After months of preparation, Fleet News recognised the cream of the industry at a prestigious awards ceremony in the heart of London last night held each year to recognise the best manufacturers, service companies and fleet managers.

Trading conditions have got tougher recently, but the industry continues to rise to the challenges. Last night recognised those that have pushed themselves above the crowd by introducing fresh ideas and smart solutions and being totally committed to being the best.

A total of 29 awards were presented, including a first for 2002, the Fleet News Platinum Award recognising 'the best of the best' at the ceremony, now in its 14th year.

But it wasn't all work - after the awards' presentations, TV star Ardal O'Hanlon shared his own brand of Irish-tinged humour, followed by live music until the early hours from 'Jake & Elwood - The Blues Brothers Show'.

The 2002 Fleet News Awards

Car awards sponsored, by ARVAL PHH

Best Small Car
Winner: Renault Clio
Runners up: Peugeot 206, Vauxhall Corsa

Best Lower Medium Car
Winner: Ford Focus
Runners up: Volkswagen Golf, Vauxhall Astra

Best Upper Medium Car
Winner: Volkswagen Passat
Runners up: Renault Laguna, Ford Mondeo

Best Premium Upper Medium Car
Winner: Audi A4
Runners up: BMW 3-series, Volvo S60

Best Executive Car
Winners: BMW 5-series
Runners up: Jaguar S-type, Volvo S80

Best Luxury Car
Winner: Mercedes-Benz S-class
Runners up: BMW X5, Lexus LS430

Best Mini MPV
Winner: Vauxhall Zafira
Runners up: Renault Scenic, Citroen Xsara Picasso

Best MPV
Winner: Renault Espace
Runners up: SEAT Alhambra, Toyota Avensis Verso

Van awards, sponsored by BT Fleet Partners

Best Van under 1.8 tonnes
Winner: Citroen Berlingo
Runners up: Renault Kangoo, Peugeot Partner

Best Van over 1.8 tonnes
Winner: Ford Transit
Runners up: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Renault Trafic (joint 3rd), Vauxhall Vivaro (joint 3rd)

Supplier company awards

Best Contract Hire Company, sponsored by Toyota Fleet

Winner: Interleasing
Runners up: Alphabet, Lex Vehicle Leasing

Best Daily Rental Company, sponsored by Autoglass

Winner: Hertz Rent a Car
Runners up: National Car Rental, Avis

Best Risk Management Company, sponsored by Vauxhall

Winner: Peak Performance Management
Runners up: RAC Business Services

Best Disposal/Re-marketing Company, sponsored by Vauxhall

Winner: BCA Europe
Runners up: Manheim Europe

Best Environmental Initiative of the Year
Winner: TransportAction

Best Fleet Services Company
Winner: RAC Business Services
Runners up: Kwik-Fit Fleet, AA Business Services

Best Mobility Support Company, sponsored by Tyreserve

Winner: AA Business Services
Runners up: RAC Business Services, Kwik-Fit Fleet

Best Innovation of the Year, sponsored by Alfa Romeo UK

Winner: AA Business Services
Runners up: Chiswick Honda, ITIS Holdings

Best Online Solution of the Year
Winner: Inchcape Fleet Solutions
Runners up: Oasis Global Systems, ARVAL PHH

Best Company Car Tax Initiative of the Year, sponsored by Nissan

Winner: Interleasing
Runners up: Fleet Pro

Fleet Manager Awards

Fleet Risk Management Award, sponsored by Kwik-Fit Fleet
Winner: Alison Crump, Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics
Runners up: John Bradley, Hampshire Constabulary; Keith Filby, Sainsbury Supermarkets Limited; Graham Hine, Adult Learning Inspectorate; Keith O'Connor, Nightspeed Services.

Fleet Environmental Initiative Award, sponsored by BP Oil

Winner: Keith Filby, Sainsbury Supermarkets Limited
Runners up: Mary Blackwell, Yorkshire Building Society; John Bradley, Hampshire Constabulary; Janet Entwistle, BT Fleet Partners; Dug Brown, Somerfield Stores Ltd; Graham Hine, Adult Learning Inspectorate.

Fleet Manager of the Year, sub-100 vehicles, sponsored by Fiat Auto Fleet

Winner: Gill Garrett, Premiere Products
Runners up: Emma Baggaley, Microlise; Graham Hine, Adult Learning Inspectorate.

Fleet Manager of the Year, 101-250 vehicles, sponsored by Nationwide Network Services

Winner: Mary Blackwell, Yorkshire Building Society
Runners up: Diane Miller, Milgo Solutions.

Fleet Manager of the Year, 250-plus vehicles, sponsored by Peugeot Fleet

Winner: Keith O'Connor, Nightspeed Services
Runners up: John Bradley, Hampshire Constabulary; Keith Filby, Sainsbury Supermarkets Limited; Janet Entwistle, BT Fleet Partners; Richard Flint, Strathclyde Police; John Greenland, Orbis Property Protection Limited; Mick James, HSS Hire Service Group plc; Jimmy Jeffers, City Facilities Management; Steve Smith, SSL International; Murray Watson, Blick plc.

European Fleet Manager of the Year, sponsored by Volkswagen

Winner: Gareth Wilsher, AT&T

UK Fleet of the Year, sponsored by Northgate Vehicle Hire

Winner: Dug Brown, Somerfield Stores Ltd
Runners up: John Bradley, Hampshire Constabulary; Janet Entwistle, BT Fleet Partners; Keith Filby, Sainsbury Supermarkets Limited; Gerard Finn, Prudential plc; Graham Hine, Adult Learning Inspectorate; Jimmy Jeffers, City Facilities Management; Keith O'Connor, Nightspeed Services; Steve Smith, SSL International.

Fleet Manufacturer of the Year
Winner: Volkswagen

Fleet News Platinum Award, sponsored by Dow Automotive

Winner: BCA Europe