Fiat Serbia voted “COMPANYBEST of 2012”
Laurens Van Den Acker, Senior Vice President, Corporate Design Renault was elected “DESIGNBEST 2012”
The new Dacia Lodgy, Fiat 500L, Ford B-Max, Peugeot 301 and Skoda Rapid are the five finalists for AUTOBEST 2013 competition. The jury will have a final assessment in the first decade of December and will vote just on time for December 15-th to announce the winner.
“COMPANYBEST 2012” is going to Fiat Serbia. The Jury voted unanimously in favor of the investment made by FIAT in the Serbian factory. “The transformation of this old communist factory is incredible. FIAT deployed the latest technologies available today in the industry. Is one of the most modern car factories in Europe.” appreciate Ilia Seliktar, Autobest President.
Laurens van den Acker, Chief designer of Renault group and Chief Creative Officer was elected “DESIGNBEST 2012”. For the AUTOBEST Jury the decision was coming after the remarkable change in design strategy of Renault and Dacia brands performed in a record period of time.
“TECHNOBEST 2012” award is going to the new Range Rover that is the world’s first SUV with a lightweight all-aluminium body structure. This resulting in a 420 kg (39 per cent) weight saving over the steel body in the outgoing model.”This is an incredible technical revolution performed by Land Rover. With consequences for a lower consumption and CO2 emissions, but a better dynamics. The most impressive gain in weight so far in the industry.” stated Ilia Seliktar, AUTOBEST President.
This year’s ECOBEST, SAFETYBEST, MANBEST and SPORTBEST awards will be announced at the beginning of December in conjunction with AUTOBEST 2013 winner announcement.
AUTOBEST organization is confirming the continuity in leadership. Ilia Seliktar was reconfirmed as the President of the AUTOBEST Jury. Dan Vardie, the Founder of AUTOBEST organization will function as an Ambassador. “I am very glad Dan accepted this very important role for us. Even if he is not a Jury member with a voting right, as AUTOBEST Ambassador will have the power to represent AUTOBEST organization in any occasion. We are now embarked in a new strategy called “Next Level” and there is no one better than Dan to explain our vision and mission for 2015.” Ilia Seliktar said.
AUTOBEST Jury embarked a new development of “best buy car of Europe concept”. The awards are now focused on a larger approach of any field scrutiny by the Jury. The already announced awards for this year are revealing the new strategy. “We are thinking to explore new boundaries of our concept. This is a continuing process started by now.” Ilia Seliktar added. AUTOBEST will introduce a brand new award reflecting the shift of the auto industry to infotainment on board. Also this new award will be communicated beginning of December.
On his turn, Dan Vardie said:”I am very happy to help Ilia and AUTOBEST. As the Ambassador of the Jury I will do my best to explain in any occasion how AUTOBEST is developing a new philosophy for extending the concept “Best buy car of Europe”. Looking to the today European markets landscape, AUTOBEST concept is more actual than ever. With the transparent voting process, the Jury is addressing no less than 90 % of the auto consumers of Europe.”
AUTOBEST organization is the only international independent jury focusing on “best buy” cars available on the European markets. To become an AUTOBEST winner, a car must be the best offer for the average customer. Price, service network, spare parts distribution and versatility are the most important criteria in the voting process. Design and new high-tech gadgets are also coming in line as important criteria’s for voting. AUTOBEST is using a transparent voting system, with a complex matrix of 13 criteria in deciding the winner.
The AUTOBEST Jury is also paying attention to the efforts that automotive industry is making. Investments, new automotive job opportunities for the population, spending funds for ecological initiatives, the support for the emerging regions of Europe are carefully checked and appreciated by the Jury.
For this year, AUTOBEST members of the Jury are coming from 15 European countries and represent a virtual market with more than 300 million people. Each member of the Jury is an outstanding motoring journalist, a respected voice in his country. AUTOBEST is the second largest independent motoring Jury of Europe.
