FLEET WORLD - The Citroen Dispatch takes the honours as best medium van in this years ceremony.

New Citroën Dispatch has continued its award-winning ways by taking the Best Medium Van prize in the 2017 Van Fleet World Honours.

The New Citroën Dispatch has been named Medium Van of the Year in the 2017 Van Fleet World Honours. The award was won jointly with the Peugeot Expert and Toyota Proace at a prestigious ceremony earlier today at the RAC Club in Pall Mall.

This latest award in the New Citroën Dispatch trophy cabinet joins the What Van? Light Commercial Vehicle of the Year 2017 and Medium Van of the Year 2017 awards, which were presented at the end of last year. 

Van Fleet World Editor, Dan Gilkes, said; “The New Dispatch is quite simply a great mid-weight van that has taken a huge step forwards from its predecessor. 

The van is not simply a like-for-like replacement, as the addition of a third compact model broadens the line-up, opening up new opportunities and providing customers with increased choice to suit specific operating requirements.

“There’s a good choice of 1.6 and 2.0-litre engines delivering a good mix of economy and low emissions, with power and refinement. The vans can also be supplied with a very high specification, including industry first head-up display and hands-free side door opening.

“Citroën has managed to deliver strong load volume and payload capacities, while providing a comfortable, car-like driving environment in a van with perfect dimensions for urban use.”

The Van Fleet World Awards are chosen by a panel of expert journalists at the publication, who have considerable experience of the van market.

Commenting on the award, Jeremy Smith, Citroën UK’s Head of Commercial Vehicles & Business Sector Operations, said; “We thought we were on to a winner with the New Dispatch range.

The awards from What Van?, and now Van Fleet World, show that others with experience in the van sector think so too. We are delighted that the experts at Van Fleet World have recognised the strengths of the New Dispatch with this latest award.”

FLEET WORLD - Renault takes a triple win at this years awards ceremony, and its well deserved too !

• Renault picks up three awards at the Fleet World Honours 2017
• 100 per cent electric Renault ZOE wins Best Ultra Low Emission Vehicle
• All-New Mégane wins Best Lower Medium Car
• All-New Grand Scénic wins Best MPV
• Renault range is praised for head-turning design, efficiency and technologies

Renault has picked up three awards at the Fleet World Honours 2017 with the Renault ZOE, All-New Mégane and All-New Grand Scénic all winning their categories at the awards ceremony hosted by Fleet World magazine and held today at the Royal Automobile Club in London.

The all-electric Renault ZOE updated for 2017 and now available with a 250-mile range (NEDC) – the longest of any mainstream electric vehicle – was awarded Best Ultra Low Emission Vehicle thanks to its new longer range, smartphone apps and ease to live with.

The All-New Renault Mégane, launched in the UK in summer 2016, won Best Lower Medium Car and was praised in particular for its comfort, efficiency and technology.

The distinctive All-New Grand Scénic collected Best MPV thanks to its space, style and value for money.

Steve Moody, Publisher, Fleet World, said: “Beneath head-turning design, the Mégane feels a class above most rivals. It’s quiet, comfortable and effortlessly efficient, with clearly laid-out displays showing all the information drivers need at a glance. Extra space and efficient diesel engines to stretch the time between fill-ups means it’s perfect for a life on the road.

Renault has rediscovered its love for compact MPVs with the new Scenic. Beneath concept car styling, with vivid colours and large, aerodynamic wheels across the range, it’s still a genuinely practical mover of people and things… The pioneer has never been in better shape.

Meanwhile, Renault has always had a very complete EV offering with the ZOE, and the high-capacity battery option broadens its appeal. Drivers who need long range can now travel almost 200 miles under ‘real-world’ conditions, but there’s still a competitive smaller-capacity battery for those who don’t. With apps to alleviate anxiety by planning routes including charging stops, not only is the ZOE a great EV, but it needn’t be more challenging to live with than any other supermini.”

Paul Flanagan, Managing Director, Groupe Renault UK said: “2016 saw us complete the renewal of our family car line-up with the arrival of All-New Mégane and All-New Scenic alongside the Kadjar crossover, as well as revising ZOE to give it the longest range of any mainstream EV on sale today. We’re delighted that Fleet World has recognised all three models.  2017 is set to be another busy year as we add the Koleos crossover to Europe’s youngest model line-up.”

