ABARTH wins rising star award, and i thought it had been around for a while.

Proof that Abarth cars are creating growing numbers of satisfied owners is shown by today’s new survey from an independent review site which votes the performance car brand ‘Rising Star of the Year 2014’.

The site, WeLoveAnyCar.com says Abarth drivers are among the happiest car owners in the UK, adding that the Abarth 500, 595 and 695 ranges have created some of the “most satisfied drivers in the UK”, scoring a satisfaction rating of 4.34 out of 5.

The results were revealed today in the WeLoveAnyCar.com National Car Awards 2014, which are judged in several categories, including excitement, comfort, driver fun and running costs. Based on average scores given by more than 650,000 real-life car owners, the results are reached after reviewers independently enter their findings.

“The Abarth range is clearly aimed at enthusiasts and from the reviews we’ve seen on our site, the latest model range has clearly hit the spot,” says WeLoveAnyCar.com. “It’s great to see a car brand that is aimed so squarely at people who love cars achieving what they set out to achieve, and that’s one of the main reasons we’re proud to call Abarth our Rising Star in 2014”

Among the comments received from real-owner reviewers were:

“Quite easily one of the best cars I've owned or driven - superb, cheeky fun without being overpowered or outrageously fast.”

“I adore this little car, it always puts a smile on my face even just looking at it.”

“I just love it. It puts a smile on my face after a rubbish day at work and when big cars get caught out!”

“Of course we think our cars are wonderful,” says Gerry Southerington, head of brand, Abarth UK. “So it’s refreshing to hear that our customers think so too. A combination of great looks, performance, desirability and value for money has put us in the minds of thousands of happy new owners, as the WeLoveAnyCar.com findings so clearly show.”

Available in hard top or convertible form, the Abarth 500 range starts at £14,560 (OTR) for the 1.4 T-Jet 135hp manual.

JLR wins Chinese rising star award

Jaguar Land Rover China (JLR) has been named the winner of the Rising Star category at the prestigious Cathay Pacific China Business Awards 2012, which took place at London’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Friday, 18 January 2013. The Rising Star Award recognises dynamic and innovative businesses which have opened operations in China within the last five years and demonstrate entrepreneurial flair.

“We are honoured by the recognition from both the organiser and the judging panel. The award is a great encouragement for Jaguar Land Rover China and is highly valued by us,” said Bob Grace, President of Jaguar Land Rover China. “We have developed rapidly following the establishment of the National Sales Company in China in 2010, and since then have tripled our yearly sales performance by 2012, a result of successful investments and sales network expansion, product launches, enhanced after-sales service, etc. We will enter 2013 armed with a long-term development strategy to further deepen our roots in China.”

With trade opportunities between the West and China continuing to build on an annual basis, Cathay Pacific’s eighth annual China Business Awards acknowledge and celebrate UK and Irish business dynamism and success in China and Hong Kong. The achievements of the winning organisations were recognised at the awards ceremony by HSBC’s Global Head of Trade & Receivables Finance at HSBC, James Emmett and Cathay Pacific’s General Manager Europe, Angus Barclay, in front of a room of leading dignitaries from the UK, China and Hong Kong; including Lord Wilson of the House of Lords and Lord Wei of the House of Parliament. 

A panel of judges made up of senior representatives from Cathay Pacific, The China-Britain Business Council, HSBC and The Daily Telegraph reviewed numerous entries before choosing JLR as the winner of the Rising Star Award. 

JLR vehicles were first introduced to the market in 2003. In response to the fast development of the China market, JLR established a National Sales Company in China in July 2010. In April 2011, the company opened a regional office in Beijing. It is currently preparing to build a new regional office in Guangzhou. Currently, the company employs over 250 people in China, with more than 85 per cent of the workforce being Chinese. It attaches great importance to China, JLR’s fastest growing and largest market worldwide.

The judges all agreed that as a new entry in China, JLR became extremely successful from the moment it opened operations in the region. They were impressed by how JLR efficiently managed its business with a global view, whilst maintaining its British legacy, with financial results that spoke for themselves: JLR China sales reached over 73,000 vehicles in 2012, a growth of more than 70percent. In November JLR performed a ground breaking ceremony at a one billion pound production centre at Changshu near Shanghai – a joint venture with the Chery Automobile Company.

Angus Barclay, General Manager Europe, Cathay Pacific, said: “These awards celebrate and reward talent, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit for which the UK and Republic of Ireland are renowned. The standard of entries has been consistently high in recent years with stiff competition and we hope that the business awards will encourage other businesses and provide them with the opportunity to receive the recognition they deserve.”