Fuel Saving eco:drive Takes Top Digital Award

SLOUGH, UNITED KINGDOM – March 31, 2009: It’s saving motorists’ money, helping to lower CO2 emissions and improving fuel efficiency, and now Fiat’s innovative eco:Drive technology has won a top award.

It took first prize recently in the hotly contested Digital Technology category at the MediaGuardian Innovation Awards hosted by TV presenter Lauren Laverne at London’s Sketch restaurant.

Launched by Fiat at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, eco:Drive is a free-of-charge tool that helps drivers understand the impact of their driving style on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Using a USB stick plugged into the car’s dashboard, eco:Drive records detailed information about the vehicle and how it is driven, which can be uploaded on to a computer. It then gives an analysis of the driver’s performance, along with suggestions on how to improve efficiency even further by changing driving style.

“We are delighted to receive this award from the Guardian for Digital Technology,” says Claudio Annicchiarico, Head of Digital Fiat UK. “I think our eco:Drive technology shows Fiat’s commitment to customers goes that extra mile and provides them with cutting edge technology which can help save money and have a direct impact on emissions.

“eco:Drive is the very latest in digital integrated technology. It’s an easy-to-use computer application that connects your car to your PC. It’s the first time that an automotive brand has launched an interactive technology that helps its customers improve their style of driving in order to help preserve the environment."