- AUTOBACS offers a main sponsorship to the M-1 Grand Prix, an annual comedian competition, since its beginning in 2001.
- M-1 Grand Prix has been widely recognized as a gateway to success for young comedians as any team, either professional or amateur under 10 years since formation, can enter the competition. It has become increasingly popular in Japan as one of the biggest year-end TV shows. For the 2010 competition, a record 4,835 teams have entered.
