1. Award for Best Vehicle Sales Achievement in 2006 – Winner - Ford Focus

2006 saw sales of foreign brands increase by 65% year on year. The Focus is impressive because there is an evident respect to the Russian consumer – because the Focus is the same technology here in Russia as it is throughout Europe.  Even when the Focus 2 technology was launched in Europe it was brought into Russia within 3-4 months afterwards – which shows a commitment to providing the

Most sophisticated car produced in Russia technically speaking.  It has the broadest spectrum of options on it – so the consumer appeal is vast.

Henrik Nenzen, President, Ford Russia collecting the award

2. Award for Best New Vehicle Launch in Russia 2006 - Winner - Renault Logan

On time – they promised a product and it arrived.  The right product launched at the right time for the right market – it is a budget car – the people’s car – at the right price.  They invested early enough to get good sales results in their very first year.  On his first visit to Russia in 1997 the then CEO Louis Schweitzer

Jean-Michel Jalinier, General Director, Renault Avtoframos collecting their award

3. Award for Innovation - Winner - Magna/AvtoVAZ

New low cost car project which has very ambition plans to fulfil a capacity of 450,000 cars p.a.  This is an entirely new concept car for the Russian market which will be of proper quality.

VAZ is the flagship of the Russian automotive industry.  Magna is a dynamic international company.  They are the first western company to enter into real design and engineering co-operation with Russians – especially for a complete car.  It is truly the 2^nd appearance of Magna in the CIS after their established JV in Ukraine over 20 years ago.

Alexander Navolozki, General Director, Magna International Russia collecting the award

4. Award for Best M & A Deal of 2006 - Winner: GAZ acquisition of LDV

This deal is part of the GAZ Group strategy to become a global automaker. Their aim is to expand in to the international market by obtaining new technologies and entering into alliances with foreign automotive corporations

It is the first time a Russian entity bought an international company – it put Russia on the map as people in the UK or the US were aware that Russians were ready to make acquisitions.  It was a good example of a strategy for Russian companies – that they should be acquiring abroad – not just sitting back and letting the westerners come in.  It should be a trend broadly speaking for the future.

Erik Eberhardson collected the award for GAZ Group during the course of the gala evening.

5. Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Russian Components Market – Winner – Amtel Vredestein

Amtel-Vredestein N.V. is the leading European tyre producer and Russia’s largest manufacturer of passenger car tyres.  John Rose, Head of PR/IR accepted the award on behalf of Amtel-Vredestein saying. "We are especially proud to receive this award from our peers in the automotive industry because they understand best of all what tremendous commitment and hard work is required by everyone in our organization to achieve this success", said Rose. "We receive a lot of awards for our products, but this one is really for everyone at the company".

Amtel-Vredestein N.V. is a leading European tyre producer and Russian number one passenger tyre manufacturer. The Company sells passenger car tyres under the VREDESTEIN, AMTEL and MALOYA brands manufactured at its facilities in Enschede, Netherlands; Kirov, Moscow and Voronezh, Russia. The company's AV-TO subsidiary is Russia's number one automotive retailer and the leading tyre and auto parts distributor.

John Rose collecting the award on behalf of Amtel Vredestein

6. Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Russian Automotive Industry – Winner - Henrik Nenzen - Ford Russia

The pioneer effect of Ford created a cascade of interest in Russia – they kicked off the market by establishing the first Foreign OEM local production plant, they tried out the Russian government incentives under decree 135 and now 166 – Ford showed the industry how to use it and then told the Government how to improve it.  Through an aggressive marketing policy, introduction of western sales standards, customer standards, tools, Ford have come to be the most successful international OEM in Russia to date.

Personally – he has shown outstanding efforts and levels of achievements not only at Ford but also through his involvement in all aspects of the development of the industry through the automotive manufacturers committee of the AEB – motorshows, governmental lobbying. 

His drive and enthusiasm and the fact that no matter what the situation is he is always positive makes him a worthy winner of this award.  In addition, he has supported the Adam Smith Conference since the beginning and is always listed as the best speaker.

Henrik Nenzen collecting his 2^nd award of the evening

We would like to thank the speakers’ panel for their contribution to these awards,  Andreas Romanos, CEO, Association of European Businesses who hosted the awards ceremony and Professor Carl Hahn, Chairman Emeritus, Volkswagen AG who presented the winners with their award.