The Renault ZOE is an all-electric, five-door supermini available in a choice of three trim levels and with two battery options. With the new Z.E.40 battery, ZOE’s range is 250 miles (NEDC) – the longest of any mainstream EV.  Renault estimates that in real-world driving conditions that this equates to around 186 miles in summer and 124 miles in cold winter conditions. ZOE can charge from zero to 80 per cent full in as little as 60 minutes thanks to its patented Chameleon Charger™ that allows it to make the most of the widest range of power supplies and also keep charging times to a minimum. Renault’s Range OptimiZer technology ensures ZOE is highly efficient with its heat pump, a bi-modal braking system and Michelin ENERGY E-V tyres.  ZOE is available to purchase from £13,995 (OTR) after the Government Plug-in Car Grant with battery leasing from £49 per month.

The All-New Mégane – more dynamic, more comfortable and more refined than its predecessor – offers unique technology with an 8.7-inch portrait central touchscreen, Active Emergency Braking and convenient driver assistance systems such as Hands Free Parking and Adaptive Cruise Control. CO₂ emissions are as low as 96g/km with economy as high as 76.4mpg.  The All-New Renault Mégane range is available from £17,250 on-the-road.

The All-New Grand Scénic – part of the fourth generation Scénic family with its innovative design and distinctive 20-inch wheels – remains as impressively practical as ever thanks to its modularity and class-leading storage and boot space. The seven-seater also achieved a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating with Active Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection as standard – the only car in its class to have the safety feature applied throughout the range. Technologies such as Handsfree Parking and Adaptive Cruise Control are also available. The Grand Scénic’s One Touch Folding seats feature is another unique-in-class option whereby a button can be pressed, either from within the boot or from the multimedia system in the dashboard, to fold the rear seats, either individually or altogether, effortlessly to achieve a completely flat floor. The All-New Renault Grand Scénic is available from £23,375 on-the-road.

FLEET WORLD - Volkswagen is named manufacture of the year for its commercial side.

• Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles claims top Van Fleet World Honours award
• Brand is named Manufacturer of the Year in 2017 awards
• New services and initiatives aimed at fleets are key to success
• Crafter wins first UK awards: named ‘Best New Van’ and ‘Best Large Van’

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has taken home the triple crown from the 2017 Van Fleet World Honours, with the brand winning the ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ award and the new Crafter claiming the ‘Best New Van’ and ‘Best Large Van’ accolades.

Van Fleet World judges commended Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ work over the past 12 months, with a number of initiatives piloted by the brand now being adopted by the Van Centre network.

Commenting on the win, Dan Gilkes, editor of Van Fleet World, said: “Volkswagen has worked hard over a number of years to develop an outstanding Van Centre network that delivers a dedicated service to fleet and retail customers across the UK. However in the last 12 months the brand has piloted a number of initiatives that are now being adopted by the network, all aimed at improving service for fleet customers. It seems to be working too. 

Volkswagen is number two in the UK light commercial vehicle market with sales having doubled since 2009. More importantly, the company recorded record levels of customer satisfaction in 2016, making it a worthy winner of our Van Manufacturer of the Year Award.”

Initiatives introduced include head of business development support at every Van Centre, with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles ensuring the needs of trade customers are being fully met through business experts employed at each location. An extended hours offer is also being rolled out across all Van Centres, along with Mobile Service Clinics.

The new Crafter also picked up two key awards – its first in the UK after being named International Van of the Year in September 2016. In awarding the Crafter its Best New Van and Best Large Van accolades, the Van Fleet World judges said: “It’s not often that a van manufacturer has the chance to create a new vehicle, not just from a clean sheet of paper, but with a completely new factory dedicated to its production. Volkswagen has grabbed the opportunity with both hands, to meet the needs of large van users in every sector.”

Praising its wide range of drivetrains, bodies, engines and driver assistance systems, Gilkes concluded: “Volkswagen had one chance to get new Crafter right and it seems to have hit the spot first time.”

Chris Black, head of fleet at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, collected the awards on behalf of the brand at the ceremony in London.  He said:  “We’re overjoyed to be named Manufacturer of the Year and for all of the brand’s hard work to be recognised. It’s also great for the all-new Crafter to have its first two UK awards, reinforcing the strength of the brand and quality of our products.”

FLEET WORLD - The All-New Peugeot 3008 takes "Crossover Of The Year" award

• First Fleet sector award for the All-New 3008 SUV
• All-New 3008 SUV launched on UK roads only last month

The All-New Peugeot 3008 SUV has been named ‘Crossover of the Year’ in the 2017 Fleet World Honours. The award was presented at the RAC Club in London earlier today. 

This is the latest prize to be presented to the 3008 SUV and the fourth it has received so far this year, having won the ‘Technology Award’ at the 2017 What Car? Car of the Year Awards, as well as being named the Carbuyer ‘Best SUV’ 2017 and overall Carbuyer ‘Car of the Year’ 2017.

