The new F-Max, produced by Ford Trucks, has been elected International Truck of the Year for 2019 by a jury of 23 commercial vehicle editors and senior journalists, representing 23 major trucking magazines from throughout Europe. The prestigious award was handed over to Haydar Yenigün, Ford Otosan General Manager, during the press day of the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover, Germany.

With a winning score of 126 votes, the new F-Max heavy-duty tractor fought off the challenges posed by Scania’s recently-launched L&P Series and the FH/FM truck range powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Volvo Trucks.

In terms of the International Truck of the Year (ITOY) rules, the annual award is presented to the truck introduced into the market in the previous 12 months which has made the greatest contribution to road transport efficiency. Jury members take into account several important criteria including technological innovation, comfort, safety, driveability, fuel economy, environmental footprint and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

During a recent extended test drive in Turkey, the IToY jury members praised the efficiency and advanced characteristics of the F-Max’s driveline, including Eco-Roll, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and GPS-based Predictive Cruise Control functions. Equally impressive was the pairing – and quietness – of the in-line six-cylinder 12,7-litre Ford Ecotorq Euro 6 engine rated at 500 HP in combination with the ZF 12-speed Traxon automated gearbox.

The Truck of the Year journalists also appreciated the key features of the new long-haul cab, which offers a comfortable, ergonomic, user-friendly working and living environment, with a flat floor, a width of 2,5 m, an interior height of 2,16 m, excellent storage capacity and cockpit-style dashboard featuring a digital instrument cluster (which is both easy to read and navigate). Jury members also commented favourably on ConnecTruck, the connectivity platform of the vehicle.

Summing-up the jury vote, International Truck of the Year Chairman Gianenrico Griffini commented: “With the introduction of F-Max, Ford Trucks has delivered a fine engineered tractor that can be a meaningful new player in the highly competitive segment of long-haul transport.”