

The DAF XD has been crowned International Truck of the Year (IToY) 2023. DAF Trucks president Harald Seidel was presented with the award on Monday during the IAA Transportation’s press day in Hanover, Germany.
With a winning score of 134 votes, the Dutch truck manufacturer’s distribution series fought off tough challenges from Scania’s new Super long-haul driveline range and Mercedes-Benz’s heavy-duty Actros, equipped with the third-generation OM 471 engine.
With the same DNA as the new generation heavy-duty XF, XG, and XG+ models, DAF’s CF replacement has taken full advantage of the EU’s new masses and dimensions regulations. The result is dramatically improved direct visibility, cab space, aerodynamics, fuel efficiency, active and passive safety, and driver comfort.
The jury, which consists of 24 commercial vehicle editors and senior journalists representing 24 trucking magazines throughout Europe, spent two days testing the XD in the Netherlands. They liked its driving position, and the all-round enhanced visibility provided by a large, curved windscreen, side windows with low beltlines, and the optional kerb-view window.
Praise was also given to the performance of the Paccar MX-11 engine and ZF TraXon gearbox, and they approved of the optional Digital Vision System, which replaces the traditional rear-view mirrors and the corner-view mirror.
Summing up the jury vote, International Truck of the Year chairman Gianenrico Griffini said: “With the introduction of the new XD series, DAF has delivered a state-of-the-art distribution truck family that sets a new benchmark in the automotive industry. Moreover, the new XD is also a suitable platform for the coming generation of battery electric vehicles (BEVs).”
UK jury member and Commercial Motor editor Will Shiers said: “DAF has been the UK’s market leader for more than a quarter of a century, and with the new XD it will surely only strengthen this enviable position.”