2011 Fleet World Honours automotive awards names winners
The 2011 Fleet World Honours automotive awards have been held at the Royal Automobile Club at Pall Mall, London with the following amongst the winners:
Vauxhall
Vauxhall received an impressive three titles including the Best Upper Medium Car award for the Insignia, the Editor’s Award for Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles and the magazine’s Safety Award.
“We’re absolutely delighted to be recognised at the Fleet World Honours,” said James Taylor, Vauxhall’s Fleet Sales Director. “It’s great to see the European Car of the Year-winning Insignia pick up yet another award. We’re also pleased to be honoured for our range of commercial vehicles and praised for our work on safety.”
Vauxhall has recently introduced a number of initiatives aimed at fleet customers including a three-day test drive scheme and an industry-leading 100,000 mile lifetime warranty programme. This is in addition to ecoFLEX, the best-selling and broadest range of eco-friendly vehicles on the market, a series of exciting future product launches, including the Astra GTC and the Ampera, and the promise of a new MPV.
Mercedes-Benz
Both the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Saloon and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van took top awards, retaining their titles, with this the third consecutive year for the S-Class and the forth for the Sprinter van.
Fleet World Editor Steve Moody, who also chaired the judging panel, said: “The S-Class continues to set the benchmark in luxury car motoring: it is incredibly composed on any road surface and is unparalleled in terms of refinement and comfort, while the upgraded Euro 6 standard 350 BlueTEC diesel engine moves it ahead of its competitors in all-round environmental impact.”
And Van Fleet World Editor John Kendall said: “The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter was the first to offer an automatic engine stop/start system on a van, helping to reduce fuel consumption in urban traffic for a modest option price. Mercedes was also among the first to introduce Euro-5 compliant diesel engines for the Sprinter, helping to take a lead in reducing emissions. Similarly, it was one of the first vans to be fitted with ESP electronic stability control and a front bulkhead as standard, helping to improve safety.
“The largest Sprinter van offers 17m3 of load space, but it’s hard to believe that you’re driving such a large vehicle, such is the standard of road holding, handling and ride comfort, combined with low noise levels. It’s hardly surprising that it has become so popular both as a van and a conversion.”
Volkswagen
The Volkswagen Golf claimed the Best Lower Medium Car title, which was collected by Lee Rabjohn, Volkswagen’s Regional Fleet Manager, who commented: “I’m delighted to receive this award on behalf of the brand. The Golf has long been a fleet stalwart – and it’s a huge credit to the car that it continues to win awards such as this. Vehicles that appeal to drivers and fleet managers in equal measure are not easy to find, but the Golf consistently remains one such car.”
Fleet World Editor, Steve Moody, said: “The Volkswagen Golf just keeps performing, whatever point in its lifecycle, and the Mark VI is no different. Strong residual values, dependable on-fleet performance and classy styling mean it never goes out of fashion. And in BlueMotion guise it does something few cars can do: it matches its on-paper claims.”
This latest title can be added to those already achieved such as ACFO Car of the Year, Fleet News Best Lower Medium Car and What Car? Best Small Family Car.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles was also honoured with awards for both its smallest and largest models with the new Caddy picking up two awards for the ‘Best New Van’ and ‘Best Small Van’ while, for an amazing fifth year running, the Crafter was given the ‘Best Large Van’ award.
Commenting on the awards, John Kendall, Editor of Van Fleet World said: “The Caddy provides one of the most comprehensive ranges in its class – there are more efficient diesel engines, low emissions engines, natural gas engines, four-wheel drive models and a comprehensive range of body style.”
The Crafter also received praise for its “fine driving characteristics’, and handling and ride comfort, combined with ‘low noise levels that would surprise anyone not used to driving a van.”
Simon Elliott, Director, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK was delighted with the news of these awards, saying: “It is really positive to get such favourable comments about our vans from independent experts. This is another excellent result for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, and proves that our vans make sense for small or large van buyers.”
Audi
The Audi A1 looks set to continue its dominance of the awards circuit as it celebrates its fifth title of the year – Best Small Car at the 2011 Fleet World Honours, which were held this lunchtime.
The A1’s Best Small Car Fleet World award joins the prestigious Car of the Year and Supermini of the Year awards from What Car? magazine, Best Small Hatchback from Parkers New Car Awards and Best Luxury Small Car from the CarBuyer Awards.
Peugeot
Peugeot were delighted to receive its first award for the just-launched 508 which won ‘Best New Car of 2011’.
