This is the first time an A-segment car has won this prestigious accolade, and takes Fiat Auto's victories to five in the last 10 years.
The European 'Car of the Year' award was instituted in 1964. To be eligible for the award, a car must have been marketed in at least five different European countries in the course of the year.
Parameters assessed are design, comfort, safety, fuel economy, driveability, performance, practicality, price, and value for money. And oh, respect for the environment is also a factor.
The new Panda comes with two petrol engine options (54 bhp 1100 CC/60 bhp 1200 CC) and a 70 bhp 1300 CC 16v Multijet diesel, and is packed with features like electronic skid control, CD player and remote central locking with a fold-away key and what have you.
The new Panda was a make-or-break model for Fiat, and now, with the European COTY award, it should hopefully be able to change the Italian major's fortunes. Congratulations, Fiat!
Hero worship
Hero Motors has signed an agreement with Italian two-wheeler major and Europe's second-largest two-wheeler manufacturer, Aprilia.
Under the agreement, Hero and Aprilia will work together to design scooters for the Indian market, about 30 per cent of which will be bought back by Aprilia for European and Asian markets.
Hero says they will be working on 75 CC, 92 CC, two 125 CC and 177 CC platforms, with the latter intended primarily for export. The first product is likely to hit the roads by October 2004 and it may be called Sonic
