2016 Ghana Auto Awards: Stallion Group and Silver battle it out (Oct 3, 2016)

FOR the second year running, one of Ghana's automobile distribution giants, Stallion Group Limited, dominated the Ghana Auto Awards (GAA) held last Friday at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.
Although Silver Star Auto Limited won six awards, including the ultimate prize—Car of the Year (New Mercedes Benz E-Class)—Stallion Group was the biggest winner of the night with seven awards, including the CEO of the Year which went to its Country Director, Mr Mahesh Mahtani.  The Stallion Group won six awards last  year.
New Mercedes Benz E-Class overcame competition from Audi Q7, Hyundai Santafe, Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Accord and Suzuki Vitara to win the crown.
The awards jury assessed the vehicles based on technical specifications, including pricing, safety, performance, environment, ride, running and repair cost, seating comfort, handling, fuel consumption, space, warranty, ergonomics, standard features and finish quality.
Organised by Xodus Communications, the purpose of the Ghana Auto Award is to provide consumers with sound, comparative information on vehicles that are new on the market by selecting the best new vehicles in the various categories.
The night was glitzy, the speeches short. Food and music flowed and in the midst of it all was the celebration of excellence in the country’s auto industry.
skills gap
The Executive Director of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), Mrs May Obiri-Yeboah, who was the guest of honour, praised players in the industry for their contribution to safety and the socio-economic development of the country.
She, however, urged them to help fill the skill gap of mechanics and vulcanisers by supporting them to stay relevant in the transport sector through training.
Hyundai Genesis shrugged off competition from 11 others —Citroen C4 Aircross, Hyundai Accent, Audi A6, Honda Accord, Chevrolet Cruize, Isuzu-Max, Ford Ranger, Hyundai 1X35, Skoda Octavia, Honda CRV and VW Passat.
Mr Mahtani, who dedicated the award to all CEOs of the auto industry in Ghana, said: “We have the same vision to expand our business, employ more people and contribute to national development. While we may be competitors on Graphic Road, we are all friends here.”
Buying guide
The Events Director of the GAA, Mr Richard Abbey Jnr, said the award was meant to develop a buyer guide for automobile buyers and enthusiasts in the country.
Award winners
Other award winners for the night were The Best Micro car—Suzuki Swift DZIRE; Best SUV—Range Rover; Family Car of the Year—Audi Q7; Safety Award—Mercedes Benz E-Class; Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility—Hyundai Motors and Investment (Ghana) Limited; Best Design—Hyundai Sonata; Luxurious Car of the Year—Mercedes Benz S500; Best City Car—Chevrolet Cruze; Economy Car of the Year—Chevrolet Sparkelite; Best 4X4—Honda Pilot; Best Sports Car of the Year—Mercedes Benz AMG; Best in Auto Finance—Stanbic Bank; Green Car of the Year—Honda Accord and Light Truck of the Year—Isuzu QKR.
The rest are Auto Company of the Year—Silver Star Auto Limited; Best Performance—Renault Captur; Best Pick Up of the Year—Isuzu D Max (double cabin); Mini Truck of the Year—Tata Super Ace; Best Service Company—Mac Ghana; Brand of the Year—Hyundai; Best Online Auto Market—Tonaton Limited; New Technology—Land Rover Discovery Sports; Heavy Truck of the Year—Tata Daewoo; Discovery of the Year—Suzuki; Best Interior—Jaguar XJL; Promising Company of the Year—Premium Motors.
Special recognition went to Vodafone Ghana—Corporate Fleet Management; Vanguard Assurance—Insurance Company of the Year; Best Vehicle Tracking Company—Global Trackers Limited.