“Standing out in the crowded and competitive crossover segment is never easy, but the 3008 SUV is a class act”, commented Alex Grant, Editor of Fleet World, “upmarket materials and PEUGEOT’s intuitive i-Cockpit^®, which groups controls around the driver, make it feel a cut above the rest. 

But it’s also great value, with CO²emissions from 103g/km bolstering its corporate appeal.”

A panel of expert judges from across the fleet sector select the winners in the Fleet World Awards.

Commenting on the award, Martin Gurney, Fleet and Used Vehicles Director at PSA Group UK said, “We know how enthusiastic the fleet sector is about the All-New PEUGEOT 3008 SUV from our own conversations. So to win this award so soon after the car has gone on sale in the UK is a great accolade.”

FLEET WORLD - The Skoda Superb flagship model takes best upper medium car 2017

• ŠKODA flagship crowned Fleet World Best Upper Medium Car 2017
• Superb retains title it first won in 2016
• Judges praise Superb’s practicality and value for money
• Superb SE Technology models designed for business customers

The ŠKODA Superb has added to its incredible list of industry and media accolades with another awards win. Fleet World magazine has awarded ŠKODA’s flagship model its Best Upper Medium car title for the second year in succession – confirming its status as one of the most accomplished all-rounders in the sector.

Commenting on the Superb’s triumph, the Fleet World Honours judging panel concluded: “With its upmarket styling, cavernous interior space and incredible value for money, the Superb punches well above its weight in this segment. 

Factor in some great engine options and it’s impossible to argue with, increasingly taking customers from premium brands and with sales weighted towards higher trim levels.”

Since its launch in 2015, the Superb has won 19 UK automotive industry titles, including Scottish Car of the Year, Auto Express Best Family Car and Estate Car, The Telegraph Best Family Car and What Car? Best Estate Car. 

The Superb has proved to an exceptionally popular choice with fleet operators and company car drivers since its introduction. 

Along with the Yeti and Octavia, the Superb range features a special SE Technology trim grade that has been specifically fine-tuned to meet the demands of fleet drivers and operators. For example, all Superb SE Technology models include Adaptive cruise control (ACC), Amundsen satellite navigation, SmartLink connectivity, Drive mode selection and Alcantara / leather upholstery. The Superb SE Technology GreenLine returns 76.4mpg and emits just 96g/km CO₂, further reducing running costs for business customers.

Superb SE Technology prices start from £22,780 for the hatch and £24,060 for the estate version.

FLEET WORLD - FCA takes the Most Improved Fleet Manufacturer title for 2017.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has been named Most Improved Fleet Manufacturer in the prestigious Fleet World Awards.

The award recognises the strides made by the company’s fleet and business department, which represents Fiat, Fiat Professional, Alfa Romeo and Jeep®.

Judges were impressed not only by the strength and breadth of the vehicle line-up but also by the changes made in the last year to improve the fleet offering.

Steve Moody, Publisher at Fleet World, said:  “With the ability to cross-sell between its different brands, FCA Group has a unique and compelling offer for fleets.

“Newcomers such as the Fiat Tipo, Alfa Romeo’s Giulia and Stelvio, and commercial vehicles including the Talento van and Fullback pickup mean it’s becoming a complementary line-up suitable for the most diverse fleet needs.

“It’s also well supported, with a central fleet and business organisation and a growing network of specialist dealers.”

Receiving the award at a ceremony at the RAC Club in Pall Mall, Francis Bleasdale, Fleet and Remarketing Director at FCA, said: “We’re honoured to have won this category in these prestigious fleet awards and delighted that our work to improve the bespoke service we offer to business customers has been recognised.

“We are continuing to fine-tune our already competitive TCO position, ensuring all customers, no matter their size or requirements, benefit from a cost-effective fleet partnership.

“We have expanded the network and the sales team, improved our online tools on our dedicated business web pages, as well as introducing a dedicated TCO specialist, the result being that customers are already reaping the financial benefits of lower running costs.

“In addition to building on our renowned low running costs and excellent service, we are continuing to expand the Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Jeep® model ranges including specially-developed, business-focused editions that will thrill both head and heart.  These include the UK launch of the compact luxury crossovers Alfa Romeo Stelvio and the all-new Jeep Compass plus the exciting Fiat Professional range that showcase our commitment to delivering distinctive vehicles to our business customers.”

FLEET WORLD - Audi takes two awards for the A3 and A4 at this years ceremony.

