It has been an impressive 2012 for Peugeot – and its efforts have been rewarded as it picked up the City Car Manufacturer of the Year award at this year’s GreenFleet Awards.

Beating off strong competition from the likes of MINI, Volkswagen and Fiat, Peugeot took the title at the awards ceremony held at the Emirates Stadium in London.

One of the keys to the manufacturer’s success was its determination to bring down the emissions of its fleet. According to Colin Boyton, the marketing manager for GreenFleet, the manufacturer particularly caught the eye with the new 208 (pictured). The Peugeot 208, which was launched in June, is more aerodynamic than the model it replaced – the Peugeot 207 – and has already attracted more than 15,000 orders.

 “Peugeot has had an impressive year in 2012, with the introduction of some cracking new models, and none more so than the new 208,” he said.

 “With every diesel model coming in at sub 99g/km, and even as low as 87g/km, it was a natural choice for the judges.”

Peugeot has placed a strong emphasis on green technology throughout the year – introducing vehicles with CO2 outputs as low as 87g/km; a new low CO2 three-cylinder petrol engine; stop and start technology; and more. It has also looked at electric and diesel-electric hybrid vehicles.