BMW reigns supreme

BMW has retained the Fleet Manufacturer of the Year Award in the 2013 Fleet World Honours. The news comes at the same time as judges also awarded top prize to the 3 and 5 Series Saloons, with the former scooping numerous other accolades at the same time.

The Fleet World Honours are presented annually to those motor manufacturers, service companies and individuals who have, in the opinion of the judges, achieved the highest possible level of excellence in their sector. Open to all motor manufacturers, the judging process combines the expert opinion of the Fleet World editorial team with the values provided by a number of leading leasing companies and fleet data providers. BMW is a back to back winner of the top award in 2013.

Fleet World Editor, Steve Moody, said: “Great products with low emissions and high quality, a deep understanding of the needs of the fleet market, a willingness to solve problems quickly for their customers and a committed team. That’s what the fleet industry told us about BMW, and why it was a clear winner as manufacturer of the year.”

News of the overall title comes at the same time as the BMW 5 Series was also crowned ‘best executive car’ in the awards, generally viewed to have been the closest yet in their history. Yet despite the stiff competition the judges said of the Five that it still set the standard in the most competitive sector of the industry with a blend of space, pace, comfort, luxurious quality yet efficient and powerful engines, strong residual values and low running costs.

The BMW 5 Series has since strengthened its position as class-leader following the announcement that 2013 heralds an across the range update in design, drivetrain technology with more efficient engines that all meet EU6 emissions standards and a series of ConnectedDrive enhancements. The current, sixth-generation BMW 5 Series is the most successful in the model’s 41-year history, with more than one million versions of the Saloon alone sold in just over three years. In the UK in 2012 BMW sold 15,706 5 Series Saloons.

Three times a winner for the Three
The BMW 3 Series has been honoured by three prestigious media outlets in annual awards ceremonies that fully underscore its position as a class-leading car.

The BMW 3 Series won ‘best large car’ in Diesel Car magazine’s 25th anniversary year awards ceremony. Editor Ian Robertson and a panel of motoring experts said the 3 Series was easily the driver’s choice and the one that was still the class-leader having beaten off strong opposition from a diverse range of vehicles to win the overall title.

BMW sold nearly 30,000 BMW 3 Series Saloons in the UK during 2012 with the top three versions being the 320d (12,545 sold), the 320d ED (7,969) and the 318d (4,085). In the same awards the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, BMW 5 Series, BMW X3 and BMW 6 Series Convertible were all either commended or finalists in their respective categories.

Meanwhile, the class-leading 3 Series Saloon was bestowed the honour of ‘most popular compact executive car’ by renowned motoring outlet, www.honestjohn.co.uk. Judged by 1.5 million users a month the awards reflect the popularity of a vehicle to own with web visitor analytics providing the details on who wins what. Dan Harrison, editor of honestjohn.co.uk, said it was no surprise to see the BMW 3 Series pick up the award for the second year in a row.

He said: “This is the last year this version of the 3 Series will be eligible for the award, but with the new 3 Series model coming in second place, it shows just how strong BMW is in this market. We expect it to prove as popular with our users as the previous model thanks to its strong combination of ride, handling and fuel economy.”

Building on the previous Fleet World Honours announcements the BMW 3 Series also scooped top honours with the fleet media. Named ‘best compact executive’, BMW’s biggest selling model range was judged to be the most complete car on sale to fleets today.

Fleet World Editor, Steve Moody, said: ‘The 3 Series has proved itself on fleet in its first year to be a very fine executive car. Some of the lowest emissions in the sector, keen pricing and as always an excellent drive mean it ticks the box for most business users.’

The triple award for the BMW 3 Series range comes swiftly after it was named Autocar Asia Car of the Year 2013. Beating a shortlist of 59 cars the 3 Series scooped top honours from a panel of experts from China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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