Swedish-based Scania’s S-series has been announced as International Truck of the Year 2017, marking the fifth time Scania has won this award.

Previous winners were the 3-series (1989), the 4-series (1996), the R-series (2005) and the new R-series (2010).  In selecting the new S-series, the jury emphasised the new truck generation's driver comfort, safety aspects and its positive impact on hauliers' overall economy, among other factors.

"The award is the leading recognition in the industry that all our engineers and in practice the entire Scania organisation have done an excellent job," said Henrik Henriksson, Scania’s president and CEO. "Our goal is to always meet our customers' expectations and needs and the jury’s motivation is a clear confirmation that we have also followed the right approach with the new truck generation."

The jury, which is composed of 25 leading European trade press journalists and chaired by the Italian automotive journalist Gianenrico Griffini, wrote the following in its citation:  "With its new range, Scania has delivered a truck that represents a real state-of-the-art offering in the heavy duty segment capable of satisfying not only today’s but also tomorrow’s transport needs."

The jury also highlighted Scania’s tailored service offering, which is based on the fact that more than 200,000 connected Scania vehicles are out on the roads.

The Scania S-series is the new flat floor cab mainly intended for long-haulage operations which Scania has just introduced within the framework of its new truck generation.

"The S cab, with its flat floor, offers a truly car-like driving experience," said Griffini.

Besides offering exceptional comfort and unrivalled space, Scania S cabs can also be fitted out with dual side curtain airbags, a safety feature which Scania is the first in the truck world to offer.

"The new truck generation, which will be honoured was developed by our 3,500 engineers in Södertälje together with other Scania employees and in close dialogue with our customers,” said Henriksson. “The award shows that Sweden is still a leading industrial nation and that we can compete in the world markets." – TradeArabia News Service