ACKO Drive: December 23, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India: On December 19–20, ACKO Drive wrapped off the fourth edition of the ACKO Drive awards, also known as the TOTMs—The One That Matters—in Chennai, solidifying the platform’s standing as the most prestigious and sought-after automotive accolades in India. The two-day event, which took place in one of the most important automotive production centers in the nation, honored excellence in motorcycles, automobiles, and the companies that manufacture them.

Through an unwavering emphasis on integrity and independence, the TOTMs have gained the confidence of OEMs, automobile enthusiasts, and consumers in only four years. With Grant Thornton Bharat as the Knowledge Partner, TOTMs are the only automotive awards in India, guaranteeing an assessment methodology that is transparent, objective, and driven by research. The TOTMs are the most methodologically sound car awards in the nation because Grant Thornton organizes the jury scoring and aggregation procedure with audit-like rigor.

India is now firmly positioned on the global automotive map as the TOTMs are placed eighth in Asia & Africa for reach and effect among automotive awards [1].

The Hyundai Venue earned ACKO Drive Car of the Year at the 2026 event, while the TVS Ntorq 150 took home the title of Bike of the Year. In 2026, the Ducati Panigale V4 was named Premium Bike of the Year, while the BMW iX1 was named Premium Car of the Year. Based on thousands of customer votes, the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 (bike) and Mahindra BE 6 (car) won the Viewers’ Choice Awards.

The 2026 ACKO Drive Person of the Year award went to Mr. Tarun Garg, MD & CEO Designate, Hyundai Motor India. Ashok Leyland, BMW Group India, Hyundai Motor India, Rane Group, Royal Enfield, and TVS Motor Company were admitted as industry Pioneers into the TOTM Hall of Fame in recognition of their contributions to Indian auto industry.

The TOTM Hall of Fame: Leader, Engineer, Pioneer inducted Dr. V. Sumantran. These businesses and people, especially those from Chennai, were acknowledged for their contributions to the development of the Indian automobile industry.

Tested at the Highest Level and Judged by the Best

In keeping with their pledge to honesty, a panel of well regarded journalists, industry executives, and automotive specialists judges the TOTMs. At the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, nominated automobiles and motorcycles go through a rigorous, hands-on inspection every year for two days, guaranteeing real-world testing under similar, controlled circumstances.

In addition to the awards, this year’s event included an engaging fireside talk with Shailesh Chandra, MD & CEO, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, and renowned auto industry veteran Dr. V. Sumantran about the future of vehicle safety and what India has to do to elevate the standard.

“It is encouraging to see how sought-after the TOTMs are already in their fourth edition,” said Siddharth Vinayak Patankar, Editor-in-Chief of ACKO Drive, Chief Creative Officer of ACKO, and Chair of the World Car Awards. The industry worked hard to offer us enough to celebrate in a year filled with enormous constraints and problems. Whether it’s the vehicles or motorcycles, the brands and manufacturers, or some important members of the fraternity, what we have are really worthy victors. I am particularly pleased that we were able to honor Chennai’s industrial legacy, which has contributed significantly to India’s economy, consumers, and society throughout the years.”

The Honor Roll for 2026

Hyundai Venue is the 2026 ACKO Drive Car of the Year.

TVS Ntorq 150 is the 2026 ACKO Drive Bike of the Year.

BMW iX1 is the 2026 ACKO Drive Premium Car of the Year.

Ducati Panigale V4 is the 2026 ACKO Drive Premium Bike of the Year.

Mr. Tarun Garg, MD & CEO Designate, Hyundai Motor India, was named the 2026 ACKO Drive Person of the Year.

2026 Maruti Suzuki India’s ACKO Drive Safety Champion

Mahindra BE 6 is the preferred vehicle of 2026 ACKO Drive viewers.

The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is the bike of choice for 2026 ACKO Drive viewers.

TVS Motor Company is the 2026 ACKO Drive Bike Manufacturer of the Year.

Maruti Suzuki India is the 2026 ACKO Drive Car Manufacturer of the Year.

Members of the jury

Veteran in the Industry, Dr. V Sumantran

Editor-in-Chief of ACKO Drive and Chair of the World Car Awards, Siddharth Vinayak Patankar

Actor and EV evangelist Gul Panag

Racer and Mentor Rayomand Banajee

Hani Musthafa, Chief Editor of Flywheel and Juror for the World Car Awards

German Car of the Year’s founder and chair is Jens Meiners.

Senior UK Journalist and World Car Awards Juror Steve Fowler

Racer and bike restorer Yogi Chabbria

Former Two Wheels Editor Priyadarshan Bawikar of ZigWheels/BikeDekho

Ameya Naik, ACKO Drive’s Associate Editor

Principal Correspondent for Two Wheelers at ACKO Drive, Arun Mohan Nadar

[1] In accordance with the annual Global Automotive Awards overview report released by the German-American research and consulting organization AITASTIC.