All-round appeal of Audi premium compact hatchback and compact executive saloon is recognised by top fleet title

• Best Premium Lower Medium award for Audi A3, Best Compact Executive Award for Audi A4 presented in London at annual Fleet World Honours ceremony

Factors such as efficiency, connectivity, premium quality and range variety feature particularly prominently in the decision making process for fleet managers, and it is against these and many other key criteria that the Audi A3 compact hatchback and A4 compact executive saloon have been judged best-in-class in the 2017 Fleet World Honours.

Presented yesterday at the RAC Club in London, the Fleet World Honours include a total of 20 car-focused award categories, each  requiring the models within them to be assessed not only on the basis of ‘real world‘ attributes such as performance, refinement, economy, accommodation and connectivity, but also on their ‘on-paper’ viability from a fleet perspective.

AUDI A3

AUDI A4

The importance of the A3 in carving out the compact hatchback segment wasn’t lost on the judges, and nor were the many benefits of the significant revisions the three-door hatchback, five-door Sportback, Saloon and Cabriolet underwent in mid-2016. 

In summarising their decision they wrote: “Audi created this segment with the original A3, but it hasn’t rested on its laurels. Refreshed last year, the A3 now features the latest connectivity and safety features, as well as two compelling petrol alternatives to the default diesel engines. Peerless cabin quality, and trims to suit all tastes and needs, mean it’s still leading the way.”

The judges were even more emphatic in their praise for the A4, describing the compact executive Saloon and Avant as “a revolution in its segment”. They went on to pronounce it “better than ever to drive, with more space for passengers and an interior good enough to suit cars costing twice as much. Factor in a line-up of fleet-friendly diesel, and now petrol, engines, a versatile estate and rugged Allroad versions, and it’s a great offer for fleets.”

Head of Audi Fleet Sales James Douglas welcomed the excellent result for these two vitally important Audi fleet sector contenders, saying: “Fleet World is a respected title with a specific focus on director level fleet decision makers, so the appearance of two of our most compelling company car offerings at the forefront of their respective Honours award categories could potentially have far-reaching positive implications for us. Fleet managers take endorsements such as these seriously, and so do my team and I – we thank Fleet World for showing such confidence in the viability of these two heartland Audi ranges.”

The Audi A3 ranges received a raft of important updates in 2016, taking on board new features such as the Audi Smartphone Interface and standard Xenon or LED lighting and introducing numerous new driver assistance and infotainment options from the larger classes including Matrix LED headlamps, the fully digital Audi Virtual Cockpit and Audi Phone Box wireless charging and connection. A new three-cylinder 1.0 TFSI engine also added to the already highly economical range of four-cylinder TFSI and TDI engines, one of which – the 1.4 TFSI with 150PS – works alongside a powerful electric motor to deliver 166mpg and 38g/km potential in the A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in hybrid.

A completely new A4 range encompassing Saloon, Avant, allroad quattro and S quattro models became available in the UK in late 2015, and quickly distinguished itself by way of near luxury class levels of refinement and quality, exceptional in-car technology and a range of extraordinarily efficient four and six-cylinder TDI and TFSI engines contributing to a highly cost effective ownership proposition.

FLEET WORLD - The Vauxhall Corsa takes the Best Supermini title in the awards for 2017.

Vauxhall’s Corsa has been chosen as one of the top models in the fleet industry, taking home the Best Supermini award at the 2017 Fleet World Honours.

Announced at the annual Fleet World Honours awards ceremony at the Royal Automobile Club in London on Tuesday, the Corsa topped its extremely competitive Best Supermini category. 

The judges, made up of influential decision-makers and fleet industry journalists, praised the model for its efficiency, running costs and technology.

“The Corsa is a staple part of the UK fleet sector, popular enough to outsell entire model ranges single-handedly,” said Alex Grant, Fleet World Editor. “Driving the latest version, that’s no surprise. It’s fun to drive, great value and feature-rich, while the model range includes low-CO₂ engines and trim levels to suit all business needs.”

“We’re delighted the Corsa has been recognised at the Fleet World Honours,” said James Taylor, Vauxhall’s Fleet Sales Director. “The fleet market is an important sector for our best-selling Corsa and we are pleased that it remains a firm favourite.”

In its fourth-generation, the Corsa has achieved exceptional sales, thanks to buyers’ familiarity with its name, looks, value and fondness for its compact dimensions and interior packaging.

It has also been Vauxhall’s best-selling car for many years, vying with Fiesta for the UK’s Number One spot and topping sales charts in Scotland and Northern Ireland outright.