The AUTOBEST Founders

The people who started AUTOBEST in 2001 and lead the organisation today — the largest independent automotive media jury in Europe.

Dan Vardie
RomaniaRomania

Dan Vardie

Founder & Chairman

Publication: Auto Pro, 4x4 Crossover Magazine

We are preparing for the next year the 20-th Anniversary of AUTOBEST. In these two decades, AUTOBEST became the largest independent motoring media in Europe and in the world by the number of countries represented – 31! The `AUTOBEST- Best Buy Car of Europe` award is the most important automotive accolade, addressing to more than 80% of the European car consumers. AUTOBEST Jury is the world champion in exploring the new frontiers of mobility, the first independent motoring media organization in the world who clearly stated the future of EV’s- pls see the AUTOBEST Credo released on February 1, 2017- and asking the right question about `how we produce the electricity on board of the automobile?` AUTOBEST with the other prizes – including the newest one `The Future is Here` - and other projects- ECOBEST Challenge, AUTOBEST SUMMIT Series, AUTOBEST Charity Fund, Miss A & Mr B cartoon personages, and many other initiatives- is the most complex and relevant independent motoring media organization in the world. We see many of our ideas, awards and initiatives becoming a source of inspiration for other colleagues and media organizations, which we see it as a compliment and confirmation of our creative work. We are very proud about our AUTOBEST Awards Gala, the key global event of the motoring media industry today. The latest edition of this February in Mainz, Germany, was another proof about our way of helping many millions of car consumers to be correctly informed about the key achievements of the industry and how to interpret the disruptive future. We call it `The AUTOBEST way`!
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Ilia Seliktar
BulgariaBulgaria

Ilia Seliktar

Honorary President of the Jury & Co-Founder

Publication: Autopress

AutoBest organisation and jury is the best thing I managed to create in my life together with Mr Dan Vardie and my colleagues and friends. But the most important thing is that idea is living and helps to more than 350 millions of customers to find their best buy car in car market, now in Europe, tomorrow in the world.
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Petros Soutzis
CyprusCyprus

Petros Soutzis

Co-founder & President of the Jury

Publication: autokinito.com.cy, Motoring Press Agency

Back in 2000, nobody could ever imagine including myself, the success and influence of Autobest. For the past 22 years my colleagues and I, have managed to make Autobest, the most important jury in the automotive industry. Now, stronger, and bigger than ever, we aspire to take Autobest to the next level… The best is yet to come.
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Rudolf Karpat
SlovakiaSlovakia

Rudolf Karpat

Co-founder

Publication: Autozurnal

Teamwork and exchange of experiences in motoring.
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Gerhard Kuntschik
AustriaAustria

Gerhard Kuntschik

Ex-President of the AUTOBEST Jury

Publication: Salzburger Nachrichten

AUTOBEST is an expanding independent organization of opinion leaders in the automotive media who look beyond the scene. It is a pleasure to contribute to AUTOBEST and represent Austria for the first time on the jury panel.
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32 countries, one juror per country

AUTOBEST Jury Members

Independent automotive journalists, one from each country — each representing one of the leading automotive publications in their market.

Christoph Jordan
AustriaAustria

Christoph Jordan

Autorevue

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Klaas Janssens
BelgiumBelgium

Klaas Janssens

AutoGids, Le Moniteur Automobile

Not only the automotive sector, but also the media sector is under pressure. Objective reporting has become a precious commodity, protected by organisations like AutoBest. And I am proud to play a role in that.
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Leonid Seliktar
BulgariaBulgaria

Leonid Seliktar

AutoPress

Being on the jury of AutoBest is an honor for me and an exceptional responsibility given the scale and the main idea of the organization.
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Ozren Adamović
CroatiaCroatia

Ozren Adamović

Auto

Autobest is a group of real professionals and good friends from very different countries and car markets. Just that fact broadens my understanding of car industry on a higher level. On top of our regular activities, we cooperate and help each other in various ways which is also one of big Autobest strengths.
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Vladimir Rybecky
Czech RepublicCzech Republic

Vladimir Rybecky

Autoservis & Mobilita

My membership in the AutoBest jury is very helpful for me thanks to meetings and discussions with my highly professional colleagues. Information I get from all the AutoBest events are on the much higher level than from the standard presentations.
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Mikkel Thomsager
DenmarkDenmark

