The names of those selected are permanently enshrined on plaques located in the Howard County Automotive Heritage Hall of Fame at the Kokomo Automotive Museum. Induction into the hall of fame is the greatest single honor bestowed on individuals and is reserved for those who have made a dramatic impact on the development of the automobile or the automotive industry. Individuals can be nominated from the following industry categories: Automobile Clubs, Associations, Advertisers, Car and Truck Dealers/Distributors, Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, Automotive Service, Automotive Parts Manufacturers, Inventors, Engineers, Educators, Trucking and Racing.

Nominees for induction should meet many, but not necessarily all of the following general criteria:

• Have made a meaningful contribution to the development of the automobile or the automotive industry.
• Have achieved success in their particular field of automotive endeavor as exemplified by positions of leadership, awards and honors, patents, etc.
• Be recognized as innovative, generally characterized by the "invention" of products, ideas, or concepts.
• have made contributions outside the automotive industry, exemplified through community, educational, philanthropic, or government activities.
• Have a longstanding affiliation with the automotive industry.
• Be of high moral character.