Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai win global truck awards

The Mercedes-Benz Actros has been named Truck of the Year while Hyundai has picked up the Truck Innovation Award at the 2019 Solutrans logistics and transportation show.

The new Actros, which features cameras instead of side mirrors, was voted the top rig by a panel of 25 commercial vehicle journalists throughout Europe at the event held from November 18-23 in Lyon, France.

It is the fifth time the Actros has received the award dating back to 1997 when the model was first released.

The judging panel praised the Actros for the functionality of its predictive powertrain control (PPC) cruise control system which can now be used on winding arterial routes.

The digital multimedia cab was another highlight in the new truck which impressed the judges.

Meanwhile, Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility AG won the event’s Truck Innovation Award.

Hyundai Motor Company and H2 Energy set up its joint venture, Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility, in April 2019.

The goal of the cooperation is to expand Europe’s hydrogen mobility ecosystem by implementing the use of fuel cell trucks.

The joint entity began its active progress toward clean mobility in Switzerland with the company’s plans to deliver 1,600 fuel cell electric heavy-duty trucks by 2025.

The jury acknowledged Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility’s approach to clean energy-driven mobility in the commercial vehicle sector.

The project’s fleet of XCient fuel cell electric heavy-duty trucks aims to confirm the technical and commercial readiness of vehicles, fueling stations and hydrogen production techniques to be deployed across Europe.

“Earning recognition from renowned international jurors that determine the annual awards is a validation of our approach to commercialising hydrogen-powered fuel cell trucks in Europe and around the world,” Hyundai commercial vehicle head Edward Lee says.

“The joint venture between Hyundai and H2 Energy was established to accelerate our Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Vision 2030, and we’re honoured that this prestigious group of journalists has recognised our efforts,” he says.