DAF’s new generation truck range has been awarded International Truck of the Year 2022 (IToY).
The DAF XF, XG and XG⁺ range was chosen by a jury of 24 commercial vehicle editors and senior journalists at the recent Solutrans truck and transport exhibition in Lyon, France.
DAF was also honoured the 2022 Truck Innovation Award for its XF hydrogen fuel cell model.
The judgment relies on a range of criteria, including technological innovation, comfort, safety, driveability, fuel economy, environmental ‘footprint’ and total cost of ownership.
“DAF is the first truck manufacturer to introduce a completely new generation of trucks that has been developed with the new European regulations for truck masses and dimensions in mind,” IToY jury chairman Gianenrico Griffini says.
“The result is a series of highly attractive and very aerodynamic trucks which features class-leading efficiency, safety and driver comfort. The new XF, XG and XG⁺ offer excellent direct visibility provided by a large, curved windscreen, side windows with low beltlines and the kerb-view window.
“These features, along with the digital vision system that replaces the traditional side view mirrors and the new corner view camera, offer all-around view, protecting vulnerable road users,” Griffini says.
“With the introduction of its new generation trucks, DAF has delivered a high-tech, heavy-duty vehicle range that sets a new benchmark in the industry. In addition, it is future-oriented, as it also represents a complete and very energy efficient platform for new generations of alternative energy carriers and drivelines,” he says.
A team effort
The award was presented to DAF Trucks president Harry Wolters who dedicated it to the more than 12,000 DAF employees worldwide.
“This unique achievement is a true team effort. The new generation XF, XG and XG⁺ represents the largest innovation project in the over 90-year history of our company.
“It is the result of thoroughly listening to our customers and their drivers, having a clear vision about the future of durable and sustainable transport solutions and always going the extra mile to deliver the best possible transport solutions.
“Indeed, we are the first truck manufacturer that fully utilises the new European regulations regarding truck masses and dimensions to deliver unique benefits to our customers,” Wolters says.
Truck innovation award
Acknowledging the innovation award prize for the XF model, DAF product development executive director Ron Borsboom says the company is committed to exploring the full suite of technologies to decarbonise transport and mobility over the next decade.
“Hydrogen technology may become a very interesting option for the future, next to battery electric solutions which we already offer today and hybrid trucks which we have under development.
“Being honoured with the Truck Innovation Award 2022 also demonstrates that there is still a promising future for the internal combustion engine (ICE) for which new generations of carbon neutral fuels are on the horizon.
“It is important to understand that bringing an end to the use of fossil fuels should by no means automatically result in a ban on internal combustion engines, especially in the heavy duty long haul transport segment.”
“H2-ICE means that in many areas use can be made of an existing distribution network of fuel stations. And let’s put more value in the fact that we in Europe have extensive knowledge and a manufacturing footprint in this technology,” Borsboom says.
