Lancia Honored with AUTOBEST’s New ‘A Star is Back’ Award
- The new “A STAR IS BACK” award from AUTOBEST is presented to iconic brands and models which have made a successful comeback.
- This year, AUTOBEST’s international jury of 31 journalists from 31 European countries has recognized the Lancia brand and its successful Renaissance.
- Launched at the end of 2023 with the Concept Lancia Pu+Ra HPE, a new logo, and a new Brand Identity, the Renaissance is a 10-year strategic plan which aims at once again making Lancia a desirable, respected, and trustworthy brand within the European premium market.
- This solid and ambitious roadmap includes the release of an efficient lineup of three new models, beginning with the New Lancia Ypsilon released last February in hybrid and 100% electric configurations, which is currently being warmly received by both the public and international press.
- The new and exclusive Casa Lancia showrooms are an essential part of the Renaissance: there are currently 160 locations in Italy, while 70 of them are planned to open across major cities in France, Spain, Belgium-Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Germany by 2025.
After announcing the finalists of the “Best Buy Car of Europe 2025” award, AUTOBEST—the independent organization founded in 2001—had its international jury vote on and select the winners of six other prestigious awards, including “A STAR IS BACK”, the award presented to iconic brands and models which have recently made a successful comeback. In its first edition, the award was presented to Lancia in recognition of its Renaissance—the brand’s solid and ambitious roadmap which is once again making it a desirable, respected, and trustworthy brand in the premium European market. The Italian brand was selected by AUTOBRAND’s jury of 31 specialized journalists from 31 European countries. The 24th gala ceremony of the AUTOBEST Awards will be held in Zurich in 2025.
Dan Vardie, AUTOBEST founder and president, explains: “This is one of those rare moments in which the AUTOBEST jury decides to inaugurate a new award. “A STAR IS BACK” not only awards the rebirth of iconic brands and models, but also serves as proof of their future success.”
Luca Napolitano, Lancia CEO, states: “We are proud to receive this new and prestigious award which recognizes the passion and determination put in by the entire Lancia team. They are giving their all every day to write a new chapter in a legendary story which tells of timeless elegance, technological innovation, and sporting records. The success of our roadmap is underscored by the enthusiasm with which our new releases, our return to the rally world, and our new and exclusive showroom in various European markets have been embraced by the public and international press. Lancia is back!”.
Lancia’s Renaissance began in Italy at the end of 2023 with the presentation of the new logo, the introduction of the new Corporate Identity, and, most importantly, the launch of the Concept Lancia Pu+Ra HPE. The next phases came thick and fast in accordance with Stellantis “Dare Forward” strategic plan, which calls for an efficient lineup of three new models—one to be released every two years—and an accelerated internationalization process in various European markets. The first vehicle to be launched was the New Lancia Ypsilon, which is currently being warmly received by both the public and international press.
The first model of Lancia’s new era, the launch phase of the New Ypsilon has almost come to a conclusion in Italy across the 160 Casa Lancia, the new and exclusive showrooms sporting the brand’s new corporate identity. They have welcomed thousands of visitors and given them the chance to both get to know the complete lineup—available in Ypsilon, LX, and Cassina trims, all of which are available in hybrid or electric configurations—and partake in thrilling test drives to experience the vehicles’ unparalleled capabilities in terms of handling and efficiency.
Furthermore, an internationalization process is an essential part of Lancia’s Renaissance, which includes an initial network of 70 new showrooms in 70 major European cities. The first markets involved are France, Spain, Belgium-Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and, by 2025, Germany. All of these showrooms will feature the brand’s new corporate identity, which reflects the four pillars at the foundation of its strategic plan: quality, electrification, sustainability, and an innovative sales model.
Afterwards, 2025 will mark Lancia’s return to motorsports, as the brand seeks to reestablish its presence on the contemporary racing scene. The star of this comeback is the new Ypsilon Rally4 HF, which pays tribute to the glorious rally heritage of the most winning brand in history. Simultaneously, next year will be dedicated to the relaunch of the haloed HF name, which will first make an appearance on the Ypsilon and later show up on the Gamma and the new Delta with the “HF Integrale” label.
Lastly, the Gamma flagship will be launched in 2026 as the second vehicle in Lancia’s Renaissance and the cornerstone of its roadmap to the future. Conceived, designed, and developed in Italy, the new Lancia Gamma will be produced in the Italian Melfi plant and embody the Italian brand’s commitment to sustainability and high performance, in a celebration of the unmistakable elegance which has defined Lancia for decades.
Simona Magnarelli: +39 366 6729414 – simona.magnarelli@stellantis.com
Lancia
With 117 years of history, Lancia represents timeless Italian Elegance, a brand that made people around the globe dream, thanks to its iconic vehicles: the elegant Flaminia and Aurelia B24 Spider, the high-performance Delta, Stratos and 037, the eclectic Fulvia, the Beta HPE and many others.
Lancia embarked on its Renaissance with the launch of the New Lancia Ypsilon and with a 10-year strategic plan that is moving ahead in leaps and bounds.
Innovation and timeless design have always been the founding principles for the brand. And now sustainability, customer centricity and social responsibility have also become essential, because Lancia is determined to look to the future with great commitment and ambition.
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Turin, November 6, 2024