Pinoy award for ELANTRA

No wonder HARI claims that as of February 2012 year- to- date sales, the Elantra ranks first among compact passenger cars in the Philippine automotive industry. Agudo recalls that the Elantra was targeted to sell 250 units per month but when HARI began selling it, the car averaged 295 units per month. As of February year- to- date sales, the Elantra was averaging almost 400 units per month, Agudo says, despite supply limitations. This is because the motoring public’s awareness of the car’s power, features, space and over- all appeal continues to increase, she avers.

Among the three Elantra variants available here, the 1.6 liter Elantra GL ( P888,000) with 6- speed automatic transmission ( AT) is the most sellable, but the Elantra GLS 6- speed AT ( P958,000) with an upgraded exterior and interior package and the Nu 1.8 liter gasoline engine that produces horsepower comparable to competitors’ 2.0 liter engine, is also posting strong sales. This February, as the supply of the Elantra GL MT ( P818,000) began to arrive, its sales picked up. The GL variants are powered by Hyundai’s Gamma 1.6 liter engine. Agudo says that the Elantra 1.6 GL variants compete with the 1.6 liter Toyota Corolla Altis while the Elantra 1.8 GLS vies with the Honda Civic 1.8 variant for market share.

Other Hyundai vehicles have captured COTY- P best- in- class awards, such as the Grand Starex GRX CRDI ( 2004 Van of the Year), Getz ( 2005 Subcompact of the Year), Grand Starex Luxury Van and MPV of the Year 2007, i30 1.6 liter CRDI 2008 Compact Car of the Year, Sonata Midsize Car of the Year 2010, Tucson Compact Crossover 4x4 of the Year 2010 and Santa Fe Midsize Crossover of the Year 2010.

With so many best- in- category awards under its belt, Hyundai was eagerly waiting to earn the big COTY- P trophy. And the stylish Elantra handily delivered it for 2011- 2012.