In a celebration of inclusivity and progress, the 2023 Diversity Volume Leadership Awards shined a spotlight on manufacturers reaching out to the burgeoning community of minority vehicle buyers, and outperforming competitors in the process.
Describing the event, Marc Bland, Chief Diversity Officer for S&P Global, explained: “The DVLs were created by me and my brother in the business, Damon Lester, Vice-Chair of NAMAD, approximately 10 years ago. What we realized was there was a need in the auto industry to focus on diverse consumers including African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics. So, we created an award show that would highlight models that sold the most new vehicle units to what we call ‘The Future Majority.’”
Embracing the theme of "The Future Majority," the awards acknowledged the forthcoming shift predicted by the U.S. Census: minorities becoming the majority by 2045.
This year's winners recognize 22 brands, determined by data from the US Census and S&P Global Mobility, that exemplify the vitality of diversity in the automotive landscape.
Sub-Compact Segment: Kia Rio
Compact Segment: Toyota Corolla
Mid-Size Segment: Toyota Camry
Traditional Full-Size Segment: Dodge Charger
Lower to Upper Mid-Size SUV Segment: Toyota Highlander
Subcompact Utility and Utility Plus Segment: Honda HR-V
Compact CUV and SUV Segment: Toyota RAV4
Compact and Mid-Size Sport Segment: Dodge Challenger
Mid-Size Van Segment: Honda Odyssey
Non-Luxury Compact to One-Ton Van Segment: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Compact to Mid-Size Pickup Segment: Toyota Tacoma
Three-Quarter to One-Ton Pickup Truck Segment: Chevrolet Silverado
Half-Ton Pickup Segment: Chevrolet Silverado
Full-Size SUV Segment: Chevrolet Tahoe
Top Battery Electric Vehicle Segment (new this year!): Chevrolet Bolt
Subcompact Segment: Acura Integra
Luxury Compact Segment: Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Mid-Size Luxury Segment: Lexus ES
Full Size Luxury Segment: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Luxury Exotic, Sport & Prestige Full Size Segment: Chevrolet Corvette
Luxury Traditional Compact Utility Segment: Audi Q3
Luxury Compact CUV Segment: Lexus NX
Mid-Size Luxury CUV Segment: Lexus RX
Mid-Size Luxury SUV Segment: Porsche Cayenne
Full-Size Luxury SUV Segment: BMW X7
Top Overall Future Majority Luxury Vehicle: Lexus RX
The winner of the most coveted award of the evening, The Top Overall Future Majority Vehicle, went to the Toyota RAV4 (racking up Toyota’s total to 6 awards from the event).