MILAN (ITALPRESS) – Dacia Duster has won the title of European Car 2025. The car was elected by members of the UIGA (Italian Union of Automotive Journalists), who first chose it from 27 models-strictly produced in Europe-whose commercialization began between Sept. 1, 2023, and Aug. 31, 2024, and then from among the seven finalists who competed for the prize during an event organized yesterday and today (Oct. 21 and 22) at the Milan headquarters of Bosch, a partner in the initiative. This is the first time the brand has won the Auto Europe title. Dacia Duster was honored by Fabrizio Giugiaro, who introduced himself driving a prototype of his own design and spoke about his company GFG’s future plans. “I am happy to be here to award the Auto Europa 2025,” said Giugiaro, “because it is one of the significant models in the European automotive industry, which stands out for a very interesting styling trend. The designer in these times is very important because it helps the brand to convey the personality and identity of the brand in an immediately perceptible way, especially at this stage when few people are daring. “Dacia overcame fierce competition from the seven finalists: Alfa Romeo Junior, Bmw X2, Lancia Ypsilon, Maserati Grecale Folgore, Mini Countryman and Toyota C-HR. The reason why Dacia Duster was chosen by automotive journalists is because the brand has made significant improvements in style, quality and range completeness, yet without sacrificing its traditional features such as affordability and practicality, thus not distorting the brand’s identity. For Giulio Marc D’Alberton (Dacia/Mobilize Communication Manager), this is “an important recognition for us of what has been a long journey of brand renewal that has gone from low cost to value for money. New Duster best represents this new era for the House and is almost a brand within a brand, with strong recognition among the public. An award that gives credit to the work of an entire team and that for the first time has been awarded to Dacia. “The Auto Europa 2025 proclamation event was attended by many key players in the automotive world: in addition to Bosch, there were representatives from PointS, Drivalia and Asi as well as authoritative industry experts such as Sergio Savaresi of the Milan Polytechnic and Enrico Bonizzoli of Beyond.In addition to the Auto Europa 2025 award, prizes were also awarded to the cars chosen by opinion leaders and the popular jury, who voted their preferences on the website provided by the UIGA. BMW X2 was chosen by the jury of opinion leaders: presenting the award was Michela Cerruti, former professional driver also in Iarno Trulli’s Scuderia in Formula E and winner of numerous European races. Today Michela is owner and general manager of Romeo Ferraris. “I believe,” she explained, “that the lowest common denominator of the seven finalists is the focus on comfort and safety systems, rather than pure performance, to have the most complete driving experience possible. After all, today the bar has been raised and all models also have high-level entertainment and safety proposals. “Alfa Romeo Junior was preferred by the popular jury and the cup was presented to it by Maurizia Bagnato, director of Innovation and Sales at Bosch. Maurizia has for several years been one of the managers best prepared to interpret the new role that Bosch products have in the automotive world and beyond. “Auto Europa,” she said, “is a recognition for cars that offer innovative content in any segment, even for different judges, such as journalists, opinion leaders or the public. We are living a difficult moment, very competitive with new players, without clear regulatory strategies: the finalists of the award represent the top of European technology in the automotive world.” At the end of the event, Gaetano Cesarano (UIGA president), said that “once again it was exciting to lead this edition of Auto Europa, an award that highlights excellence and innovation in the automotive industry. All of the finalists represent, each in their own way, the future of mobility, with a mix of design, sustainability and technology that reflects the needs of an evolving market. The car awarded today as well as the other finalists are a guide to the different trends we will see on European roads in the coming years, as Auto Europa gives us a glimpse of our tomorrow, in which technology and sustainability will increasingly go hand in hand. We are proud to be able to make a contribution in charting the path to a more innovative and responsible future of mobility. Finally, I want to thank on the one hand all the journalists, opinion leaders and the popular jury who gave their verdict, on the other hand Bosch Itali who hosted the proclamation event again this year, and of course all the automakers who contributed with their models to make this edition so competitive and fascinating.”
photo: press office Uiga
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