Who deserves to be the best car and bike of 2013?
It's always been said that while some things are indeed black and white, others delve into shades of grey. So where does deciding on the best cars and bikes fall?
Well, when people buy vehicles, they go by several things to help them decide. Word of mouth, brand loyalty, and of course the vehicle's attributes & pricing. So when it comes to a jury deciding on the year's best, we look at somewhat similar things. But that is what any individual - even a juror would do. Though of course brand loyalty has no part to play! Of course the attributes could be many - and would weigh differently in different people's minds, which is why we have a variety of different individuals who comprise our jury.
Each of our jury members, bring experience, knowledge and yes - perspective. And that is why I am confident that the vehicles which emerge victorious are indeed truly deserving.
(Watch: 2014 CNB Awards jury meet)
From the Honda Jazz in 2010 to the Suzuki Slingshot in 2011, we have had our fair share of surprises. We have had tough races too like between the Hyundai Elantra and Renault Duster last year.
This is why in the interest of not just credibility, but also to make the decision-making process even more comprehensive we have a new scoring system starting this year. The vehicles are not simply voted on as most favourite to least - but each vehicle is judged across 7 parameters, and scored as such - by each juror. Each juror's scores are then tabulated and added up, and combined with scores from the rest of the jury, to arrive at a final decision. As in the past, our tabulator is accounting firm Ernst and Young. This new system will ensure a fair, well thought-out and more comprehensive outcome, and in my view will therefore ensure the correct winners for all the awards, and most definitely for the Car & Two Wheeler of the Year.
In CNB's tenth year I am proud to say that the awards are stronger than ever. We have what's been our most powerful jury ever too! And thank you to all of you who have as always voted in the Viewers' Choice category.
The thousands of votes not only help us arrive at the country's most popular products, it also allows two of you to be the lucky ones to drive them home! Voting will remain open just over another day, so if you haven't already - go ahead and put your hat in the ring to win a car or bike, right here on www.ndtv.com/cnbawards.
(For latest updates, visit CNB Awards 2014 Live Blog)
My congratulations in advance to the winners. If only I could get a sneak peek at who they might be. My stomach is in knots (as it is every year), so I can't even imagine how nervous the manufacturers waiting to claim the coveted trophies might be! May the best cars & bikes and the teams behind them claim the top honours. Because when they do - they will know they truly deserved it.
