AM Awards 2016 - Manufacturer of the Year

A decade or two ago, the three-pointed star was still exclusively the preserve of those who had made a success of their career choice. People still climbing the lower rungs of their career ladder were not given much consideration.

Thanks to the introduction of its latest generation of small cars, the A-Class, CLA-Class, GLA-Class and B-Class, Mercedes-Benz now features on corporate fleets for young executives and wins retail custom from 30-something professionals. A consumer can get behind the wheel of a new Mercedes-Benz for as little as £300 a month. Moreover, the brand has such depth and breadth of well equipped products, from family cars, SUVs, coupés, convertibles and luxury transport, that the same consumer could remain a Mercedes-Benz customer for life.

Its AMG models boost the brand’s appeal further by providing the ultimate in outright performance and driving dynamics beneath bodyshells that still relate to its everyday models, as any halo model should.

The powertrains Mercedes-Benz has developed, including petrol, diesel and now plug-in hybrid, are extremely efficient and its on-board technology, for both occupant comfort and for safety, is market-leading. Combining these with such an easily recognised premium brand has proved to be a winning formula.

In declaring Mercedes-Benz Manufacturer of the Year, the AM Awards judging panel said: “It makes products people want, in every sector, with amazing quality, safety and environmental considerations.”