Volvo Trucks had three reasons to celebrate the Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year Awards 2017, in association with Corcra Communication. The Swedish brand scored category wins at both ends of its weight classification spectrum with the FH flagship winning the Heavy-duty tractor-unit segment with the 12-tonne FL taking the Medium-duty Distribution prize.
As announced by event MC Marty Whelan to the 860 attendees of the 10th annual Fleet Transport Awards, the Volvo FH was declared overall winner of the Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year 2017.
The other category victory was DAF Trucks with its CF, successful in the Distribution Heavy-duty class.
Following a two-day assessment exercise undertaken by the expert judging panel, the Volvo FH was deemed best due to its pleasant driving experience, enhanced by excellent visibility, lots of safety equipment on board and above average fuel economy. On the FL, the adjudicator’s motivations included – easy to drive, spacious cab, convenient entry and exit and that it had additional blind spot elimination aspects fitted.
Since launch in 2013, the Volvo FH has won numerous awards including the Irish Truck of the Year Award for 2014. Commenting on the FH winning the Irish Truck of the Year Award for the second time, Jarlath Sweeney, Group Editor, Fleet Transport and Chairman of the judging panel said; “Congratulations once again to Volvo Trucks on continuously improving their FH flagship relating to comfort and efficiency, safety and lower cost ownership. Driver acceptance is very good and they have a great presence on the road, enhanced by some interesting and colourful livery created by operators to suit the newly designed cab.”
Remarking on the DAF CF.310 with day cab, the judges commented that the introduction of the lower capacity PX-7 (6.7 litre) is significant in that it allows for higher payload and the day cab is very well equipped for drivers in the busy distribution sector.
Also on the night Dennison Trailers won the Trailer Innovation Award with its latest gooseneck skeletal trailer and the new Mercedes-Benz eTruck scooped the Truck Innovation Award with both categories sponsored by Triska Energy (Shell Lubes). In the Green Commercial Awards sponsored by ESB ecars, FUSO Trucks’ all-electric E-CELL came out on top with the new Iveco Stralis NP (Natural Power) chosen as the winner in the Natural Gas category.
