On Friday, 27th January, 2006, Renault President and CEO Carlos Ghosn was officially handed the Car of the Year 2006 award for Clio III by the President of the Car of the Year Jury, Ray Hutton.

The Car of the Year 2006 prize-giving ceremony for Renault Clio III was held at the Palazzo Albergati, in Bologna, Italy.

The third generation of an ongoing success story, Clio III is Renault's sixth model to win the Car of the Year title since the award was founded in 1964.

"Clio III took the title this year after a very close contest to become the first model to achieve the double," recalled the Car of the Year Jury's President Ray Hutton in his opening speech. "Clio was particularly appreciated for its quality, safety, comfort and space," he explained before hailing Carlos Ghosn's contribution to the success of the Renault-Nissan Alliance and expressing his thanks to the President and CEO of Renault: "Carlos Ghosn not only turned Nissan round but made it into one of the world's most profitable car companies. His reward: to take charge of Renault as well as Nissan."

Addressing the members of the Jury and their President, Carlos Ghosn said: "On behalf of all Renault employees, I am very honoured to receive the most prestigious trophy in the European automobile world in the past 43 years."

Since going on sale across Europe in mid-October 2005, Clio III has enjoyed an enthusiastic reception from customers and has got off to a highly promising start. Clio III emerged as the leading B-segment model during the last quarter of 2005 with a market share of 10.5% (11% for the month of December 2005). "There is no doubt that the prize given by a demanding and expert jury gives Clio III an additional boost," added Renault's President and CEO.

Acclaimed in the European countries in which it is sold for its dynamic and attractive design, Clio III's other strengths include driving pleasure, record cabin space and excellent active and passive safety. Interior and exterior build quality were also particularly appreciated by customers in the United Kingdom and Germany.

Carlos Ghosn concluded by underlining that winning the Car of the Year award was no stroke of luck, "but the result of rigorous processes, focused on customer satisfaction," he said. "They will be enhanced in the next years to improve our performance."