India's second largest passenger car manufacturer Hyundai is known for producing highly successful models that have earned numerous accolades over the years. Adding another feather to its cap, Grand i10 hatchback has bagged the prestigious title of Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) 2014. One of the most competitive awards in the automotive industry saw the Grand i10 defeat the likes of Honda Amaze and Ford EcoSport, which also have been huge successes.
The news does not come with astonishment as South Korean firm has been acclaimed with many renowned awards in the past. Since the company's advent in domestic market, innumerable recognitions, from Autocar to NDTV Car and Bike, Apollo Tyre Auto Survey, Top Gear India and CNBC Overdrive, have been presented to its range of automobiles. The eminent European New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) recently rewarded Hyundai i20 a five star rating in safety features.
Hyundai Grand i10 was launched in September, 2013, and since its inception, the company claims to have sold over 30000 units of the car across the country. And at present too, the firm's dealerships, nationwide, are swamped with pre-bookings of Grand i10. The figures are highly impressive and Grand i10 continues to elate its manufacturer with an unending success spree.
Reasons that have led to the incredible success of this hatchback are its commodious interiors, modish design, safety features of dual airbag and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), superior performance on road and utmost convenience while driving. Hyundai's Kappa petrol engine has been appreciated globally and the same is incorporated in Grand i10. Along with this, the new concept of U2 diesel mill of 1.1-litre was introduced by Hyundai in this car. Undoubtedly, it has helped in delivering an efficient on-road performance and rendering excellent fuel-economy figures.
Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) award is regarded the most illustrious and influential accolade among domestic car manufacturers. The prominence of this gala event is global and the award stands alongside international recognitions like European Car of the Year, American Car of the Year and Japanese Car of the Year. This fiesta also saw the likes of BMW 1 Series, Mahindra Verito Vibe, Chevrolet Enjoy, Nissan Terrano, Mercedes-Benz GL350 and Skoda Octavia, all competing in their respective segments. Last year it was presented to Renault Duster and prior to that, a model from legendary Maruti Suzuki took the award home.
Seemingly, innovators of Hyundai will be exuberant to have added another honour in their vast list and carry on the legacy of the company. Getting such a coveted honour will surely escalate the market presence of Hyundai in India as it has just proposed to unveil the Grand i10 based sedan in 2014. The sedan will mark the company's arrival in entry-level sedan segment, which, according to experts, is incessantly becoming an optimal segment, to lure domestic buyers. The segment is cramped with stiff competition and ICOTY award will somehow aid Hyundai to create a platform for its new model.
