RESULTS of the 5th edition of “Okaz PR Arabia National Auto Award 2016/2017” were announced in a ceremony held on March 27 in Jeddah under patronage of Prince Abdallah Bin Souad and in the presence of Prince Sultan Bin Bandar Al Faisal, President of the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation, where he expressed his pleasure for the Award’s idea and its importance for the automotive sector in Saudi Arabia.
The ceremony was attended by Dr Waleed Jameed Kattan, Head of the Award’s Supreme Committee, regional managers of automotive companies in the Middle East, in addition to Engineer Mazen Batterjee, Vice-Chairman of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Secretary General of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hasan Dahlan, and a great number of car enthusiasts. Also present were senior executives from the Award’s strategic partner NCB – Al Ahli Lease Finance Program, and Shell Helix Motor Oils, the Award’s main sponsor.
The promotional campaigns lasted more than three months, and the number of votes reached more than 286,990, an increase of 34% from last year’s votes.
Last days of the voting registered high traffic, and focused on sports and super sports cars categories, media professionals, as well as motorsport categories.
The world’s driver Prince Abdulaiz Bin Turki Alfaisal received the title of “Best Motor Sport Driver” category in view of great accomplishments for Saudi Arabia in international races, especially at GT and endurance racings. A documentary was broadcasted showing the Prince’s achievements last season, which earned him many world titles, including the title of the “Best Motor Sport Driver” of this year’s Award edition.
Meanwhile, “Mahara Racing” gets the title of “Best Motor Sport Program” as being the best motorsport development initiative through an academy that discover talented motorsport youths and train them to be professional racers.
For the second consecutive year, Juffali Automotive Company clinched the most important award out of the Award’s special acknowledgements, where the company received the title of the “Best After Sale Services” category, following the company’s recognition by world’s leading companies, as well as getting the highest number of votes, which is a major breakthrough for the company her and the auto sector in Saudi Arabia.
Jameel Community won the “Best CSR Program” category in recognition of its corporate social responsibility programs.
The renowned Saudi journalist and social media specialist Ahmed Alshihri got the “Best Auto Journalist” category title in view of his large number of followers and his excellence in preparation and presentation of various auto programs.
Abdul Latif Jameel Co. Ltd., dealers of Toyota cars in Saudi Arabia, grabbed the “Best Marketing Campaign” award in acknowledgement of its 2016 marketing campaign. Wallan Trading Company received the “Best Digital Showroom” award in admiration of their Hyundai Digital Showroom in Riyadh.
The results of automotive awards are:
Category: Name of winner:
Best Pick Up — Isuzu D-Max
Best Family Sedan Car — Honda Accord
Best Sports Car — Lexus RCF
Best Luxury SUV Car – Maserati Levante
Best Family SUV Car — Mazda CX9
Best Medium Luxury Sedan Car — Mercedes E-Class
Best Large Luxury Sedan Car — Genesis G 90
Best Super Sport Car — Audi R8
In his speech at the ceremony, Dr. Waleed Kattan expressed his pleasure for chairing the Award’s Supreme Committee, and said the Award has proved itself as one of the most prestigious awards in the region’s auto sector. He also announced the launch of a national conference for the auto sector to discuss challenges facing it, and announced the transformation of the Award to be a comprehensive national award.
Dr. Kattan also noted that this year’s large number of voters reflects the great confidence of the public in the Award, and thanked the President of the Saudi Arabia Motor Federation for attending the ceremony and honoring the winners.
Furthermore, Dr. Kattan, thanked all Award’s sponsors and supporters both from the auto sector and the press for their support. He also thanked the members of the Award’s jury for their time and effort, and looked forward to their participation in the coming years.
Moreover, Dr. Kattan thanked PR Arabia for launching the Award which would spread the spirit of fair competition between car dealerships in Saudi Arabia, and assured that such competition would eventually be for the best interest of the customers — a goal everybody strives to achieve. — SG
