BMW 3 Series proclaimed Best Fleet Car

The BMW 3 Series has been named Best Fleet Car 2009 in the annual Fleet World Honours. BMW’s biggest selling model range eclipsed stiff competition from the likes of Audi and Mercedes to scoop top honours.

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. The judging panel consists of journalists and industry experts who use residual value, maintenance cost, reliability and market value data from a variety of independent sources to determine the winners.

George Emmerson, chairman of the judges, said: “The BMW 3 Series was a unanimous choice for Best Fleet Car. Many fleet drivers will see the BMW badge as reason enough to request a 3 Series, but fleet managers will also be aware that running costs and specifications are as good and often better than many of its competitors.”

Ken Rogers, Fleet World editor, said: “The current 3 Series is still the car that is aspired to above all others in the company car market. Not only is it a beautifully engineered product, it is one of the most satisfying and refined driver’s cars on the market. BMW’s EfficientDynamics technology means that the diesel-engined variants in particular tick all the right boxes in the fleet market. A deserving winner in a very competitive segment.”

The BMW 3 Series is a class-leading car offering owners an unsurpassed blend of high performance, great fuel economy and low emissions. BMW has the highest proportion of vehicles in the premium segment below the160g/km CO2 tax break. The future introduction of further EfficientDynamics-inspired BMW 3 Series variants within the next 12 months, offering business users the possibility of a 13 per cent benefit in kind rating, will cement the model’s position for fleet managers.

Steve Chater, BMW Corporate Sales Manager, said: “We are delighted with the recognition 3 Series has received from the fleet market. The model range has been at the top of fleet choice lists for a long while. The development and launch of new low emission 3 Series models within a year will mark the next significant step of BMW’s EfficientDynamics programme.”