BMW and Ford were among  the winners at the annual Association of Car Fleet Operators (ACFO) awards yesterday (Wednesday, October 31).

A capacity 250 ACFO members and their guests attended the annual awards where BMW won the fleet car of the year title for the first time with the 3 Series.

The German marque became just the fourth manufacturer in the 29-year history of the ACFO Awards to capture the honour, which has previously been dominated by Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

BMW made it a double triumph as the company retained the environmental initiative of the year award for its low-emission EfficientDynamics technology, which in recent years has been rolled out across the manufacturer’s model range.

It is the utilisation of that technology, notably in its best-selling 3 Series range, which propelled BMW to the ACFO Awards double.

Meanwhile, Ford, Britain’s number one supplier of vans, saw its pre-eminence in the light commercial vehicle sector underlined once again as fleet operators voted the Transit Connect and Transit, small van of the year and large van of the year respectively.

The Transit Connect Van was voted ACFO’s favourite small van for the tenth time in succession, while its Transit stablemate remained on the winner’s rostrum for the second consecutive year.

Vauxhall won the green vehicle of the year award with the Ampera, the manufacturer’s extended range electric vehicle and the 2012 European Car of the Year.

The fleet safety initiative of the year award was won by Volvo, while Alphabet were named fleet service company of the year.

ACFO chairman Julie Jenner (pictured) 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 - Volvo Pedestrian Airbag
Runner-up - Ford Focus Driver Assistance Pack

Fleet Service Company of the Year

Winner - Alphabet GB
Runner-up - Marshall Leasing

Environmental Initiative of the Year

Winner - BMW EfficientDynamics
Runner-up - Ford EcoBoost engine range

Small Van of the Year

Winner - Ford Transit Connect
Runner-up - Volkswagen Caddy

Large Van of the Year

Winner - Ford Transit
Runner-up - Mercedes Sprinter

Green Vehicle of the Year

Winner - Vauxhall Ampera
Runner-up - BMW 320d EfficientDynamics

Fleet Car of the Year

Winner - BMW 3 Series
Runner-up - Ford Focus

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