The latest generation Mercedes-Benz Actros has just been awarded Truck & Driver magazine’s illustrious title “Truck of the Decade”.
In an online reader poll lasting for four weeks, Actros received more votes that any other vehicle. In the end, when all votes were cast, Star Quality shone through and the 2009 Mercedes-Benz Actros was announced the deserved winner.
The competition brief was simple: “From a list of ten trucks, choose an individual favourite and send in your choice.” To make this process easier, Truck & Driver supplied a list of worthy manufacturer offerings to vote for. The list was made up of ten vehicles, all of which have been crowned International Truck of the Year, over the last ten years.
Because Actros won the ITOTY title twice in the decade – 2004 and 2009 – two vehicles were eligible, risking a potential split with a “hung vote”. Despite this, the 2009 truck was the clear victor, with the 2004 model coming home in fourth place.
Will Shiers, Truck & Driver Editor, commended Actros on winning Truck of the Decade by saying: “Actros is a great truck to both drive and live in. Mercedes-Benz should be congratulated for all their hard work in building a drivers’ favourite.
“The MegaSpace cab is superb and with its acres of space in all the correct places, it meets the needs of the long distance driver. The owner-driver and the accountant should be happy too, as the Actros constantly wins friends for its frugal fuel economy and running costs.”
Sam Whittaker, Sales and Marketing Director Mercedes-Benz Trucks said: “This is a fantastic award for the Mercedes-Benz Actros to win and it makes me very proud to be part of the team that has delivered such a popular range of vehicles.
I’d like to thank all the Truck & Driver magazine readers who took time to fill in the questionnaire and post it back, especially those who voted for our Flagship tractor.
He continued: “This accolade helps us gauge how our vehicles are perceived in the real world. In the run-up to the 2009 Actros launch, the Mercedes-Benz Research and Development team spent months in operator’s yards, truck stops and at ferry ports.
From conversations had during this process we learnt a lot and ultimately built a truck around the needs of modern business.”
Entrants for Truck & Driver’s “Truck of the Decade”
2001 MAN TGA
2002 Daf LF
2003 Iveco Stralis
2004 Mercedes-Benz Actros
2005 Scania R-Series
2006 MAN TGL
2007 Daf XF105
2008 MAN TGS/TGX
2009 Mercedes-Benz Actros – Winner
2010 Scania R-Series
