The inaugural Truck of the Year Australasia award has been presented and Kenworth has come out on top
Day one of the Brisbane Truck Show proved to be extra sweet for the team at Paccar, with its Kenworth K220 being named the Truck of the Year Australasia winner against some tough competition.
The award was presented to recently appointed Managing Director of Paccar Australia Damian Smethurst who was more than happy to accept the title from a field that including the Fuso Shogun 510, the MAN TG3 and the Iveco S-Way.
“I am proud to accept the inaugural Truck of the Year Australasia award on behalf of PACCAR Australia,” Smethurst said.
“This award also belongs to our valued customers who, as a result of close collaboration with our Product Planners and Engineering teams, represent such an integral part of our product development projects.”
Based on the International Truck of the Year (IToY) rules, the annual award was presented to a truck introduced into the Australasian market in the past year, which has made the most significant contribution to road transport safety and efficiency.
The judging relies on several critical criteria, including technological innovation, comfort, safety, driveability, fuel economy, environmental ‘footprint,’ and Total Cost of Ownership.
“The Kenworth K220 is a massive step change for the Kenworth brand here in Australasia,” said Tim Giles, Editor of PowerTorque Magazine* and 2023 chair of the ToYA jury.
“The K Series has been with us for a long time, evolving time after time, but both the K 200 and definitely the K 220, have seen complete transformations of a classic truck design.
“There are a load of new innovations in this truck, too many to list here but multiplex wiring, sophisticated electronics and the Eaton Endurant XD AMT stood out for the jury.”
The four contenders for the award all had strong claims to being included, having demonstrated their contribution, to the standards of safety and efficiency of transport of goods by road in Australasia.
“Creating a Truck of the year Australasia award gives us a chance to display to the world all of the things which are so great about trucks and trucking in Australia,” said Tim.
“The panel of judges include myself plus Dave McCoid, Editor of Trucking NZ, Charlene Clark, the Editor of Focus on Transport in South Africa, who is a member of the International Truck of the Year Innovation Award jury.
“There’s also Bob Woodward who has worked in the trucking industry for his entire career, both for Finemores and the Australian Trucking Association and then Randolf Kovich Editor of Deals on Wheels in New Zealand.”
The Truck of the Year Australasia is going to be an annual award, alternating between being presented in Australia one year and in New Zealand the next.
* PowerTorque Magazine is owned by Prime Creative Media, who also proudly own this site and a number of transport magazines in Australia (www.primecreative.com.au)