The Mercedes-Benz Actros ProCabin has won Truck of the Year Australasia 2026.
With the most contenders in the mix since Truck of the Year Australasia began in 2023, the decision on this year’s eventual winner was still unanimous. That was no reflection on the quality of the contenders, but the outstanding quality and contribution the winner makes to the road transport undertaking in this part of the world. The award was presented to Darren Evans, CEO of Keith Andrews Trucks in New Zealand, at the annual New Zealand Road Transport Hall of Fame event in Invercargill on Friday 25th September.
“We’re incredibly proud to see the Mercedes-Benz Actros ProCabin named Truck of the Year Australasia,” said Darren. “Fuel is one of the biggest costs our customers face, and we know every improvement in efficiency matters. The ProCabin’s completely new, even more aerodynamic design helps reduce fuel consumption, making a meaningful difference to the business and people who rely on these trucks.
“With the Actros ProCabin already at work across Australia and New Zealand, this award recognises a truck that is delivering real-world value for operators on both sides of the Tasman.”
Other contenders in the mix were the Fuso 530 Shogun, UD Condor, Isuzu F Series, and IVECO Eurocargo.
“Each machine offered a strong case, with three doing battle in the same market segment, so that made it interesting. The Fuso offered a specific market fit, as did the Actros,” said ToYA judge Dave McCoid, New Zealand Trucking Media editorial director and IToY associate member for New Zealand.
“The launch of the ProCabin takes the Mercedes-Benz range into new territory,” says senior ToYA judge Tim Giles, freelance heavy commercial vehicle journalist and IToY associate member for Australia. “This truck is a step-change from other trucks on the market, and great to drive. The new cabin design houses an innovative air management system, and combining this with the latest state-of-the-art in Daimler safety technology creates a truck which is up for any task.”
“We are proud the Mercedes-Benz Actros ProCabin has been recognised as the Australasian Truck of the Year for 2026,” says Daimler Truck Australia Pacific vice president sales, marketing and operations, Andrew Assimo. “The Actros ProCabin was shaped to cut fuel consumption even further, delivering our customers an edge that is even more valuable as fuel prices rise,” Assimo says.
“We’re thrilled this focus on real-world efficiency, as well our dedication to the most advanced safety, has been recognised by the Australasian Truck of the Year judges.”
“The launch of the ProCabin as part of the Mercedes-Benz range builds on the great strides the brand has made in terms of cutting-edge technology,” says McCoid. “The extra length may only be 80mm, but it has enabled the designers to come up with a new design that will be suitable for any possible power option, from diesel to any other alternative power source. The award presentation alternates each year between Australia and New Zealand. “This year was New Zealand’s turn, and that’s always special for us,” says McCoid.
(From Left) New Zealand Associate IToY member and ToYA judge, Dave McCoid; Australian Associate IToY member and ToYA judge, Tim Giles, and Keith Andrews Trucks CEO Darren Evans.
Truck of the Year Australasia
Truck of the Year Australasia was launched in 2023 as one of the regional awards affiliated to the parent International Truck of the Year (IToY) organisation. As associate members of IToY for Australia and New Zealand, Tim Giles, then editor Power Torque magazine, and Dave McCoid, editorial director at New Zealand Trucking Media, felt Australasia offered an operating environment unique in the world, warranting regional recognition for OEMs active in their market. This submission was accepted by IToY.
The main criterion for the nomination and election of any ToYA candidate should be its contribution to the standards of safety and efficiency of goods transported by road in Australasia. Any truck that fulfils that criterion and has a gross vehicle mass 4.5 tonnes or above is eligible. The truck must contain considerable technological improvements; a minor facelift etc. does not make a truck eligible. The truck nominated must be reasonably new to market, must be produced in series, able to be ordered according to an official price list, and offer a high degree of availability to operators. To choose the winner, a jury of five people assess the trucks nominated. The ToYA Jury comprises Tim Giles, noted and well-respected freelance heavy commercial vehicle journalist and IToY associate member for Australia; Dave McCoid, editorial director of New Zealand Trucking Media and IToY associate member for New Zealand, and IToY representative, Charleen Clarke, editor-in-chief of Focus on Transport and Logistics magazine in South Africa. Two additional jurors take part in closing deliberations, either industry experts or journalists without brand affiliations, one from Australia and one from New Zealand.
International Truck of the Year background
The International Truck of the Year (IToY) was launched in Europe in 1977, the brainchild of Pat Kennett, then editor of the British magazine TRUCK and a legendary commercial vehicle journalist of the era. Today, the European jury comprises 24 members from publications throughout Europe who award the IToY annually, alongside an additional innovation award. Today that organisation has been joined by associate members in the growing truck markets of Australia, Brazil, China, India, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United States of America. Altogether, the combined truck operator readership of the 24 IToY full jury members’ magazines and those of its associate members exceeds 1.1 million.
The expansion of the IToY membership through its associates has seen the initial IToY concept expanded, with the awarding of the Truck of the Year Latin America, and Chinese Truck of the Year. In 2023 the concept made its way Down Under with the first Truck of the Year Australasia presented at the Brisbane Truck Show. The presentation venue of the Australasia award alternates between Australia and New Zealand on a yearly basis.