Peugeot become the second COMPANYBEST winner for emerging markets of Europe
For the first time, “SPORTBEST” and “DESIGNBEST” awards will be granted
(October 29-th, 2002)
For the outstanding activity performed among the emerging markets of Europe, Peugeot takes the “COMPANYBEST of 2002” award. Members of the Jury voted unanimously in favor of the French manufacturer, emphasizing the huge success Peugeot brand has in our region, by supplying the appropriate cars for the demand in the region.
As the “MANBEST of 2002”, Louis Schweitzer, Chairman of Renault Group was elected. Mr. Schweitzer proved to be one of the top executives in the automotive business, trusting the values and customers from the region. Turning Dacia make into a successful international popular brand is one of the most challenging tasks ever taken by the industry.
Austrian oil company OMV is taking the lead this year changing “COMPANYBEST of 2001” award from last year with “ECOBEST of 2002” thanks to its policy of keeping only green fuels to the pumps. Even more, OMV proved a great care about the environment, investing heavily in the region but keeping drastic rules for protecting the nature.
“MEDIABEST of 2002” award is going to Peter Homola, a well-known motoring freelancer. Peter is one of the very few journalists traveling all around the region in order do discover the automotive industry activities. He published an impressive number of articles in many countries from East and Central Europe.
Two new awards will come this year. “SPORTSBEST of 2002” award is going to West Mc Laren Mercedes team for the West Race Day project, which was held over 6 months in 7 countries (CZE, SVK, RUS, POL, SLO, HUN and GER) starting back in April this year. The final event took place at Brno circuit (CZE) on September 20 and 21, and was attended by over 130 media representatives from 10 countries. The 7 final candidates of the contest were trained, guided and looked after by a group of professionals (including David Coulthard, Alexander Wurz, Michael Doohan) and the overall winner drove 5 laps of the Brno circuit in Coulthard’s last year’s West McLaren Mercedes MP4-16!
“DESIGNBEST of 2002”, another fresh new awards is prizing the activity of Murat Gunak, a Turkish born outstanding designer, leading Mercedes style center. The jury took into consideration the remarkable design activity to give Mercedes a better appeal. More than ever before, design is leading the competition in front of technology and marketing. Yesterday, design was used only to make technology looks decent. Nowadays, Mr. Gunak proved that technology must keep the pace with the outstanding design. .
Following the last year success of the Bucharest, Romania, festivity, this year event will take place on December 6-th, in Sofia, Bulgaria. The Jury member will also take the final vote for the “AUTOBEST of 2003” award, voting in a complex points ranking sheet. The winner and the final rankings will be communicated during the festivity in Sofia. After the first round of votes coming from all 9 countries, 7 cars are going in the final competition:
Citroen C3
Fiat Stilo
Ford Fiesta
Renault Clio Symbol / Thalia
Seat Ibiza
Toyota Corolla
VW Polo
AUTOBEST Jury, founded last year, is prizing the activity of the automotive industry in the region of the emerging markets of Europe. To be an “AUTOBEST” is important, first of all, to be an affordable new car, with excellent dealer’s network and spare parts availability. Only on the second level of scrutiny are coming other issues, including new tech gadgets, sometimes quite expensive and not so necessary for a basic motoring. Is a matter of fact, the emerging markets average customer is far from the financial possibilities reached on the western markets.
