DAF’s new generation XF, XG, and XG+ trucks has been elected International Truck of the Year (ITOY) 2022 by a jury of 24 commercial vehicle editors and senior journalists, representing 24 major trucking magazines from throughout Europe.
Based on the ITOY rules, the annual award is presented to the truck introduced into the market in the previous 12 months, which has made the most significant contribution to road transport efficiency. This judgement relies on several critical criteria, including technological innovation, comfort, safety, driveability, fuel economy, environmental ‘footprint,’ and total cost of ownership (TCO). The previous three winners of the award were MAN (2021), Mercedes-Benz (2020), and Ford Trucks (2019).
With a winning score of 150 votes, the DAF long-haul heavy-duty truck range fought off the challenge posed by Iveco’s recently-launched T-Way construction series and Mercedes-Benz’s battery-electric eActros (second generation).
DAF is the first truck manufacturer to introduce a completely new generation of trucks that has been developed taking into account the new European regulations for truck mass and dimensions. This has resulted in a range of vehicles with significantly improved aerodynamics, fuel efficiency, active and passive safety, and comfort for the driver. The new generation DAF constitutes a completely new vehicle platform, one that is fully prepared for the alternative battery-electric and hydrogen drivelines of the future that are currently being developed at DAF.
During recent extended test drives in Spain and central Europe, the ITOY jury members appreciated the excellent visibility provided by a large, curved windscreen, side windows with low beltlines and the kerb-view window. According to the jury, these features, along with the digital vision system that replaces the traditional rear mirrors and the new corner view camera, offer excellent all-around visibility, protecting vulnerable road users.
The IToY journalists also praised the performance of the new highly efficient powertrains, based on the Paccar MX-11 and MX-13 engines, coupled with Traxon automated gearbox, and the advanced features of predictive cruise control with extended Eco-roll functionalities.
Gianenrico Griffini, chairman, ITOY, commented: “With the introduction of the new generation, DAF has delivered a high-tech heavy-duty truck range that sets a new benchmark in the truck industry. In addition, it is future-oriented, as it also represents a complete platform for new generations of alternative drivelines.”
The award was handed over to Harry Wolters, president of DAF Trucks, during the press day of the Solutrans Commercial Vehicle and Bodybuilder Show in Lyon, France.
“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. It is good to be the first – it is even better to be unique,” said Harry.
DAF started the series production of the new generation of trucks in November 2021 in Eindhoven. The official ‘Job One’ truck – a red XG+ with a 12.9 litre Paccar MX-13 engine – was presented to Verbeek Agra Vision, a Dutch company which specialises in the domestic and international transport of poultry and eggs using a fleet of 30 vehicles, 25 of which are DAFs.