The awards were presented at a gala dinner attended by almost 250 ACFO members and their guests, which was hosted by ACFO yesterday (Wednesday 3 November at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole Hotel.

While the Volkswagen Golf took the top slot for Fleet Car of the Year – for the fourth year running – BMW received recognition for its achievements in low-emission technology under its EfficientDynamics branding. The BMW 320d (CO2 emissions of 109g/km) was named Green Vehicle of the Year, and EfficientDynamics technology won the Best Environmental Initiative Award.

The Ford Transit Connect Van and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter retained their awards – the former being voted Small Van of the Year for the eighth time in succession and the Sprinter being named Large Van of the Year for the second time.

This is the 27th year of the ACFO Awards, which are now voted for online exclusively by the ACFO membership. For the first time, the awards also recognised suppliers. Marshall Leasing was named Fleet Services Company of the Year, with ACFO members declaring that the organisation offered the best overall combination of quality products, service and integrity and fully understood the requirements of fleet decision-makers.

Finally, the Fleet Safety Initiative of the Year was won by Bosch for its electronic stability control (ESP) with load-adaption control, which is a feature on an increasing number of light commercial vehicles and was viewed by ACFO members as having the most positive effect on fleet safety.

ACFO chairman Julie Jenner said: 'Fleet decision-makers are reliant on motor manufacturers to deliver vehicles that are cost effective to operate, safe, reliable and environmentally-friendly and supplier companies to provide a first-class service.

'Operating successfully in partnership it means that through the availability of top quality vehicles and first rate suppliers, vehicle downtime can be kept to an absolute minimum and fleet managers can focus on the efficient and effective operation of their vehicles to support their businesses.' 

Results:

Fleet Safety Initiative of the Year:

Winner – Bosch ESP with load adaption

Runner-up – LeasePlan's SafePlan programme

Fleet Services Company of the Year

Winner – Marshall Leasing

Runner-up – Volkswagen Fleet Team

Environmental Initiative of the Year

Winner – BMW EfficientDynamics

Runner-up – LeasePlan, GreenPlan programme

Small Van of the Year

Winner – Ford Transit Connect

Runner-up – Volkswagen Caddy

Large Van of the Year

Winner – Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Runner-up – Ford Transit

Green Car of the Year

Winner – BMW 320d EfficientDynamics

Runner-up – Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion

Fleet Car of the Year

Winner – Volkswagen Golf

Runner-up – BMW 3 Series