The Association of Car Fleet Operators (ACFO) this week recognised the best in the company vehicle business during its 34th annual awards ceremony.

Held at St John's Hotel in Solihull in front of 200 ACFO members, the awards intend to benefit the cause of fleet operators as they seek to influence motor manufacturers, service providers and government agencies with the ultimate goal of shaping tomorrow's transport operations.

The much-sought title of Fleet Car of the Year was shared between the Skoda Superb and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

There was even more glory-sharing in the Fleet Service Company of the Year category with Licence Bureau and the AA being joint winners.

Mercedes-Benz could bask in 100 per cent of the glory when the Sprinter comfortably claimed the Large Van of the Year award and there were no surprises when the Ford Transit Connect won the Small Van of the Year award for the 13th year running.

Ricky McFarland, Head of Strategic Accounts, Mercedes-Benz Vans UK, reacted by saying: “It speaks volumes that the Sprinter continues to win awards, even as it gets towards the end of its production life. The ACFO Awards are especially rewarding as they are voted for by fleet operators themselves, proving our commitment to keeping businesses moving.”

Road safety charity Brake bagged its first ever ACFO award in 2016 for the Fleet Safety Initiative of the Year, and it repeated the win this year too.

Vehicle contract hire and fleet management company Marshall Leasing, which has provided more than 6,000 company vehicles, claimed its fourth ACFO gong with the Fleet Leasing Company of the Year title. In the final award presentation of the night, Tesla Model S was named Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle of the Year.

Ben Robb, brand manager at The Fuel Card People, comments: “It’s definitely awards season now and it’s easy to feel nonplussed with the amount of awards being handed out, but to the fleet industry, the ACFO Awards are a big deal.”