Poland joined AUTOBEST organization
Belgrade hosted AUTOBEST 2004 festivity
(March 18-th, 2004)
The Autobest 2004 festivity was held in Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro capital. „For us, wining AUTOBEST 2004 award is important showing that our small car is also a more objective selection choice. AUTOBEST is well conceived as a best- buy competition for the main customer in the emerging markets region of Europe. We are proudly receiving this award!”, Gerry Clarke, the Scottish export manager of Fiat Auto spa declared in front of audience invited in Hyatt Regency ball-room in the middle of February.
Fiat Panda was elected the „AUTOBEST 2004” with 474 points in front of Opel Meriva, with 389 points and Renault Megane II Sedan ranking no 3 with 381 points. 3 members of the Jury selected Panda as no 1 (for full results, see the annex) but other 3 voted Meriva as no 1. Megane was received also a clear no1 position. Two members of the Jury has the same two cars- Megane II and Panda- sharing the position no 1. The AUTOBEST 2004 was elected by the members of the Jury from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia and Turkey.
Last year scheduled festivity in Istanbul, Turkey was canceled in the very last moment due to the terrorist’s attacks. Consequently, the festivity was held in Belgrade and some other awards from last year were handed during the press days of Geneva 2004 Motor Show. “For us, the “MANBEST of 2003” granted to Mr. Fujio Cho, Toyota Motor Corporation CEO, was a surprise but also a great honor. Our constant policy is to go with the production facility where our customers are. This was the reason to invest in the Central Europe.” Mr. Shuhei Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe said during the receiving award festivity in Geneva. Another important moment was handing the „SPORTBEST 2004” award to Corrado Provera, Peugeot Rally Team President. „In spite of our just no 2 in the manufacturers WR rankings last year, we receive this award as an appreciation of our commitment to performance.” Provera said. Paul Frere, the worldwide motoring writer legend was happy to receive the „MEDIABEST 2004” award. Even if not as big festivity as planned for Istanbul, Geneva was better. „Actually I was not eager to go there!” Frere humoristically said. The other awards were also sent to the winners.
During Geneva meeting of AUTOBEST Jury a new country was welcomed. Piotr Frankowski, a well-respected motoring journalist of Poland is becoming the 11 –th member of the Jury, after Oleg Vasylevsky of Ukraine joining the Jury at the beginning of 2004. The 11 countries represented in the Jury counts for a regional market of more than 200 mil population. „AUTOBEST Jury is already achieved a critical mass to represent an important motoring writers jury in Europe. We are currently negotiating with journalists from other countries in the region to join our organization. But we are not in a hurry looking for a consistent growth, inviting only the very best and respected professionals in the countries we look having on board.” Dan Vardie, AUTOBEST Chairman explained.
