Far from a token gesture, the Firmenauto ‘Company car of the Year’ award is Europe’s largest independent comparison test. This year it involved 120 test drivers from all over Germany, 144 vehicles and 1,177 test-drives totalling 25,000 kms.

The 120 drivers were fleet managers representing various industries from breweries to globally active high-tech companies and they evaluated all of Europe’s fleet vehicles – compacts and mid-size – in areas such as ride and handling, functionality, comfort, design and value-for-money.

Firmenauto assembled the cars and test drivers in the historic German city of Dresden (also home of Volkswagen’s beautiful glass factory that assembles the Phaeton). For two days, the drivers tackled a pre-determined route, driving all cars over the same roads in a very scientific process.

In the end, Volkswagen’s all-new fifth generation Golf was a clear winner. Other Volkswagen Group vehicles, including the Volkswagen Touran compact MPV, Audi A6, Seat Altea and three Skoda models – the Fabia, Octavia and Superb also either won their category or placed in the top three positions.

According to Volkswagen Group Australia’s Managing Director, Mr Peter Nochar, the significance of the Firmenauto award should not be underestimated.

“In Europe, around one third of Volkswagen’s sales are fleet vehicles,” Mr Nochar revealed. “Globally, the significance of this award is that fleet buyers place the most stringent demands on their vehicles in terms of functionality, reliability and safety, so the conclusion of the 120 fleet managers who undertook this test programme is proof of the high standards Volkswagen insists for its vehicles.”

The fifth generation Volkswagen Golf lineup will be launched in Australia in September.