Mikkel Thomsager

Bil Magasinet

Bil Magasinet has since the beginning been dedicated to the reader. I am proud to be part of an impartial jury that celebrates affordable cars.
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Markus Rutishauser
SwitzerlandSwitzerland

Markus Rutishauser

Automobil Club der Schweiz

For me, the automobile is tradition, enthusiasm, passion and never-ending love - but also a sense of responsibility towards the earth and its resources. I am looking forward to contributing my experience and independent opinion to the expert jury of AUTOBEST. I think it is a very interesting time for the car industry right now. It’s not only about inventing new technologies. The big challenge is also to make the customer accepting and understanding new technologies. This is why I support AUTOBEST as a member of the Jury. AUTOBEST is dedicated to the customers’ needs. It is an independent organisation which is focussed on the customer.
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Arttu Toivonen
FinlandFinland

Arttu Toivonen

Iltalehti

Motoring and cars are in a strong transitional phase. The change will be drastic in the next few years, and I want to be involved in telling consumers about the opportunities it offers for the future of motoring. AutoBest is a large and well-known organization that really knows European car owners, their preferences and wishes. I want to be involved in finding the best cars and solutions for everyone.
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Julien Di Luigi
FranceFrance

Julien Di Luigi

Freelance auto/moto journalist

It's an honor for me to have been chosen to represent France. Sharing my knowledge of the automotive world with other colleagues from European countries is an extremely interesting and enriching experience.
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Achim Stahn
GermanyGermany

Achim Stahn

interPress media

I always had a burning interest about cars and in writing stories about cars plus Motorsport. I am honoured to have been chosen to represent Germany in the AUTOBEST Awards. A group of highly qualified automobile experts across Europe.
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Ioannis Stavropoulos
GreeceGreece

Ioannis Stavropoulos

Motori

AUTOBEST is a team of professional journalists, with a very high level. All members have very good knowledge of the car and this is very important for the philosophy of the AUTOBEST organization. The future belongs to AUTOBEST.
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Dave Humphreys
IrelandIreland

Dave Humphreys

CompleteCar

The consumer-focussed ethos of Autobest is what makes me proud to be a part of the jury. I look forward to developing further initiatives to serve European car buyers better.
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Alessio Viola
ItalyItaly

Alessio Viola

Vice President of the Jury

Quattroruote

It is a great honour and privilege to represent Quattroruote in the Autobest jury, a very interesting prize, more and more important and highly considered in this sector. Moreover, it's useful to meet other nations' colleagues to widen my knowledge and horizons.
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Vitoldas Milius
LithuaniaLithuania

Vitoldas Milius

Auto Bild Lithuania

I'm excited to be part of AUTOBEST, as this is a great chance for me to use my professional skills in the best car evaluation platform. As a passionate car enthusiast, I’m proud to represent Lithuania and work alongside experienced experts from Europe. With the car industry undergoing big changes and challenges, I’m eager to be part of this journey and to share valuable insights about the future of motoring. AUTOBEST has a strong understanding of what European car owners want and need, and I’m looking forward to helping find the best cars and solutions for every customer.
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Antonio da Palma Ferramacho
LuxembourgLuxembourg

Antonio da Palma Ferramacho

Luxgears

Cars have always been my passion. I love everything about them—the technology, the design, the driving experience, and of course, motorsport. I had the privilege of racing actively for five seasons in the Belgian and French Fun Cup series, with additional appearances in other categories. Becoming a member of the AUTOBEST jury is a true milestone in my automotive journey. I am truly honored to join the AUTOBEST jury and look forward to contributing my technical, editorial, and consulting experience alongside such a respected group of peers.
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Krumislav Barzov
North MacedoniaNorth Macedonia

Krumislav Barzov

Avto Magazin, Car & Automotive TV Show

Auto Best is example how great idea, supported with passion and dedication by the every Jury member, can overcome stereotypes and extend beyond the initial boundaries.
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Anthony Alfred Darmanin
MaltaMalta

Anthony Alfred Darmanin

Paqpaq

It is indeed an honour to represent Malta on such a prestigious panel of top rated motoring journalists and together I am confident that we can contribute to making Autobest the most significant award any automotive manufacturer can aspire for.
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Richard Aucock
United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Richard Aucock

Vice President of the Jury

Motoring Research

The UK car market is changing as fast as the broader automotive industry. It is a fascinating time to be a motoring journalist – and an equally exciting time to be an Autobest juror. I am looking forward to representing British consumers on the jury, discovering and honouring the very best cars on sale in Europe that real-world car buyers can choose.
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David Andersen
NorwayNorway

