Ray Hutton: “New
Panda proves that an inexpensive car does not have to do with the
comforts, conveniences and, most of all, the safety provisions of
bigger cars."
 There
was a time when Fiat’s presence here to collect the Car of the
Year award was almost routine. Fiat and its associate marques Lancia
and Alfa Romeo won the Car of the Year 10 times in the first 40 years
of the contest.
But things are different today and as everyone here knows, Fiat has
been through difficult times recently. A year ago not many bookmakers
would have given odds on Fiat winning the Car of the Year. Now, the
New Panda shows that Fiat may be on its way to a product-led recovery.
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Herbert Demel:
“What has been awarded here is not just a car, it is most
probably also the great tradition based upon more than 100 years of
history.”
 First
of all I would like to tell you that I am extremely pleased to be
here tonight, in the fascinating setting of this prestigious venue
in Paris for the ceremony of the 2004 edition of “Car of the
Year” awarded to Fiat Panda.
It is a special occasion for me as some of you may know, the news
of winning of the Panda’s win reached Turin on the very day
I entered for the first time the Fiat Auto Headquarters at Mirafiori
in Turin.
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Gianni Coda: “The
Fiat Panda is a car designed and built with the latest technologies
that has a lively character, inmediately recognisable styling, and
also is flexible, practical and unusually roomy inside for its category.”
 Please
allow me to thank our C.E.O., Herbert Demel, for having underlined
that this award recognises the hard work and commitment of the entire
company. Which is why, on behalf of everyone who has worked on the
Panda project, I would like to express our pride and satisfaction
at being the stars of this event.
We are proud to have produced a car that has won the approval of what
is certainly considered the most expert jury.
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to R, Christophe Veyrin-Forrer, president of CotY Organizing
Committee, Dr. Herbert Demel and Ray Hutton.