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ABU DHABI / Emirates Business
Hyundai models have gained popularity in all their segments in several Middle East markets. Hyundai Elantra, has been awarded the best Small Sedan at the prestigious Middle East Car of the Year (MECOTY) awards for 2016 awards at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
The 3rd edition, the MECOTY is the biggest, most coveted award of the regional automotive industry. The award function integrates a complex yet transparent nomination and scoring methodology which is developed, tested and implemented by the most experienced ‘motoring minds’ of the industry.
The automotive industry has been on a high and has been considered as one of the emerging markets’ across the globe. The share of global sales will rise from 50% in 2012 to 60% by 2020, while their share of global profits is also set to rise by 10% according to carmudi.com.
Jin (James) Kim, Vice-President and Head of Hyundai Africa and Middle East stated that the automotive company is exultant over being one of the most trusted car brands of the region, “Hyundai due to its high stands for its quality, service and value has been customers’ first choice. We are enthralled to get this honour, which we have received exclusively for cars sold in the Middle East.â€
Twelve leading motoring writers are in the jury panel that scrutinise different models across GCC in the nomination and select the winner. He added, “The experts’ judge the models based in the Middle East. We deem is an achievement for both, Hyundai as a company, and the distributors who have worked so hard in building our success.â€
Where Elantra was the frontrunner in the small SUV, Hyundai Tucson were among the finalists for Small SUV. MECOTY awards had initiated in the year 2014, considering the distinctive performance of the different vehicles in the region.
The Awards reflected the customer preference and sales in the Middle East. Also the main emphasis was given to the SUV plus the Sedan, as being the most popular style among the consumers around. In the UAE, new vehicle sales growth reached 16.7 per cent in 2013, according to the Business Monitor International. As per the report the vehicle sales are expected to continue to rise following the plea made by the UAE Ministry of Economy for car dealers to lower their prices.