Phil Robson, Fleet Director for Peugeot, said: “The 508 is an incredible car and what better way to open up our awards account than winning Fleet World’s ‘Best New Car of 2011’. We’re confident this will be the first of many.”
On the same day as the Fleet World Awards, Peugeot picked up two further national awards when its ground-breaking 3008 HYbrid4 was named Best Eco Car of 2011 in Diesel Car’s Car of the Year Awards. For the second year in succession, the magazine also crowned Peugeot’s exciting RCZ – powered by a 2.0 HDi 163bhp engine capable of providing a thrilling drive – as its Sports Car of the Year.
Skoda
The Škoda Superb Estate has won the award for Best Estate Car, Martin Burke, Head Fleet Sales for Škoda UK collected the prestigious category trophy at a special presentation lunch at the Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall, London, on Wednesday 11 May.
Martin Burke, said: “Škoda’s drive to impress corporate users with cars that offer a blend of high specification, low running costs, high standards of quality, and excellent environmental performance is paying dividends. We believe there’s no better example of that than theŠkoda Superb Estate.”
BMW
BMW picked up the prestigious Fleet Manufacturer of the Year 2011 award for the second year in a row and if that were not enough they were also honoured with the prize for Best Executive Car.
Since its launch in 2010 the BMW 5 Series has been a hit with both retail and fleet customers alike. This popularity led to it taking home the crown for Best Executive Car for the second year in a row having been commended for its overall package of quality, performance and efficiency, by the judges .
Speaking after BMW’s successes at this year’s awards Stephen Chater, Corporate Operations Manager for BMW Group UK, said: “To win these awards means a lot to BMW. Not only do they recognise the developments in the product range but also the service and customer focus of the BMW Group corporate sales team, both of which have shown real benefits for fleet decision makers and company car drivers alike.”
Toyota
The Toyota Hilux won the Best Pick-Up in the 2011 award. 
Van Fleet World Editor, John Kendall, said: ‘The market for pickup trucks went over a cliff two or three years ago, but bounced back last year. That’s almost a metaphor for this year’s winner. When it was launched a few years back its reputation went before it, but it lagged behind its rivals in several respects. Progressive improvement has seen it bounce back. Personally, I don’t fancy a trip to the North Pole in one, but it has proved it can do it.’
Renault
Renault is celebrating multiple award wins at Fleet World Honours, this time for Most Improved Fleet Manufacturer and Van Manufacturer of the Year.
These latest two awards follow a highly successful year of fleet programme launches, including the Renault Business Promise, plus the arrival of the final phase of Master versions, including minibuses and conversions, and come only two months after the French marque secured ‘Most Improved Fleet Manufacturer’ at the Fleet News Awards.
Commenting on the latest award for Europe’s number one LCV brand, Van Fleet World Editor, John Kendall, added, “Renault is the single biggest seller of light CVs across Europe. The company is putting the final touches to the range it launched last year. Looking ahead, Renault will soon launch a new van and announced last year that it will be supplying engines and vehicles to Mercedes-Benz. As we know, that’s just part of the story with sales and support vital for any manufacturer active in the light CV sector. Our winner has set up a specialist dealer network in the past couple of years, not just here but across Europe. At the CV Show, Renault showed the first of its new approved conversions, demonstrating that it has a firm grasp of the market.”
Receiving the awards in London, a delighted Darren Payne, Renault UK’s Director, Fleet and Commercial Vehicle Operations, said, “We’ve worked hard in the last couple of years to be the first choice of many of the top UK fleet customers, with some exciting initiatives and products on the way later in the year, including the 100% electric Kangoo Van Z.E (*Zero Emission). We’re also thrilled to win the Van Manufacturer of the Year title for the second year running.”
Fiat
The Fiat 500, which is into its third year on sale in the UK, received the award for Best City Car in 2011 to add to an already impressive list of trophies, including Car of the Year 2008, along with several from the UK’s leading consumer and business titles.
“Another award from a top title is always welcome,” says Elena Bernardelli, marketing director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK. “The Fiat 500 has continued to sell well to retail customers and has caught the imagination of large and small fleets too, so we are delighted to see further support from Fleet World in this excellent category win.”
Also a winner was Fiat Professional’s Doblò Cargo van, which went on sale in the UK in March 2010, has just been named Best Light Van in 2011, the same title it took last year.
“From launch, the new Fiat Doblò Cargo has been received brilliantly by customers, businesses and the media,” says Gerry Clarke, director, Fiat Professional. “And it’s important to us that it keeps winning awards too, as that underlines the vehicle’s dominance in a tough market. To win one Van Fleet World Honours is a wonderful achievement, so two in a row is very pleasing.”
