Audi load up with honours.

AUDI have just notched up a record batch of awards including the Company Car of the Year for the A6.

They have become the first car maker to land this title and the Fleet Manufacturer of the Year award in the same year.

Two other Audis, the A3 Sportback and the A8 also took honours in the premium medium and luxury sectors, while the A4 was highly commended in the premium upper medium sector.

Vauxhall's new Astra also won plaudits at The Fleet News Awards.

Judges voted the new Astra the best Lower-Medium Fleet Car of the Year and praised its design, styling and desirability.

They also highlighted the strong engine range, body style options, improved quality and low running costs.

The judges said: 'If an award was based on design alone, then the Astra would have taken the honours easily, but it was a hard fight to come out on top, which makes this crucial award all the more well deserved.'

The award was presented to fleet brand manager Paul Adler in front of an audience of 1400 guests at the Fleet News Awards dinner at Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

A new Sport Hatch version of the Astra - with coupA-like styling but hatchback practicality - goes on sale next month, joining the estate and powerful new CDTi diesel derivatives which were launched last autumn. Maurice Howkins, Vauxhall and Saab fleet sales director, said: 'New Astra is an exceptionally strong seller in the fleet market and this is further recognition of what an outstanding new model it is.

'And this is without the benefit of the visually stunning three-door Sport Hatch which launches next month.'

CAPTION(S):

A6: Best of company; WINNER: Vauxhall Astra