Fleet operators’ association, ACFO, has said its members are sending a clear message that they favour the most environmentally-friendly vehicles.

The comments will be made at the association’s annual awards dinner, where it will be announced that Volkswagen and Ford have retained their respective ACFO car and van of the year award titles.

Ford scored a double win, with its Transit Connect named fleet light van of the year for the sixth time while, for the fourteenth year in succession, the Transit won the fleet panel van of the year” award.

Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Golf range won the ACFO fleet car of the year award for the second time after making the breakthrough to top spot last year.

The awards will be presented by ACFO chairman Julie Jenner, who said: “By voting for a lower medium sector model as ACFO car of the year for the fifth year in succession, fleet operators are sending a clear message to government that companies are looking to operate the most environmentally-friendly vehicles available subject to them being fit-for-purpose and offering excellent whole-life costs.

“With the onset of recession, cost management is the number one priority for fleet decision-makers and the trio of winners all offer value for money.”