David Andersen

Bil Og Motorbloggen, VG

In these changing times for the automotive industry, European consumers more than ever need guidance on mobility solutions. That makes the role of Autobest accordingly more important. I am both proud and happy to be able to contribute in this picture as the Norwegian representative in the jury. Autobest is a forward-looking and progressive organization, not only advising consumers on products in the market, but also heavily engaged in areas like safety and environment. This fits perfectly with the almost completely zero emission Norwegian car market.
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Igor Stuifzand
NetherlandsNetherlands

Igor Stuifzand

Freelance — leading Dutch automotive media

With the rise of the EV, as well as that of many new brands, the automotive world has changed a lot during the last decade. This makes it very confusing for many consumers to choose the right, affordable car. In my role as an AUTOBEST juror, I see a great opportunity to help the consumer to make the best choice for their money.
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Szczepan Mroczek
PolandPoland

Szczepan Mroczek

Auto Motor i Sport

It is an honour to take part in AUTOBEST. This contest will be great help to deliver to customers per size information about mainstream cars which are on the market.
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José Caetano
PortugalPortugal

José Caetano

Auto Foco

In such demanding times, also in the automotive industry, with a paradigm shift underway at the same time as a pandemic crisis, it is good to know that we have a «safe haven»: Autobest. I return to a family of great friends and great professionals that I’ve always particularly liked. These times demand unity and unity makes us stronger. And most importantly, it's good to be back!
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Mladen Alvirović
SerbiaSerbia

Mladen Alvirović

SAT Plus

Autobest name stands for right approach, different from usual in today’s world, but completely right. Joint decisions by whole jury, transparent way of voting, freedom of opinion for every member, these are not usual characteristics of other juries, but they are completely right. Autobest represents freedom to be a professional automotive journalist, freedom to recognize the ones that influence the automotive industry the most no matter where they come from.
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Michal Karpat
SlovakiaSlovakia

Michal Karpat

Autozurnal

It is a great honor for me to be part of an international jury representing 31 European countries and to continue the work of my father, who co-founded AUTOBEST in 2000. I'm looking forward to being part of an independent jury that really helps people choose a car based on precisely selected criteria.
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Gašper Pirman
SloveniaSlovenia

Gašper Pirman

Avtomobilizem

After more than 12 years of work in automotive media, I managed to gain an extensive understanding of the industry. Being able to gain invaluable insights from my colleagues from other European countries at the AUTOBEST, as well as share my opinions with them, is a major step forward to deeper insight into the field.
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Alex Adalid
SpainSpain

Alex Adalid

SoyMotor.com

Ever since I was a child — and probably because my father worked at the Ford factory in Valencia — my dream has been to become an automotive journalist. That’s why being part of the AutoBest jury is one of the most important and meaningful achievements of my career.
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Marcus Berggren
SwedenSweden

Marcus Berggren

Högsta Växeln

It is an honour to represent Sweden in AUTOBEST. As a journalist, my goal is to connect people with the cars that shape everyday life and reflect real needs. AUTOBEST stands for accessibility, innovation, and independent evaluation, values I strongly share. I look forward to contributing my experience and perspective to help find the cars that best serve Europe’s motorists in a changing world.
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Okan Altan
TurkeyTurkey

Okan Altan

Auto Show

“AutoBest” members are pioneering in the automotive journalism with their enthusiastic approach and deep knowledge about cars and industry… AUTOBEST Jury membership is great pleasure and honor to show to the customers the way of ideal selection of “logical” car models.
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Oleg Vasylevskyi
UkraineUkraine

Oleg Vasylevskyi

Auto Bild Ukraine

AUTOBEST is a unique opportunity to apply my professional skills in one of the best car value judging tools of Europe.
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Gábor Szécsényi
HungaryHungary

Gábor Szécsényi

Az Autó

I strongly believe that voting- and car-evaluating system of AUTOBEST is by far the best in order to filter out what’s really important for the European customer. Giving a clear and unbiased view is more valuable now than it has ever been before as car markets and the automotive industry as a whole is constantly getting more and more complex with time. As the electrification is coming at full throttle our job is getting more important to point out what really a Best Buy of Europe is. It’s fantastic to be a member of a group of dedicated professionals.
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