The American Truck Dealers announced Friday, Oct. 3, that it will recognize the best medium- and heavy-duty trucks by current model year sold in the United States. The award, “ATD Commercial Truck of the Year,” will be presented each year at the annual ATD Convention and Exposition in April.
“The commercial trucking industry continues to make strides in innovation, design and engine development that improves fuel economy,” says Jim Westlake, ATD executive director. “An award recognizing the top commercial trucks as the best in the industry is long overdue.”
The ATD Commercial Truck of the Year awards will be based on innovation, design, fuel economy, driver and owner satisfaction, ease of maintenance and safety. The judges will be an independent panel of journalists from the leading truck publications in North America.
To nominate current 2008 model year vehicles for the 2009 ATD Commercial Truck of the Year, vehicles must be greater than 33,000 lbs. GVWR and available to the judging panel for a test drive and evaluation. To qualify, vehicles must be reviewed by Dec. 31, 2008.
Beginning in 2009, the award will recognize a truck in the heavy-duty Class 8 category only. Then in 2010, there will be two awards: one for the heavy-duty Class 8 truck, and another for the medium-duty Class 3-7 truck.
The 2009 winner will be announced at next year’s ATD convention, which will be held April 18-20 at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center located just outside of Washington, D.C.
