AUTOBEST is growing from 26 to 31 represented countries. This expansion is part of the “Next Level Approach” strategy inaugurated two years ago. The new five members represent Denmark, Finland, Germany, Malta and Switzerland and are all outstanding motoring writers, car experts and respected voices in their countries. AUTOBEST is keeping its philosophy of only one journalist representing each country. With 31 member countries, the majority of the European population is represented by the Autobest Jury.
We are also welcoming a new member representing Poland. The statements of the new members are hereunder in this press release.
Dan Vardie, Founder and Chairman stated: “With this step, announced here in Paris at the Mondial de L”Automobil, we consolidated the leading position of AUTOBEST as a full-size European Independent Motoring Jury. The ‘Best Buy Car of Europe’ concept is now covering all of the relevant markets of Europe. This latest move is welcomed by the consumers and auto industry. It comes just one year after our significant enlargement announced last year in Frankfurt at the IAA Motor Show. We will develop our concept, carefully looking to the main trends in the industry. We will continuously monitor the European customers’ needs and will always come with awards assessing all these.”
The enlarged Jury will start working immediately as of today, by voting in all the awards categories. Voting rules inaugurated last year remain the same for the ‘AUTOBEST 2017’ competition. The entry limit for a standard price new model is 20.000 Euro (excluding local tax).
The AUTOBEST organisation, established in 2001, adopted the revolutionary concept of finding the ‘best buy car’ available on the European markets. AUTOBEST competition winners must represent the best offer car for most European customers. Price, service network, spare parts distribution and versatility are the primary criteria. Jury members also give consideration to design and new high-tech gadgets during the voting process. AUTOBEST uses a transparent voting system, with a matrix of 13 criteria in deciding the winner.
Every year, the AUTOBEST Jury organises ‘The Final 5 test’, a thorough comparative driving session of the AUTOBEST competition finalists on public roads and a proving ground. This year, the AUTOBEST drive test takes place at Vairano, Italy, the FIA approved proving ground of Quattroruote. The Final 5 test is scheduled for 23-24 November.
The AUTOBEST Jury is also paying attention to the efforts made within the automotive industry. Investments, new automotive job opportunities for the people, spending funds for green cars and technologies and the support for different regions of Europe are carefully checked and appreciated by the Jury. New onboard technologies and connectivity are also under the scrutiny of the Jury. In all, AUTOBEST dedicates eight awards to the achievements as mentioned above: MANBEST, COMPANYBEST, ECOBEST, DESIGNBEST, TECHNOBEST, SAFETYBEST, SMARTBEST and SPORTBEST.
Ilia Seliktar, AUTOBEST Jury President, comments: “All these awards pioneered by the AUTOBEST Jury became European accolades. Winning one of these awards represents a lifetime achievement for any executive, designer, engineer, motorsport team, etc. There is no one, and nothing left outside of the keen eye of AUTOBEST Jury!”
The AUTOBEST Awards Gala is one of the most important independent automotive events in Europe. Year after year, the Gala brings together top executives from various companies. Thus, it has become the only European Annual Event where competitors gather at the same table with great pleasure. The Awards Gala has evolved over 16 years from a distinguished dinner at a five-star location to a European Gala with world class artistic content, a gourmet menu and a unique Grand Finale for the AUTOBEST Award. This year’s Gala in Milano Teatro Versace proved all of these. Customers from all over Europe can also get in contact with the lottery organised by AUTOBEST which allows their participation at the Gala.
For more info, please contact Alexandra Tatar, PR Director at pr@autobest.org
Please visit www.autobest.org .
The New AUTOBEST Jury members statements
Mikkel Thomsager, Denmark
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.
Tommi Lempinen, Finland
AUTOBEST needs strong and expert competition jury which creates benefit and value for participants by transferring insights and ideas to votes, feedbacks and suggestions. I am really pleased to be a member of such ambitious award.
Thomas Geiger, Germany
I’m happy to join the Jury, because it’s time to get back some “Bread and Butter” in the “Caviar and Champagne“-World of the car industry. We might all dream about super sportscars and ultimate luxury limousines but at the end we by the cars we are going to judge here.
Tonio Darmanin, Malta
It is indeed an honour to be 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.
Szymon Sołtysik, Poland
AUTOBEST gives me an opportunity to take a closer look at the automotive industry and take part in an interesting process of testing, assessing and awarding the best affordable cars in Europe. I hope to gain even more experience and meet influential people in the automotive business.
Philipp Aeberli, Switzerland
The passion for cars got me very early. My parents had to fix a dummy-steering wheel to my baby seat, so I could pretend to drive as well. As soon as I could read, I started buying car-magazines, because I wanted to know everything about it. This finally led me to my job.
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 costumer accepting and understanding new technologies. This is why I support AUTOBEST as a member of the Jury. AUTOBEST is dedicated to the costumers needs. It is an independent organisation which is focussed on the costumer.
LIST OF AUTOBEST JURY`S MEMBERS
