Mercedes, BMW and DVLA win big at awards
The DVLA was voted Fleet Service Company of the Year while Mercedes won Fleet Car of the Year title for first time
The DVLA was perhaps a surprise winner of the Award, but secured the most votes among ACFO members ahead of more than 20 other nominated service suppliers. Its success was recognition of the engagement with fleet decision-makers over the ongoing implementation of a range of online solutions for the corporate sector.
ACFO chairman John Pryor said he was “personally delighted” that the DVLA had triumphed and believed it was recognition for the Swansea-based Government agency’s approach to working closely with members to establish new online tools including: driver licence validation checks, V5C vehicle registration certificate (log book) access and a vehicle enquiry service.
Mr Pryor said: “The DVLA recognised that the introduction of online services was a major but welcome move for fleets in reducing administration, but simultaneously accepted that it was vital that system functionality was easy to use and delivered benefits.
“The Award is well deserved and I hope other Government agencies and departments learn from the DVLA’s approach of working closely with ACFO and listening to members’ views to ensure all new systems work effectively and efficiently.”
Meanwhile, the changing shape of the UK company car market was further reflected as Mercedes-Benz won the Fleet Car of the Year Award for the first time with the A-Class overcoming the challenge of almost 20 other models that received ACFO members’ votes.
In time with this weeks Road Safety Week Initiative, the AA’s ‘Think Bike’ campaign supported by Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman and 20 times Isle of Man TT winner John McGuinness won the Fleet Safety Initiative of the Year Award. The motoring organisation distributed one million stickers to drivers as a reminder to do a ‘double-take’ in their mirrors for cycles and motorcycles in their blind spots. Failure to look properly is the most commonly cited (42%) contributory factor in UK road accidents, adding further weight to the need for road users to have greater awareness of each other.
The Awards, which are voted online exclusively by the ACFO membership, are highly prized because unlike many other awards they reflect the day-to-day operational experience and expertise of fleet decision-makers. The full list of winners:
Fleet Service Company of the Year (sponsored by Skoda)
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
Fleet Car of the Year (sponsored by Marshall Leasing)
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Small Van of the Year (sponsored by Movex)
Volkswagen Caddy
Large Van of the Year (sponsored by Lombard)
Ford Transit
Green Vehicle of the Year (sponsored by Arval)
BMW i3
Fleet Safety Initiative of the Year (sponsored by Omnia)
AA ‘Think Bike’ sticker campaign
Environmental Initiative of the Year (sponsored by TMC Barclaycard)
BMW i3
