This victory confirms the trend across the UK fleet market for fleet operators and individual drivers to opt for lower medium sector models as their car of choice, with the Golf now following Vauxhall Astra (2005 and 2006 winner) and Ford Focus (2004 winner). Until then upper medium sector vehicles dominated the 24-year history of the ACFO Awards with the Volkswagen Passat having been among past winners.

The recognition of the Volkswagen Golf as the 2007 ACFO Car of the Year is a clear indication that fleets are continuing to downsize to more fuel efficient, CO2-friendly models, which are still able to undertake the wide range of tasks expected of company cars. In particular, build quality and depth of model choice are key factors in the members’ voting.

ACFO chairman Julie Jenner said: “These Awards continue to represent the true face of fleet operations, rather than showroom appeal. Once again, voting by ACFO members was highly competitive with more car models than usual gaining numbers of votes, thereby further underlining the increasing flexibility of company car choice lists to meet the many forms of fleet demand. A similar picture came across in the voting patterns for the two van categories.”

In the van classes, fleet decision-makers continue to recognise the excellence of the Ford Transit Connect and the ubiquitous Ford Transit. The Transit Connect has been named Fleet Light Van of the Year for the fifth time while, for the 13th year in succession, the Transit is ACFO’s Fleet Panel Van of the Year.

The Awards will be presented to the relevant manufacturers at a dinner to be held on Wednesday, 28th November, 2007.