– Only Manufacturer to win 5 ICOTY Awards
– 5th Generation VERNA has over 26,000 booking within 3 months – Segment Leader
-Mid Size Sedan Segment Grew by 30% after Next Gen VERNA Launch
– Next Gen VERNA Offers Futuristic Design, Superior Dynamics, High Safety, New Age Technology and Advanced Features
-Next Gen VERNA is the only sedan to bag highest export order of 10,500 unit from middle east market
New Delhi, December 14, 2017: Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL), the country’s second largest car manufacturer and the number one car exporter since inception has won the most coveted Indian Car of the Year 2018 (ICOTY) award for the Next Gen VERNA. As the most loved and trusted car manufacturer in India, Hyundai Motor India has won 5 ICOTY Awards for its products: VERNA, CRETA, ELITE i20, GRAND i10 and i10 for the year 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2008 respectively.
The ICOTY award is adjudged by a diverse group of 18 Jurors of all the prominent automotive publications in the country: Jury Members: Bob Rupani (Chairman- ICOTY), Yogendra Pratap (Auto Today), Rahul Ghosh (Auto Today), Dhruv Behl (autoX), Ishan Raghava (autoX), Girish Karkera (BBC Top Gear India), Agasti Kaulgi (BBC Top Gear India), Aspi Bhathena (Car India), Sarmad Kadiri (Car India), Sirish Chandran (evo India), Aninda Sardar (evo India), Pablo Chaterji (Man’s World), Kartik Ware (Motoring World), Raunak Ajinkya (Motoring World), Rohit Paradkar (OVERDRIVE), Muralidhar Swaminathan (The Hindu Business Line), Vikrant Singh (CarWale, BikeWale and CarTrade) and Hani Musthafa (Flywheel).
Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Y K Koo, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India Limited said, “We are honoured to win the most prestigious automotive award – ‘Indian Car of the Year 2018’ for our Make-in-India, Made-for-the-World product- Next Gen VERNA. The 5th generation Next Gen VERNA is a true expression of a Superior Sedan crafted with perfection and excellence in Engineering with highest levels of refinement. Launched in August 2017, the Next Gen VERNA has become a trendsetter in the Indian market and heralded a new chapter in Hyundai’s success story across the world. Winning the 5th ICOTY award symbolizes the trust and faith of customers in Hyundai brand. We thank all our Customers, Partners, Media and Jurors for choosing Next Gen VERNA as the Indian Car of the Year 2018 and made Hyundai the Most Loved and Trusted car manufacturer.”
Congratulating the winners, Dr. Raghupati Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director, JK Tyre & Industries Limited said, “The prestigious ICOTY and IMOTY awards have become synonymous with excellence in the Indian automobile industry, honoring cars and bikes for now for over a decade. Every year these coveted awards recognize the best in class efforts in engineering, design, cost-effectiveness, adaptability to local conditions and above all customer satisfaction. As the proud associate of these awards since their inception in 2005, JK Tyre has always endeavored to take these awards beyond mere plaudits to a true recognition of merit.
I congratulate Hyundai Verna and KTM 390 Duke for being recognized as the Indian Car of the Year 2018 and Indian Motorcycle of the year 2018. Their commendable efforts bring to the customer best-in-class cars and motorcycles, which have been selected by automobile experts who constitute the esteemed jury after a critical scrutiny. I would also like to congratulate all contenders for putting their sincere effort in producing these remarkable vehicles.”
Congratulating the winning car Next Gen VERNA Mr. Bob Rupani, Founder Member ICOTY & Chairman of the Jury 2009, 2013, and 2015 to 2018, Indian Car of the Year 2018 said, “Congratulations to the Hyundai Verna for becoming the Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY). It won by the narrowest of margins ever. Yes, in the closest contest we have still witnessed at an ICOTY Jury Voting Round, it edged past its nearest rival by just 1 point ! In all 18 jury members cast their votes and the fact that the Hyundai VERNA emerged winner after such a close fight, is a testimony to its technical strengths and impressive design.”
Hyundai is a New Age brand and under the Modern Premium brand direction, Next Gen VERNA has redefined the Sedan segment. The Next Gen VERNA has received over 26,000 bookings and 200,000 enquiries in India and Over 10,500 Units of order from global markets. The Next Gen VERNA is engineered to deliver excellence in all core areas of Styling, Performance, Technology, Safety and Ride & Handling creating a new benchmark in the sedan segment.
About HMIL
Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company (HMC). HMIL is the second largest car manufacturer and the number one car exporter since inception in India. It currently has nine car models across segments – EON, GRAND i10, ELITE i20, ACTIVE i20, XCENT, VERNA, ELANTRA, CRETA & TUCSON. HMIL’s fully integrated state-of-the-art manufacturing plant near Chennai boasts advanced production, quality and testing capabilities.
