The Association of Car Fleet Operators (ACFO) 2009 Awards, which were voted for online for the first time ever, have been announced after a record number of members took the time to log their favourites. The method of voting was not the only first this year with the first-ever tie for one of the three ACFO awards, as well as a new name on one of the trophies.
The votes are based on members’ real world operating experience of vehicles in use on their fleets, over the past 12 months and returned a resounding win of ACFO Fleet Car of the Year Award, for the third year running no less, to the Volkswagen Golf range. Once again, the Golf’s triumph continues to underline the importance in the minds of fleet decision-makers’ of value for money, vehicle reliability and a varied model range with low emission engines.
The small van sector was dominated by Ford with the Transit Connect being named Fleet Light Van of the Year for the seventh time in succession, however, this award also threw up some controversy with the first tie in the 26-year history of the ACFO Awards as Ford had to share the award with Volkswagen for their Caddy van.
In the Fleet Panel Van of the Year category, the Ford Transit’s grip on the award for the past 14 years is over with fleet operators voting the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter into top spot.
ACFO chairman Julie Jenner said: “The 2009 Awards in many ways mark a sea-change. Our decision to move to an online voting process has been rewarded with members voting in record numbers for their vehicles of the year, which is very pleasing and underlines the importance our members attach in sending a signal to manufacturers of their views on current model line-ups.
“Additionally, the fact that a total of 40 cars and 35 vans all scored at least one vote underlines the breadth of models that are applicable for business use and the importance of the fleet sector to a wide range of motor manufacturers.
“Only a few years ago the Awards were dominated by just a handful of manufacturers and a similar number of models, but that has changed significantly as all mainstream car and van makers look to get their vehicles on to fleet choice lists.”
Julie added: “The quality of the vehicles available to fleets is further underlined by the fact that the Transit Connect and the Caddy scored equal votes giving the first tie in the history of the awards and the Sprinter narrowly overhauling the iconic Transit.”
The Awards will be presented to the winning motor manufacturers at a lunch to be held in London on Friday, November 20.