At a special ceremony hosted by the Lyon Chamber of Commerce, the Nissan NP300 Navara was announced as winner of the International Pick-up Award 2016 (IPUA). The presentation was made by Jarlath Sweeney, Chairman, International Van of the Year jury (IVOTY) to Philippe Guérin-Boutaud, Corporate Vice President, Global LCV Business Unit and Ponz Pandikuthira, Director of Light Commercial Vehicles for Nissan Europe, in the presence of Patrick Cholton, President, Solutrans, Lyon and Emmanuel Imberton, President, Lyon Chamber of Commerce.
Philippe Guérin-Boutaud, Corporate Vice President, Global LCV Business Unit and Ponz Pandikuthira, Director of Light Commercial Vehicles for Nissan Europe with IVOTY Chairman Jarlath Sweeney
Nissan has become third winner of this prestigious award, organised by members of the International Van of the Year jury after coming out on top following an extensive test drive programme over the Summer and into the Autumn in Spain, France, Norway and in the jury member’s home country. The new NP300 Navara scored 80 points in the voting process, independently adjudicated by the UK’s Road Haulage Association, with the new Mitsubishi L200 second on 47 points and the revised Ford Ranger third, on 39 points.
“In 2009, the award was established to acknowledge the Pick-up truck manufacturers that are deemed as making a major contribution to raising the standards of efficiency and the sustainability of transport with respect to the environment and safety of people,” explained Jarlath.
“This new batch of Pick-ups, launched this year, has transformed the sector with high levels of technology developed and installed as standard equipment. And with more newcomers preparing to enter the market in the next few years, augers well for both the industry and this competition as they will raise the profile of these special vehicles even more,” added the IVOTY Chairman.
Philippe Guérin-Boutaud, Corporate Vice President, Global LCV Business Unit stated on winning the Award: “This prestigious award celebrates Nissan’s 80 years of Pick-up expertise. Rigorous testing by IPUA illuminated the tough and innovative character of the all-new Navara.”
“Nissan is best known by its customers in Europe as the maker of capable 4x4s and breakthrough Crossovers. This new NP300 Navara represents the fusion of those two realms of excellence to deliver a truly breakthrough Pick-up truck that combines rugged 4×4 toughness with the sophistication and efficiency of a Crossover,” added Ponz Pandikuthira, Director of Light Commercial Vehicles for Nissan Europe. “I want to thank the Nissan employees across the globe that have helped us win this award and I am excited to see the NP300 Navara on the road,” he added.
Further details from Jarlath Sweeney, Chairman, IVOTY/IPUA – jarlath@fleet.ie