Citroen
Citroën’s DS3 has been named ‘Design of the Year’ in the space of mere days after Diesel Car magazine crowned the model ‘Best Small Car’ and overall ‘Car of the Year’ for 2011, not to mention the DS3’s earlier success as TopGearmagazine‘Car of the Year’.
Andy Wady, Citroën’s Fleet Director, remarked: “We are delighted with DS3’s success in the 2011 Fleet World Honours. The ‘Design of the Year’ award recognises DS3’s stand-out styling and vast array of personalisation options. DS3 appeals to the most demanding company car drivers with its unique combination of design flair, driving dynamics, comfort and the very latest Citroën technology including the recently launched e-HDI model offering emissions of just 95g placing it in the lowest 13% BIK band. We believe it’s a breath of fresh air in the premium small hatchback class. With over 10,000 sold in the UK, our customers – and now Fleet World – seem to agree.”
Citroën’s multi-award winning LCV range was also recognised by the awards as one of the greenest and cleanest available in the UK.
John Kendall, Editor of Van Fleet World and member of the 2011 Van Fleet World Honours judging panel, explains: “The presentation of the 2011 Van Fleet World Honours Environmental Award to Citroën reflects the company’s long-term commitment to improving fuel efficiency and reducing the carbon footprint of its entire LCV range. Citroën was one of the first van manufacturers to offer an active navigation system – Trafficmaster Smartnav – as standard equipment and has progressively introduced more efficient engines to the extent that it offers some of the lowest emitting models available today. And more emissions reducing technology is on the way.”
Scott Michael, Citroën’s Commercial Vehicle Operations Manager, commented: “As part of the ‘Citroën Vans – Business Class’ programme, Citroën continues to work to improve the fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions of its LCV range. The Van Fleet World Honours Environmental Award is welcome recognition of this and further highlights that all Citroën LCVs deliver excellent fuel efficiency and low emissions as standard.”
Kwik-Fit Fleet
Kwik-Fit Fleet was recognised by winning the Fleet Management Service Award.
The award specifically recognises the fast-fit giant’s decision to expand its range of services with an all-makes vehicle servicing and MoT offering for van fleets supported by an added value collection and delivery service and access to Master Technicians who will undertake any complex repair work.
The decision of Britain’s largest independent fast-fit company to launch a comprehensive fleet servicing and MoT initiative underlines its growth as a one-stop shop provider of all vehicle-related services.
At last month’s CV Show held at the NEC in Birmingham, Kwik-Fit Fleet, which made a debut appearance at the event, turned the spotlight on vehicle servicing and MoT work and its range of related mechanical services to great success.
Kwik-Fit Fleet sales director Peter Lambert said: “Fleet chiefs visiting the stand were extremely interested in the range of services that we now provide as they could see many operational advantages.
“Those advantages are underlined with this award and show that Kwik-Fit Fleet is at the cutting-edge of innovation in supporting van fleet operators.”
He continued: “Kwik-Fit may have been launched as a supplier of tyres, batteries and exhausts but today the company is a one-stop shop for all van service, maintenance and repair requirements.
“Fleet decision-makers and company van drivers have increasingly turned to Kwik-Fit for a number of reasons – cost savings, flexibility as a result of longer opening hours linked to a business culture of long hours working and the availability of ‘come to you’ mobile tyre repair and replacement through our mobile offering.”
Kwik-Fit Fleet has now won a total of 74 industry and supplier awards in its 24-year history.
Mr Lambert added: “That success is all due to a combination of delivering a range of services that corporate customers demand, a continuous investment in those services and in staff to ensure they are trained to deliver those services at the cutting edge. All of that is clearly demonstrated in offering a comprehensive vehicle servicing and MoT product to the corporate sector.”
GreenRoad
GreenRoad, won the Safety Award ,which follows GreenRoad’s previous success in the environment category at the Fleet World Awards 2008; winning the technology category in the 2009; and highly commended for the technology award in 2010.
"This award rounds out another great 12 months for GreenRoad," said
Aidan Rowsome, general manager, Europe. "We have expanded our
relationships with insurance partners such as Marsh and Zurich and this is
resulting in a number of new clients in the van fleet sector, such as Bunzl.
As fleet managers tighten their belts we offer a compelling solution to cut
fuel, reduce wear and tear and manage insurance premiums, all while
improving safety. It’s a win-win."
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