News Broadcasting
CNBC crowns Honda City as the ‘Car of the year’
MUMBAI: The results are out and the business news channel has awarded Honda City as the car of the year for 2003.
The third CNBC Autocar auto awards, adjudged the Ford Endeavour as the SUV of the Year, while Bajaj Wind was announced as the Bike of the Year.
The awards across 10 categories was presented by Chief Minister Sheila, in the presence of eminent personalities from the Indian auto industry, says a company release.
Maruti Udyog Limited was awarded the Manufacturer of the Year award for its overall performance in 2003. Bharat Forge, MICO and Anand Group were recognized for their exemplary performance in product development and manufacturing of auto components. It is for the first time ever, that the auto ancillary Industry was acknowledged at the CNBC Autocar Auto Awards, says the release.
The first ever ‘Viewer Choice Award’ was awarded to General Motors’ Chevrolet Optra. ‘ The winners at the CNBC Autocar Auto Awards 2003 are:
Award
Winner
The Car Of The Year Award Honda City
Bike Of The Year Bajaj Wind
SUV Of The Year Ford Endeavour
Best Value For Money Car Chevrolet Optra
Most Technologically Advanced Car Mercedes SL 500
Best Design & Styling Mercedes SL 500
Manufacturer Of The Year Maruti udyog Ltd
Most Improved Car Of The Year Tata Safari EXi
Best Driver’s Car Chevrolet Forester
The event boasted of good attendence from industry with the likes of CMD-Apollo Tyres’ Onkar Kanwar, HDFC’s Aditya Puri, Tata Motors executive director Dr Sumantran, Maruti Udyog ltd MD Jagdish Khattar, General Motors MD Aditya Vij, Mahindra & Mahindra’s MD Bharat Forge, Baba Kalyani, CEO Alan Durante, Daimler Chrysler India MD & CEO Hans-Michael Huber making appearance.
The performance of the event included the fusion world music by Taufiq Qureshi, Louis Banks and Vikku Vinayak Ram and Shiamak Davar and his troupe’s vibrant contemporary modern dance routine.
Speaking on the occasion, CNBC-TV18, CEO, Haresh Chawla, “Across the world, the auto industry is the yardstick to gauge the economy of a country. These are indeed exciting times for the Indian auto industry and the car buyer. The discerning Indian consumer today views a vehicle more than just a functional product, while making a purchase decision, style, comfort and technology are on his priority list. CNBC and Autocar continue to keep a pulse on the changing needs of the consumer. Through the CNBC Autocar Auto Awards we celebrate the resilient spirit of India’s Auto Industry.”
The auto magazine Auto Car India provided the technical support for road testing and evaluating the technical performance of the nominees, using sophisticated evaluation procedures and testing equipment, says the release.
The judges then rated the nominees on the basis of the performance and the scores were audited and evaluated by Ernst & Young. According to the release, stringent guidelines and eligibility criteria were applied to ensure that the process is benchmarked against international standards.
News Broadcasting
BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs in biggest overhaul in 15 years
Cost pressures and leadership change drive major workforce reduction plan
LONDON: BBC has unveiled plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs, roughly 10 per cent of its global workforce, in what marks its biggest downsizing in 15 years.
The announcement was made during an all-staff meeting led by interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies, as the broadcaster moves to tackle mounting financial pressures and reshape its operations.
Between 1,800 and 2,000 roles are expected to be eliminated from a workforce of around 21,500. The cuts form part of a broader plan to save £500 million over the next two years, aimed at offsetting rising costs, stagnating licence fee income and weaker commercial revenues.
In a communication to staff, BBC interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies said, “I know this creates real uncertainty, but we wanted to be open about the challenge,” acknowledging the impact the move would have across the organisation.
The restructuring comes at a time of leadership transition. Former director-general Tim Davie stepped down earlier this month, with Matt Brittin, a former Google executive, set to take over the role on May 18, 2026.
While some cost-cutting measures are being implemented immediately, the majority of the structural changes are expected to roll out over the next few years, with full savings targeted by the 2027–2028 financial year.
The broadcaster had earlier signalled its intent to reduce its cost base by around 10 per cent over a three-year period, warning of “difficult choices” as it adapts to shifting economic realities and audience expectations.
With operating costs hovering around £6 billion annually, the BBC’s latest move underscores the scale of the financial challenge it faces, as it balances public service commitments with the need for long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive media landscape.
