Hall of Fame Unveils Class of 2026 at REVEAL
Inductees were selected for how they have influenced the automotive industry & inspired generations of engineers, leaders & enthusiasts around the world…
The global Automotive Hall of Fame (AHF) announced its Class of 2026, honoring inductees whose leadership, innovation and influence have profoundly shaped the global automotive industry, officials stated in a press release.
The Class of 2026 was first unveiled during REVEAL 2026, an exclusive reception held Feb. 7, 2026, in Naples, Florida, presented by JM Family Enterprises and hosted in partnership with the Naples Automotive Experience. The private event brought together Automotive Hall of Fame board members, industry leaders and invited guests to celebrate the announcement ahead of its public release.
The Automotive Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Inductees
The Class of 2026 includes:
- Akio Toyoda, for redefining global automotive leadership through a driver-first philosophy and restoring passion, performance and purpose to modern mobility
- Giampaolo Dallara, for pioneering engineering excellence in motorsport and founding one of the world’s most influential race car manufacturers
- Harold Goddijn, Corinne Vigreux, Peter Frans Pauwels and Pieter Geelen – The founders of TomTom – for transforming navigation technology and reshaping how the world moves
- Tom Barrett and Russ Jackson of Barrett-Jackson, for revolutionizing the collector car auction industry and elevating automotive culture on a global scale.
“Induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed in the global automotive industry, and the Class of 2026 exemplifies the vision, courage and lasting impact that honor represents,” said Sarah Cook, president of the Automotive Hall of Fame. “These inductees have not only shaped the industry in their own time, but have also inspired generations of engineers, leaders and enthusiasts around the world.”
Automotive Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
The formal Automotive Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by MEMA, will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in downtown Detroit, Michigan, at The Department at Hudson’s. The black-tie ceremony will bring together inductees, global automotive leaders, partners and guests for an evening celebrating excellence, legacy and innovation, noted the release.
“The Automotive Hall of Fame selection process is both rigorous and deeply intentional,” said Jon Husby, chair of the Automotive Hall of Fame board of directors, member of the Awards Nominations Committee and CEO of ADAC. “Each member of the Class of 2026 was chosen for their enduring contributions to mobility and their influence on the future of the automotive industry. We are proud to welcome them into this distinguished global circle.”
Automotive Hall of Fame’s Road to Induction
Following REVEAL 2026, the announcement officially launches the Automotive Hall of Fame’s Road to Induction, a months-long journey of storytelling, engagement and collaboration designed to honor each inductee’s achievements through digital content, interviews, partnerships and live activations leading up to the September ceremony.
