Based on the International Truck of the Year (IToY) jury rules, the annual award will be presented to the truck introduced into the Australasian market in the past year, which has made the most significant contribution to road transport safety and efficiency.

The judgement relies on several critical criteria, including technological innovation, comfort, safety, driveability, fuel economy, environmental ‘footprint,’ and the total cost of ownership.

ToYA is run in this region by IToY associate members Tim Giles, editor of Power Torque magazine in Australia, Dave McCoid editorial director New Zealand Trucking Media, and Charleen Clarke editor in chief of Focus on Transportmagazine in South Africa. The regional award is sanctioned by the parent organisation.

As an IToY Jury member for the Innovation Award, Clarke brings vast industry knowledge and representation from the parent organisation.

“Having this year’s award presented at TMS aligns perfectly to ToYA whichever way you look at it,” said McCoid.

“A conference aimed at empowering people with usable, take-home information for operating in today’s environment, and celebrating a truck we think is a great fit for trucking in the current times is an ideal union. The contender shortlist will be announced shortly.”

The Truck of the Year Australasia is an annual award, and alternates between being presented in Australia and New Zealand. The Truck of the Year Australasia 2024 award will be presented on 13 March at Te Pae in Christchurch. The 2023 award was presented to Kenworth for its new K220 at this year’s Brisbane Truck Show.

The TMS Teletrac Navman Technology | Maintenance | Safety Conference and Exhibition is organised by the New Zealand Trucking Association and National Road Carriers and is supported by Crane Association of New Zealand, Groundspread NZ, NZ Heavy Haulage Association, CILT NZ, Deals on Wheels NZ and New Zealand Trucking magazine.