The new generation Verna, Hyundai Motor Co.’s compact sedan, won the 2018 Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) award, beating other contenders including Honda Jazz, Jeep Compass, Maruti Dzire, Honda WR-V, and Tata Nexon, South Korea’s largest carmaker said on Friday.

The ICOTY award is given to a car model after a group of jury members including journalists from leading automobile magazines in India review factors such as price, fuel-efficiency, design, comfort, safety, driving performance, practicality, technical innovation, value for money, and suitability for Indian driving conditions.

Hyundai Motor’s new Verna has been highly sought in India, selling more than 15,000 units in 40 days since its release in August.

Hyundai Motor, meanwhile, was presented five awards in total - for models i10 in 2008, Grand i10 in 2014, Elite i20 in 2015, Creta in 2016, and Verna in 2018 - becoming a car brand to win most number of honors.

By Lee Seung-hoon and Lee Eun-joo

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