VAUXHALL has scored a hat-trick of award wins at the prestigious Fleet Excellence Awards including the top award for Fleet Manufacturer of the Year. The new Astra was voted Fleet Car of the Year, while the estate version of the Vectra won the accolade for Estate Car of the Year.

The Awards were voted for by the 32,000 readers of Fleet Week, Fleet Management and What Van? Fleet magazines, who between them annually buy or specify many thousands of company cars and vans, and were presented at an awards ceremony at a top London hotel.

Vauxhall's achievement in winning the Fleet Manufacturer of the Year award reflected its position as best selling manufacturer in the fleet market in 2003, and in 2004 the manufacturer again claimed top spot with fleet sales of 223,058 for a 20.4% market share. The new Astra was voted New Fleet Car of the Year and described by the judges as a "paradigm shifting" new launch for Vauxhall.

A new sporty three-door version goes on sales in April, joining estate and powerful 150ps diesel derivatives which were launched last autumn. In recent years, it's been hard to get excited about Astra but that changed last May and looks set to continue this spring when the stylish three-door goes on sale.