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Indian Car of the Year 2026 (ICOTY) – Maruti
Suzuki Victoris
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Indian Motorcycle of the Year 2026 (IMOTY) –
TVS Apache RTX 300
Dr. Raghupati Singhania, CMD, JK Tyre & Industries and
jury members presented the Indian Car of the Year 2026 Awards
New Delhi,
December 19, 2025 : The ICOTY and IMOTY Awards 2026,
presented by JK Tyre, the long-standing promoter of India’s most
respected automotive awards, took centre stage in New Delhi at one of the
industry’s most anticipated evenings. Widely regarded as the highest benchmarks
of credibility and distinction in the Indian automotive sector, the ICOTY
Awards, now in their 21st year, and the IMOTY Awards, in their 19th year,
recognized vehicles that have most significantly shaped and advanced the
nation’s mobility landscape over the past year.
Dr. Raghupati
Singhania, Chairman and Managing Director, JK Tyre & Industries, along
with ICOTY Chairman Pablo Chaterji, IMOTY Chairman Kartik Ware and the jury,
presented the awards to the winners in the presence of prominent industry
leaders and members of the automotive fraternity.
The Maruti
Suzuki Victoris has been named Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY)
2026, with the TVS Apache RTX 300 taking top honours as
the Indian Motorcycle of the Year (IMOTY) 2026.
Dr. Raghupati
Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director, JK Tyre & Industries Limited,
said, “The evolution of India’s automotive industry is gaining
remarkable transition, as the focus shifts toward sustainable technologies,
intelligent mobility and stronger engineering capabilities. ICOTY and IMOTY
recognises the machines that carry this vision into reality. JK Tyre is
honoured to stand with a platform that rewards forward-looking innovation. What
we have seen this year signals an industry preparing thoughtfully and
confidently for the mobility of tomorrow.”
The jury also
announced Volkswagen Golf GTI as the winner of the Premium
Car Award 2026, a category introduced in recognition of the growing
premiumisation of India’s automotive industry. Mahindra XEV 9e emerged
as the sixth recipient of the Green Car Award 2026, a category
instituted to spotlight the rising prominence of electric mobility in the
country.
Proudly presented
by JK Tyre since their inception, the ICOTY and IMOTY Awards are evaluated by a
distinguished 27-member jury comprising senior automotive journalists from
India’s most respected publications with a cumulative experience of over 300
years. Inspired by globally renowned awards such as the World Car Awards,
American Car of the Year and the European Car of the Year, each shortlisted car
and motorcycle is assessed through an extensive process covering design,
engineering, safety, performance, comfort, efficiency, technology, value and
overall suitability for Indian conditions. This rigorous methodology continues
to uphold ICOTY and IMOTY as the most trusted and authoritative recognitions of
automotive excellence in the country.
Mr. Pablo
Chaterji, Chairman, ICOTY, said, “There are many automotive awards
in the country, and each has its undoubted merits. Ever since the ICOTY award
was instituted, however, it has taken its place at the top of the podium, in no
small part due to the support of JK Tyre. This is because the jury consists of
the finest automotive journalists in the country, with a combined reviewing
track record of over 300 years. The award process is thoroughly vetted by our
knowledge partner, Deloitte, and is thus scrupulously fair and transparent.
Every OEM is also clear that this award - and its associated awards, IMOTY,
Premium Car and Green Car - is the one that matters most, and I think it would
not be out of place to say that cars in India have become better in part
because OEMs want to win ICOTY, and make every effort to manufacture vehicles
that are worthy of that title.”
Mr. Kartik Ware,
Chairman, IMOTY, said, “IMOTY 2026 has been as diverse and
accomplished as possible, with a number of firsts, including the first-ever
electric motorcycle in the finalists. To celebrate the best motorcycle from
among a lineup of such fantastic machines is not an easy task, but the IMOTY
jury is equal to it - a big thank you to each and every one of them, old and
new. Of course, due credit must also be given to our partner in this
spectacular journey, JK Tyre, for its constant and unwavering support. All of
these attributes make IMOTY the 17-year-old institution it has become, and the
most cherished two-wheeler award in India. Here's to many more!”
On winning the
ICOTY 2026 Award, Mr. Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO,
Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “We are honoured to receive the
‘Indian Car of the Year 2026’ award for VICTORIS. This SUV was designed to
provide all possible features to today’s new-age customers. It brings together
style, technology, safety, and a host of smart innovations. With the strong
customer pull and now the coveted ICOTY award, VICTORIS lives up to its promise
of ‘Got It All’. We are grateful to the ICOTY jury for this prestigious
recognition.”
On winning the
IMOTY 2026 Award, Mr. Vimal Sumbly, Head Business - Premium, TVS Motor
Company, said, “Being recognised with the JK Tyre’s Indian Motorcycle of
the Year award 2026 (IMOTY). This honour reflects a performance legacy shaped
by over 40 years of racing excellence and 35 years of rally experience, where
every insight has been earned through real-world competition. As TVS Apache
completes 20 years as a symbol of racing DNA, innovation, and rider trust, the
TVS Apache RTX represents our bold vision for the future creating and leading
the Rally Touring Extreme segment. Designed, engineered, and made in India for
the world, TVS Apache RTX reinforces our belief that world-class motorcycles
can originate in India and compete with the very best globally.”
On winning the
Premium Car Award, Mr. Nitin Kohli, Brand Director,
Volkswagen India, said, “Winning the Premium Car of the Year award
for the Golf GTI is truly special. The GTI is an icon with a 50-year legacy,
and seeing it resonate so strongly with Indian enthusiasts has been incredibly
rewarding. What began as a limited allocation quickly turned into overwhelming
demand, reaffirming that the Golf GTI is more than just a car; it’s a
collector’s item, and a symbol of pure driving passion. We thank the ICOTY jury
for this recognition and our customers for believing in the GTI and its
enduring legacy.”
On winning the
Green Car Award, Mr. Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO –
Automotive Business, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. & Executive Director,
Mahindra Electric Automobile Ltd., said, “We would like to
thank the esteemed ICOTY 2026 jury for honouring the Mahindra XEV 9e with the
Green Car of the Year award. This award validates the global benchmarks of
design, engineering and manufacturing excellence that underpin Mahindra’s
Electric Origin vision. More importantly, it reinforces the XEV 9e’s role in
truly Unlimiting the electric vehicle adoption in India, and by expanding what
customers can expect from an EV in everyday life. We are deeply grateful to our
customers for their trust and belief; your confidence continues to inspire us
to deliver electric mobility that is aspirational, capable and uncompromising.”