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DAF’s new XD series has been elected International Truck of the year 2023 by a jury of 24 commercial vehicle editors and senior journalists representing 24 major truck magazines throughout Europe. harald Seidel, President of DAF Trucks NV, was presented with the renowned award during a special ‘Stars of the year’ ceremony at the IAA Transportation exhibition in hannover, Germany.
With a winning score of 134 votes, the Dutch truck manufacturer’s new distribution range fought off tough challenges from Scania’s new Super long-haul driveline range and Mercedes-
DAF’s new XD series wins International Truck of the Year 2023 Award
2023 Truck Innovation Award for Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ eActros LongHaul
Benz’s heavy-duty Actros, equipped with the third-generation OM 471 engine. Based on the International Truck of the Year (IToY) rules, the annual award goes to the truck introduced into the market in the previous 12 months, making the most significant contribution to road transport efficiency. This judgment relies on several critical criteria, including technological innovation, comfort, safety, driveability, fuel economy, environmental ‘footprint,’ and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
With the same DNA as the new generation heavy-duty XF, XG, and XG+ models, DAF’s XD has taken full advantage of the EU’s new masses and dimensions regulations. The result is a truck range that dramatically improves direct visibility (a key factor for distribution vehicles), internal cab space, aerodynamics, fuel efficiency, active and passive safety, and driver comfort.
During launch test drives in the Netherlands, the IToY journalists appreciated the driving position and the all-round enhanced visibility provided by a large, curved windscreen, side windows with low belt-lines, and the kerb-view window. These features - along with the optional digital vision system that replaces the traditional rear view mirrors and the corner view mirror - improve the safety of vulnerable road users along congested urban roads. The IToY journalists also praised the performance of the new, highly efficient powertrain, which is based on the inline-six Paccar MX-11 engine, coupled with the ZF TraXon automated gearbox with advanced predictive features.
Summing up the jury vote, International Truck of the Year Chairman Gianenrico Griffini commented: “With the introduction of the new XD series, DAF has delivered a state-of-the-art distribution truck family that sets a new benchmark in the automotive industry. In addition, the new XD is also a suitable platform for the coming generation of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), introduced at the IAA Transportation.”
The new Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ eActros Longhaul – a concept prototype for heavy-duty long-distance transport, has won the 2023 Truck Innovation Award. The prestigious trophy was handed over to Karin Rådström, CEO Mercedes-Benz Trucks, during the IAA Transportation trade fair in hannover, Germany.
The Truck Innovation Award - which acknowledges the enormous technological changes and energy transition within the automotive sector - has been awarded by the International Truck of the Year (IToY) jury. This group comprises 25 commercial vehicle editors and senior journalists representing major commercial vehicle magazines from Europe and South Africa.
With a winning score of 112 votes, Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ battery-electric truck (BEV) was in contention for the main prize with ZF eTrailer, the full-electric Volta Trucks Zero, and Faun Enginius hydrogen fuel-cell powered vehicles for municipal applications. The jury praised the advanced characteristics of the eActros LongHaul, which employs fast-charging long-service life lithium-iron phosphate cell technology (LFP), and the speed of Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ R&D process. They also appreciated the compact dimensions of the tractor-unit, which, within a wheelbase of 4 metres, accommodates three battery packs with a total installed capacity of over 600 kWh and two electric motors, as part of a new e-axle, with a continuous output of 400 kW. Gianenrico Griffini, Chairman, International Truck of the Year said: “The Mercedes-Benz eActros LongHaul opens a new chapter towards e-mobility. It’s proof that the transition to CO2-neutral long-haul transport is an achievable target, relying on hi-tech solutions and continuous R&D efforts.”
SCANIA DEALER NETWORK SUPPORTING YOU NATIONWIDE SUPER-TROOPER!
Scania introduces new Powertrains
The new Scania Super engines include the new driveline to deliver 8% fuel savings Test drive these Demonstrator vehicles at your local Scania dealer.
