THE Volkswagen Passat is the surprise joint winner of the Car of the Year title in the annual Association of Car Fleet Operators' Fleet Vehicles of the Year Awards. For the first time in the 16-year history of ACFO's Fleet Car and Vans of the Year Awards there was a tie for first place in the Fleet Car of the Year category. Results were announced at the show on Tuesday.

The Passat tied for top spot with the Vauxhall Vectra which, with its predecessor the Cavalier, has dominated the ACFO awards for a number of years. And Astravan won the Light Van Award, while the Ford Transit took the Panel Van trophy. ACFO said the first tie in the car award's history was indicative of there being 'no bad cars on the market any more'.

Chairman Tony Leigh said: 'The clear-cut decision for Astravan and Transit indicates a wide satisfaction with the in-service performance of these vehicles. The emergence of the Volkswagen Passat shows that in fleet operations, nothing can be taken for granted.'