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2026 PROGRAM OPENING SOON

For the 15th year, Automotive News will be selecting a class of 40 Under 40 in automotive retailing. The nomination window opens May 25, 2026. 

We will profile the honorees in the November 9 issue of Automotive News. If you know someone under the age of 40 who is making a big impact at a new-car dealership in the U.S., we want to know about them! 

Open to U.S.-based talent working for any new-car dealership. To qualify, candidates should be based in the U.S. and be born after November 9, 1986. Self-nominations are welcome.

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Once selected, honorees will be notified in September and announced on the November 9, 2026 print and online issues of Automotive News. To view all past honorees, please visit www.autonews.com/awards/retail-40-under-40.

Questions? Visit the criteria and FAQs sections. If your question isn't answered, please contact the Automotive News awards team.

TIMELINE

 
2026 timeline 

Nomination form opens: Monday, May 25, 2026
Nomination form closes: Monday, August 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST

 

CRITERIA

 

Eligibility

The program is open to employees currently working in new-car dealerships operating within the U.S. auto retail industry. Candidates must be based in the U.S. and born after November 9, 1986.
 

Requirements

In the Nomination Form, the applicant will be asked to:

  • Provide the nominee's current title and dealership information.
  • Share the nominee's email address and phone number. 
  • Outline the nominee's current role, previous experience and performance, and contributions to the dealership industry.
  • Detail two key achievements that demonstrate the nominee's impact within their dealerships.
  • Highlight career goals and interests, plus share any college/university education received.​​​ 
  • Provide references from two dealership supervisors with whom the nominee has worked closely with during their auto retail career.
  • Provide proof of age. 

 

Please note: Past Automotive News 40 Under 40 honorees, regardless of title or company, are not eligible for the future 40 Under 40 program. 

All information included should be publishable by the time the winners are announced in November 2026. Any confidential information should be noted as “not for public” or “off the record.”

Only ONE Nomination Form is needed per nominee. Repeat forms for the same candidate will be removed.

 

FAQs

High achievers that are based in the U.S. and currently work in a new-car dealership are eligible to apply or be nominated for this program.

Yes, candidates must have been born after November 9, 1986, to be eligible for the 2026 40 Under 40 program.

Submitted applications will be reviewed and judged by a group of Automotive News editors and reporters from the auto retail team.

Unfortunately, once you have submitted your application, you will not be able to log in to edit the form. If there is factual information that is incorrect or that has been updated, please contact the awards team to request a change.

Please note that changes to the application cannot be made once the final deadline has passed and judging has started.

Winners will be notified in September 2026 and published on AutoNews.com and in an Automotive News print issue in November 2026.

Our awards team is here to help with any technical issues you might experience. Please email and include your application code in your email message.

Please note that your account on AutoNews.com is different from the account you create for the 40 Under 40 program and any other award programs for Automotive News Group. When you click "Enter now" please make sure to register a new account (unless you have submitted to our awards before and already have one). If you still experience any issues logging in, please email Nuha Mosa at nuha.mosa@autonews.com.

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CONTACT US

 

Questions?

For award inquiries, contact Nuha Mosa at nuha.mosa@autonews.com.

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