BlackBerry and MotorTrend Announce Second Annual SDV Innovator Awards

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. and WATERLOO, ONT. — MotorTrend Group, a Warner Bros. Discovery company, in partnership with BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB), whose BlackBerry QNX technology is embedded in over 235 million vehicles worldwide, today announced a “Call for Entries” for the second annual SDV (Software-Defined Vehicle) Innovator Awards, which celebrates the pioneers, leaders, and experts who are at the forefront of the auto industry’s transformation from hardware to software.

"We are thrilled to kick off the second annual Software-Defined Vehicle Innovator Awards," MotorTrend Group Head of Editorial Ed Loh said. "The automotive industry's ongoing transformation demands recognition of those who are shaping its future through software-driven innovation. We invite automakers and automotive suppliers to submit their outstanding pioneers, leaders, and experts who are propelling this technological revolution."

“There has never been a more exciting time to be a part of the auto industry. Software has displaced hardware as the most important and valuable component that deliver an exceptional       experience. That’s why today’s automotive OEMs are laser-focused on building their SDV roadmaps, underpinned by a safe and secure software foundation,” said Neelam Sandhu, Chief Elite Customer Success Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, Head of Sustainability, at BlackBerry. “Last year’s inaugural SDV Innovator Awards program received an overwhelming response, with nominations pouring in from automakers and Tier 1 suppliers from around the globe, and this year promises to be even more remarkable as the industry continues its evolution. We look forward to again celebrating the visionary individuals who are shaping the future of mobility, and redefining how cars are designed, built, driven, and experienced through software and connected services.”

Nominations are now open for the following three SDV Innovator Award categories:

• Pioneer: This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrably broken new ground within the SDV space through research, development, and application of new automotive software.
• Leader: This award honors exceptional individuals in senior management positions who are leading teams that transform the automotive industry through the broad adoption and application of software solutions.
• Expert: This award celebrates subject matter experts within specific SDV disciplines, such as advanced driver assistance systems, digital cockpit, over-the-air updates, autonomous technology, and more.

Automakers and automotive suppliers are invited to submit their nominations by visiting MotorTrend.com/sdv-form or BlackBerry.com/sdvawards. Each nomination will undergo a diligent screening process, exclusively conducted by MotorTrend's editorial team, to identify the short list of finalists.

The nomination process will close at 11:59 pm PT on October 6, providing ample time for the industry to recognize and nominate the exceptional individuals who are driving the Software-Defined Vehicle revolution. The shortlist of finalists will be announced in November 2023. MotorTrend will then unveil the winners during a special ceremony that will take place at a private gala event in conjunction with the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) on January 9.

For information and guidelines on the second annual SDV Innovator Awards visit MotorTrend.com/sdv. To register your interest in attending the 2nd Annual SDV Innovator Awards Gala at the International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas on Jan. 9, 2024, visit BlackBerry.com/sdvawards.