Westward Scania Retail - Ireland. Strokestown, Roscommon (071) 96 34500
Cawley Commercials Knocknarea, Sligo (071) 91 69555
Mike Kelly Commercials PARTS & SERVICES Merlin Park, Galway (091) 778880
O’Mahoney Commercials PARTS & SERVICSES Thurles, Tipperary (0504 24290)
T Nolan & Son Castleisland, Kerry (066) 71 41140
Further Information: WESTWARD SCANIA IMPORTER IRELAND Email: Importer@westwardscania.com Telephone: (071) 96 34500
McElvaney Motors, Finglas, Dublin (01) 8361044
Delaney Commercials, Naas, Co. Kildare (045) 879932
A.O’C Commercials, Carrigtwohill, Cork (021) 4883322 KD (Garage) Services, Drinagh, Wexford (053) 91 45554
Ford Trucks unveils an electric truck supporting its ambitious goal: “50% of sales to Europe will be “Zero” emissions by 2030”
Ford Trucks next-generation, first 100% electric truck, developed with the aim of «being the road mate that cares about its customers and makes their businesses thrive”, stands out with advanced connectivity features and promises to be highly competitive in European markets with its attractive total cost of ownership’
The Ford Motor Company’s only global brand for heavy commercial vehicles, Ford Trucks, unveiled its first all-new electric truck at IAA Transportation 2022, in hannover, Germany.
Building on more than half a century of experience and product development of heavy trucks manufacturing in Turkey through Ford Otosan*, Ford Trucks presented its Generation F transformation programme, which includes zero emission transport solutions and connected, autonomous vehicles. As the winner of the prestigious IToY 2019 Award with its F-MAX heavy duty vehicle in 2018, Ford Trucks, which previously signed ACEA’s Declaration of Transition to Zero Emission Freight Transportation, recently announced its aim to sell only zero-emission heavy commercial vehicles by 2040. The Generation F movement, which includes 100% electric, connected, and autonomous vehicle technologies, means that Ford Trucks is now a step closer to its goals.
At the exhibition, Ford Trucks Vice President Serhan Turfan explained further: “With our Generation F movement, 50 percent of Ford Trucks sales in Europe will be zero-emission vehicles by 2030. As an innovative brand that listens to our customer’s needs, we focus our R&D to bring cutting edge next-generation technologies to the market. Our objective, therefore, is mainly to help reduce operating costs and carbon emissions in road transport while increasing fleet productivity,” he said.
“Strengthening our position in Europe is our top priority. By continuing to build on our success in our current markets, we plan to reach 50 countries by 2024 in Europe. In line with the EU’s Green Deal and Ford’s global sustainability goals, we are taking a big step towards our 2040 zero emissions target by expanding into European markets with our electric trucks. The next-generation all-electric truck offers many benefits in terms of energy, maintenance, and total ownership costs,” added Serhan.
Ford Trucks’ all-electric truck, which offers a payload of 18-26 tonnes, comes with excellent manoeuvrability and offers many benefits, including better monthly energy consumption compared to vehicles with internal combustion engines. For instance, energy costs will decrease by nearly half compared to current levels. Maintenance costs are also likely to drop by two-thirds, because electric vehicles have fewer moving parts that require maintenance. Many European countries also offer incentives for businesses to invest in electric vehicles. All these factors impact favourably on the total cost of ownership. The Ford Truck’s electric truck is forecast to offer a lower total cost of ownership over a 4-year period compared to that of diesel vehicles without any incentives and supports.
ConnecTruck offers new features that make life easier for drivers and fleet managers, by transforming its vehicles into data-driven, connected mobility products, equipped with next-generation technologies that will offer customers enormous benefits. The new technologies include features such as GPS cruise control and a multimedia system, making life easier for drivers and fleet managers with the aim of keeping the vehicles on the road and achieving 100% uptime.
Autonomous Technologies developed by Ford Trucks engineers includes “Level 4 Highway Pilot”, a self-driving technology which allows drivers to let their vehicles drive autonomously between H2H (hub-to-hub) logistics centres. As the most important cog in the transportation industry, Ford Trucks will now be able to offer safer, faster, more environmentally friendly, and, most importantly, significantly more reliable transportation. Remote Driving Technology by Ford Trucks is enabling drivers to remotely connect to the autonomous vehicle and assist the driving task in case of unexpected events where human intelligence is needed during an autonomous operation. Autonomous Reverse Parking is another technology developed by Ford Trucks, which simplifies docking procedures as the function enables autonomous truck to park itself to loading and unloading ramps just as an experienced truck driver.
*Ford Otosan is an automotive manufacturing company based in Turkey that is equally owned by Ford Motor Company and Koç Holding. It was established in its current form in 1977, with original relations dating back to 1928.
