Fiat Group Automobiles SpA has received the prestigious Companybest 2006 prize in Budapest for the extraordinary results achieved this year. All credit to a long-term strategy bolstered by the introduction of new products and by a severe cost containment policy. The Group thus readies itself for future challenges with renewed commitment and determination.

Autobest amongst emerging markets, is the motoring organisation of the emerging markets of Europe. It was established in 2001 in Bucharest, Romania by a group of leading motoring writers drawn from nine countries of Europe: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, Malta, Romania, Slovakia, Turkey. Today the Autobest jury membership is drawn from fourteen countries. Poland, Ukraine, Czech Republic and Russia have all joined the jury but Malta has been discounted because of the unreliable of the representing journalist. Hungary is the newest member, it joined Autobest jury in January 2007.

For the time being the jury is expanding its number of members, after a careful selection, from the top motoring journalists of other emerging countries. So far, within the fourteen countries represented in the Jury, Autobest now addresses total market of more than 250 million people. It is rightly considered by the automotive industry and customers as being the second biggest independent European motoring jury.
 

This is not the first win within Fiat as Alfredo Altavilla, then the CEO of Tofas, won the Manbest 2005 award. This year though the jury awarded Fiat Auto the prestigious honour of Companybest 2006. The jury commented that this was awarded for: "the outstanding results announced by the company for this year. The executives of Fiat proved that a coming back is always possible with clear vision about the future, good products and dedication in keeping the costs down and strictly following healthy company policies. Even more, the new commitment announced by Fiat for the next years until the end of the decade are great, showing not just a fantastic recovery but preparing the ground for an astonishing success story of the 21st century car industry," the jury concluded.