Hundai i10 wins 'NDTV Profit Car India Award'

New Delhi, Jan 11 (UNI) In a star studded award function hosted by tv and film actor Mandira Bedi, Hyundai i10 and Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS FI won the 'Car of the Year' and 'Bike of the Year' awards respectively at the annual 'NDTV Profit Car India&Bike India Award'.

The 'ICICI-NDTV Profit Viewers Choice Awards' were bagged by 'Maruti Suzuki SX4' and 'Hero Honda Hunk' in the car and the bike category respectively at the function held here last evening.

To recognise his outstanding contribution to the Indian automobile industry, Jagdish Khattar was awarded the 'NDTV Profit-Next Gen Automotive Man of the Year' and Karun Chandok received 'Most Improved Motor Sports Driver of the Year' award for his performance in FIA GP2 series.

Top auto professionals, corporate honchos from the Indian auto industry and film star and automobile enthusiast John Abraham were present at the event, which was held on the sidelines of the 'Auto Expo 2008'.

The grand evening was a celebration of the best design, unmatched technology, style and performance in the automobile industry and honoured the best vehicles that dominated the markets in 2007.

Asked by Mandira why men address cars and bikes as 'she' like a woman, John Abraham quiped: ''Because women are the greatest creation of God and cars and bikes are the greatest creation of mankind''.

He also proclaimed his love for the speed machines like SUVs and Bikes and said, "Luxury cars are too comfortable for my lifestyle".

Mr Khattar, Managing Director of Maruti Udyog Ltd, on receiving the 'Automotive Man of the Year' award, said, ''I may feel that I have contributed something to the industry as I receive this award, but the truth is that I have been lucky to have the support of the best automotive engineers as employees and the most dynamic entrepreneurs as partners to achieve the success for Maruti. We believe that taking good care of customer need is not sufficient and taking good care of partners and employees is critical.'' Expressing his delight over receiving the 'Car of the Year' award for Hyundai i10, Managing Director of Hyundai Motor India Limited, H S Lheem, said, ''I feel honoured to receive this award and dedicate this award to our Chennai factory team and suppliers for their contribution in making this possible.'' Mr Pawan Munjal, CEO, Hero Honda Motors Ltd, while accepting the 'Bike Maker of the Year' award, said he would be back to reclaim this award next year.

Later in a panel discussion, Mr Munjal and Dr Pawan Goenka, President, Automotive Sector, Mahindra&Mahindra, agreed that the Indian auto industry is heading towards the right direction to take the challenges of the world market.

They said the industry had come forward by itself to take measures to curb 'In-house gasses' and CO2 emissions and stressed on the need of having better infrastructural facilities to accommodate the latest automotive innovations like Hybrid cars and Electric vehicles.

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