About ACKO Drive

Awards 2026

ACKO Drive is the beginning of a new era. One that builds on all that is good, and takes it a level, cutting through the clutter of automotive content in India. At ACKO Drive we will bring you the latest news, reviews, tech content and more. May it be videos or the written word, there’s credibility at every level. And we are not just going to talk about product, but we will tell give you our transparent opinion about it because we want to help you get closer to your buying decision.Laying a strong foundation of credibility is Siddharth Vinayak Patankar, who brings years of experience, in the world of television, programming and the automotive industry to the table. Siddharth along with his team members have made the ACKO Drive Awards an honest endeavour to not just recognise the best products and people from the auto industry, but also an effort to set new benchmarks for transparency, credibility and relevance.The TOTMs (The One That Matters) are announced after a stringent Jury meet which is held on the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida and is spread across 2 days – 1 for two-wheelers and the other for cars. Last year close to 45 cars and 25 two-wheelers were present at the Jury meet.The Jury is comprised of stalwarts from the auto industry like V Sumantran, Racer and Mentor Rayomand Banajee, Endurance Biker Aishwarya Pissay and also actor, producer, Gul Panag among others.There is also a Marketing and Communications Jury meet that is held separately and is a first in the industry which honours the work done, throughout the year by the company’s teams.The first and second edition of the ACKO Drive Awards were graced by the big-wigs from the automotive industry who include CEOs like Mr. Pawan Munjal, Rajesh Jejurikar, Tae-Jin Park among othersBesides credible content, ACKO Drive also promises to give the best prices on cars in the market. ACKO Drive, thus, provides you with what you want. Accurate information, credible reviews, exclusive content and cars at the best prices!

Criteria for Judging

Comprehensive evaluation standards ensuring fair and thorough assessment

Cars

Design & Aesthetics

Performance & Handling

Safety Features

Technology & Innovation

Comfort & Ergonomics

Fuel Efficiency / Range (for EVs)

Value for Money

Build Quality & Reliability

After-sales Service & Support

Bikes

Design & Styling

Engine Performance

Handling & Maneuverability

Safety Features

Technology Integration

Comfort & Ride Quality

Fuel Efficiency

Value for Money

Build Quality & Durability

Objectivity and Eligibility Criteria

Evaluation Process

Independent jury evaluation combined with public voting (50% jury = 50% public votes)
All nominated vehicles undergo comprehensive testing by expert jury members
Scoring based on predetermined criteria with weighted importance across categories
Anti-fraud mechanisms in place to prevent vote manipulation

Eligibility Requirements

Vehicles launched or significantly updated in India during the calendar year 2026
Must be commercially available for purchase across major Indian markets
Manufacturer must provide vehicle for testing and evaluation by jury panel
Compliance with all applicable Indian automotive regulations and safety standards
Minimum sales volume or demonstrated market presence may apply for certain categories

Term & Conditions

Voting & Participation

Participation in voting is free and open to all residents of India aged 18 years and above.
Each participant is allowed one vote per category. Multiple votes from the same person will be detected and disqualified.
Voting must be done through the official ACKO Drive Awards website or authorized platforms only.
The voting period will be clearly communicated on the website. Votes cast outside this period will not be counted.
ACKO Drive reserves the right to disqualify any votes suspected of fraud, bot activity, or manipulation.

Nominee Selection & Categories

Nominees are selected by ACKO Drive editorial team and jury panel based on market presence, sales data, innovation, and consumer feedback.
The number of nominees per category may vary based on market dynamics and qualified vehicles.
ACKO Drive reserves the right to create, modify, or remove categories based on market relevance and vehicle availability.
A vehicle may be nominated in multiple categories if it qualifies for evaluation criteria across different segments.

Jury Panel & Evaluation

The jury panel comprises automotive industry experts, journalists, and technical specialists with proven credentials.
Jury members with conflicts of interest related to specific nominees must declare and recuse themselves from that category evaluation.
All nominated vehicles will be subjected to comprehensive testing including performance, safety, technology, design, and value assessment.
Jury scores are weighted according to category-specific criteria and combined with public votes to determine winners.

Results & Award Ceremony

Winners will be announced at the official ACKO Drive Awards ceremony. The date and venue will be communicated in advance.
Results are final and binding. No appeals or requests for reconsideration will be entertained after announcement.
ACKO Drive may publish detailed scoring breakdowns and evaluation reports for transparency at its discretion.
Winning manufacturers will receive official ACKO Drive Awards trophy and certificate of recognition.

General Terms

ACKO Drive reserves all rights to modify, postpone, or cancel the awards at its sole discretion without prior notice.
These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of India. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts in Mumbai, India.
By participating in voting or attending the awards ceremony, participants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
ACKO Drive is not responsible for any technical issues, network problems, or system failures that may affect voting or participation.
Personal data collected during voting will be handled in accordance with ACKO Drive’s privacy policy and applicable data protection laws.
ACKO Drive may use photographs, videos, and testimonials from the awards ceremony for promotional purposes without additional compensation.
Manufacturers must not engage in any form of vote buying, incentivization, or manipulation. Violations will result in immediate disqualification.
ACKO Drive maintains editorial independence. No commercial relationships with manufacturers will influence jury evaluation or final results.

For queries regarding the ACKO Drive Awards 2026, please contact us at [email protected]

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