Judging for the third annual Truck of the Year award is set for Friday, March 11, following the close of the NTEA's Work Truck Show, according to American Truck Dealers, which sponsors the competition in co-operation with trade-press publishers.


Eight editors will examine nine entries in this year's event, with the winners in medium- and heavy duty categories announced at ATD's annual convention next month. Heavy Duty Trucking Senior Editor Tom Berg heads the judging jury.

Judging will be based at the Manheim Auto Auction complex on the southeast side of Indianapolis, ATD said. Driving by qualified editors will be done on surrounding streets and highways, but there is no official route. Manufacturers' representatives will be present to answer judges' questions.

Editors will judge the trucks and tractors for their usefulness, driver appeal, ease of maintenance and other criteria. ATD has stipulated that trucks have at least partial loads and tractors be hooked to trailers to present realistic job-related driving experiences. Eligible truck models are new or substantially upgraded, and were launched or introduced by their manufacturers during the 2010 calendar year.

Class 8 heavy duty entries are:

* International ProStar+ with MF 13 engine;
* Kenworth T700 with Paccar MX engine; and
* Peterbilt Model 386 lightweight sleeper-cab tractor.

Class 3 to 7 medium-duty entries are:

* Ford F650/750 Super Duty;
* Hino 2012-model 338;
* International TerraStar;
* Isuzu NPR Eco-Max;
* Kenworth T370 4x4; and
* Peterbilt Model 337 4x4

The first ATD Truck of the Year winner was International's LoneStar tractor, in 2009. Winners of last year's competition, which also included medium-duty entries, were Peterbilt's Model 384 tractor and Hino's 338 truck.

Commercial truck dealers comprise much of ATD's membership. It is part of the National Automobile Dealers Association, based in McLean, Va.


Read more about the Truck of the Year judging process in "OEMs Gather For Truck of the Year Judging," 3/17/2010.