DAF XF105 Voted International Truck of the Year 2007

19-9-2006
During a special celebration evening at the eve of the 61st IAA Commercial Vehicles 2006 exhibition in Hanover, taking place between 21st and 28th of September, the International Truck of the Year 2007 award was officially handed over to DAF Trucks president Aad Goudriaan by Andy Salter, chairman of the jury.  DAF received the truck industrys most prestigious award for its new top-of-the-line XF105, which entered production last January.  This is a great recognition for our entire organisation commented Aad Goudriaan.  But also for our customers, who every day provide us with input to make the best trucks even better.

The XF105 for long distance and heavy haulage features a restyled exterior, an entirely new interior design, a new chassis lay-out and the new 12.9 liter PACCAR MX engine, available in both Euro 4 and Euro 5 specifications.  DAFs XF105 sets new standards in terms of quality, efficiency and transport performance as well as in interior design, comfort, ergonomics and drivability.

XF105 continues DAFs reputation
The XF105 continues DAFs reputation for building fine long haulage trucks, jury chairman Andy Salter explained in recognition of DAFs XF105.  This category of the market continues to represent one of Europes biggest and most important truck sectors and for a truck to be successful in this arena it has to meet the challenging demands of both the driver and operator.  In the XF105 DAF has addressed these two customer groups in impressive fashion.

In casting their votes the jury has given specific mention to the impressive new MX engine which offers excellent performance for the driver, with the promise of improved life cycle costs for the operator.  In addition, the improvements the DAF engineers have made to the cab interior further enhance the new XF105s appeal to the jury.  DAF has always prided itself on being close to its customers and this point is illustrated in the long list of detail improvements made by the engineers addressing all the minor niggles logged by drivers and operators.  It is this attention to detail which has ensured the XF105 has scooped the most votes in this years award.

The XF105, launched in the spring of 2006, polled 38% of the votes cast by the 19-strong International Truck of the Year jury representing countries throughout Europe, while Renault took 27% and Volvos FL 14% of the share of voting, said IToY chairman Andy Salter.

Over 12,500 orders
DAF president Aad Goudriaan said he felt privileged to receive the award, and that the honours belong to every member of the DAF organisation.  Our entire team works hard to continuously improve to make the best trucks even better.  Its great that all these efforts are rewarded in such a way.  Moreover, the International Truck of the Year 2007 award is a recognition for our suppliers and dealers too, and last but not least for our customers who gave valuable input for the development of the Award-winning XF105.  In addition, the prestigious award is a fantastic tribute to all those customers who have chosen or will choose the new XF105.  Over 12,500 XF105 trucks have been sold so far.

DAF Trucks N.V. is a leading manufacturer of light, medium and heavy trucks with a market share in Western Europe of almost 15% in the class above 15 tons.  Last year the company delivered a total of 52,500 trucks in markets both within and outside Europe.  In addition, DAF also develops and manufactures components such as axles and engines for manufacturers of buses and special vehicles.  DAF Trucks N.V. has production facilities in Eindhoven (The Netherlands) and in Westerlo (Belgium), more than 1,000 dealers and service points in Europe and more than 7,000 employees.

DAF Trucks N.V. is a PACCAR company, the worldwide quality leader in the design and manufacture of premium light, medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles.  PACCAR shares are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market, symbol PCAR, and its homepage can be found at www.paccar.com.

IToY chairman Andy Salter hands over the award to Aad Goudriaan, President DAF Trucks N.V.

The final voting
The International Truck of the Year is awarded each year to that truck, launched in the previous 12 months, which is deemed to have made the greatest contribution to the efficient carriage of goods by road.  Final voting for the 2007 award was thus: DAF XF105 86; Renault Premium Route 61; Volvo FL 31; Volvo FH16 28; MAN TGM 15; DAF LF 7.