Citroen C3 is the “AUTOBEST of 2003” among the emerging markets” of Europe
French industry takes the big awards
(December 05-th, 2002)
Citroen C3 was voted “AUTOBEST AMONG EMERGING MARKETS” of Europe for 2003. The winner summed 385 points in front of Fiat Stilo, with 372 points and Toyota Corolla ranking no 3 with 340 points. 5 members of the Jury selected C3 as no 1 (for full results, see the annex). After some national European awards, C3 win the first international prize. The Jury indicates that Citroen C3 is the best choice for many buyers in the Central East Europe.
“I’ve just been informed that C3 has won the AUTOBEST of 2003. I am very honored and I want to thank all the members of the Jury.” is saying a message from Claude Satinet, Managing Director of Citroen, immediately after the announcement. “Giving this award to C3, you are acknowledging its stylish lines, modularity and dynamic qualities.” Mr. Satinet added in his statement.
The Jury took into consideration 13 criteria in order to vote the winner. Each of these criteria amounts a specific number of points reflecting a different importance in the final vote of each car. Price, with 60 points (out of a total of 240) points available to be distributed among the 7 finalists, is the most important. Other sensitive issues for the region like distribution network, service and spare parts availability, consumption and versatility and boot capacity is counting for 20 points each. In total, all these specific criteria for the customers in the region ranks for more than a half of the total number of points. Other criteria common for all European countries, new technologies, handling, dynamics, environmental friendly are less important than the first category. The exception, design-30 points- tends to become more and more important also for customers in the region.
“We are very proud to be the winner of the COMPANYBEST among the emerging markets for 2002.” is stating Corrado Provera, the Peugeot Automobile communication boss and President of Peugeot Rally team, world champion.
Mr. Michel Herrard, Renault Vicepresident for international operations, was representing Mr. Louis Schweitzer, Renault President and winner of “MANBEST 2002”. “I am most honored and would like thank you. You award is not for a man but for the efforts of a company, Renault Group” Mr. Schweitzer message said.
“I am express my gratitude to the Jury for prizing my activity as a motoring journalists looking to report all the industry efforts in region of Central East Europe” Peter Homola, an Austrian freelancer and “MEDIABEST of 2002” winner.
Mr. Pavel Turek and Mr. Steve Wright, reprezentatives of West McLaren Mercedes team, participated to the festivity and explained how the West Race Day project will develop in the future. “We look forward to expand our project in the region, for developing the racing passion for younger people” said Mr. Turek.
“I would like to thank for this 2002 DESIGNBEST award, which honors the beautiful cars produced by Mercedes Benz. It’s a great honor for me to receive this award from the Jury and I look forward to sharing it with my team, as successful design is always a team effort.” Mr. Murat Gunak, Mercedes chief designer said.
The second “AUTOBEST AWARDS” festivity took place in the International Exhibition Center of Sofia. More than 150 guests from the region attended the ceremony. Bulgarian media paid a special attention to the event. PRO FM, the Romanian leading radio channel, broadcasted live the moment of AUTOBEST winner announcement. Several international media’s attended the festivity. “We are very happy to continue and develop this project, important for both motoring people and industry. AUTOBEST is a real best buy guide for the main customer base of emerging markets of Europe. We want to express our gratitude to all the top executives from the industry showing us such a great attention. Sofia was a perfect host for the ceremony” said Dan Vardie, Chairman of the Jury.
Estonia joined the AUTOBEST Jury, effective with January 1-st, 2003, enlarging to 10 the number of countries represented. For the next year edition, discussions with motoring journalists from Greece, Russia and Ukraine are under way. The AUTOBEST Assembly decided also to explore new ways of national representation in the jury for incoming years. In this process, a big number of motoring journalists from the region will add their contribution to develop the project.
