Ford Figo voted 2011 Indian Car Of The Year

India's best-selling compact model vehicle, Ford Figo, was awarded the Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) 2011 title on Thursday. Now in its sixth year, the ICOTY is awarded to a new vehicle after comprehensive testing by a jury of automobile journalists in India.

The Indian Car of the Year award caps off a terrific year for the phenomenal Figo, said Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India, who accepted the award from Dr. R.P. Singhania, vice chairman and managing director, JK Tyre & Industries, at a ceremony in Mumbai .

Recognition from some of India's most respected and influential automotive reporters further reinforces Figo's reputation as a well-designed, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive vehicle that delivered exceptional value-for-money for thousands of new car buyers across India. On behalf of all the dedicated men and women at Ford India, we are extremely grateful to the jury members and to our customers for choosing the Figo, Boneham added.

The Figo beat several small vehicle challengers, such as the Chevrolet Beat, Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, Nissan Micra, Skoda Yeti, Tata Aria, Volkswagen Polo and Volkswagen Vento.

The Indian car of the year is determined by a multi-point voting system modeled on the selection process used by the European Car of the Year jury, with 11 persons on the jury to select the winner.

The Figo's crisp driving dynamics, two fuel-efficient engine options, cheerful styling and interiors and, of course, its terrific pricing, simply propelled it to the top of the honours list, said Srinivas Krishnan, editor, Business Standard Motoring and Chairman, ICOTY 2011.

More than 60,000 Figos have been sold since March, setting a new sales record for a single nameplate in India. From January to November 2010, Ford India sold 79,586 units across its lineup, an increase of 185 percent compared to the same period last year.

Apart from Figo, the company also sells models such as the Ikon, Fiesta and Endeavour in India.

Ford India is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company. The carmaker manufactures and distributes automobiles and engines made at its modern integrated manufacturing facilities at Maraimalai Nagar, near Chennai.