Industry News from Yes Insurance

Car insurance customers with a love for well-designed cars may be interested to hear that the Fiat 500 has beaten off some tough competition to scoop a major gong.

The small car has been crowned 2009 Design Car of the Year at the New York International Motor Show.

A panel of 59 motoring journalists from around the globe whittled a shortlist of 51 vehicles down to three for the final of the competition.

Jaguar's XF and Citroen's C5 stood in the way of the Italian company's success, but the 500 held its own and took the award.

Head of design Roberto Giolito said the company was glad to have been honoured and felt it had been recognised for its continuing commitment to improving its products.

"Italian design has often been a step ahead of future trends in the automotive world and our latest models, spearheaded by the Fiat 500, are an expression of 'practical beauty'," he explained.

The company recently announced that any of its Mk1 or Mk2 Punto customers who had their brake pads replaced at a Fiat garage would get free replacements for as long as they own the car in question.

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