December 02, (THEWILL) –Â For the second time in three years, Hyundai Creta SUV has been voted as the Nigerian Car-of-the-Year, ahead of Toyota Corolla and Kia Rio.
The Nigerian Auto journalists Association (NAJA) announced the latest verdict on Wednesday at its 2021 Auto Industry Awards held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Launched into the Nigerian market for the first time in 2016, the compact SUV had earlier made a history by winning the prestigious car of the year award in 2018.
The 2021 NAJA event also featured the crowning of Nigeria’s first ever Electric Car, the Hyundai Kona, as the Electric-Car-of-the-Year.
The colourful event was attended by the leading stakeholders of the nation’s automobile and road transport sector, including the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi and representative of the Director General of National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Jelani Aliyu.
Journey to 2021 NAJA Awards started with nomination of finalists by jury members of the Nigerian Auto Journalists Association. While the ultimate winners emerged from voting by Motoring journalists drawn from the nation’s leading print, electronic and digital media.
Reacting, Mr. Gaurav Vashisht, Head, Sales and Marketing at Hyundai Motors Nigeria commended the organisers (NAJA) for putting up the prestigious award and for finding the Hyundai Creta and Kona worthy of honours.
Vashisht described the two award winning vehicles (Creta and Kona) as a testimony of Hyundai’s core vision of always developing high-quality vehicles.
He said: “We are honoured to, again, win the most prestigious automotive award in Nigeria. We dedicate the awards to our teeming customers and lovers of Hyundai brand across the country.
“We thank the motoring media and jurors who have chosen CRETA as the Nigerian Car of the Year 2021 and crowned the Kona as the Nigerian Electric Car of the Year.
“With innovation at its core, Hyundai is committed to continuously make global quality cars with cutting edge technologies and fortify the Hyundai brand, caring for our customers in Nigeria and globally.”
Currently selling in Nigeria is a new generation 2021 Creta created for an unparalleled driving experience for customers across sub-Sahara Africa, including Nigeria.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
