It's official! The International LoneStar has been named the American Truck Dealers (ATD) "ATD Commercial Truck of the Year". The award (which I naturally blogged on a week or so ago) was made during the ATD's 2009 Convention & Exposition in Washington - which saw the LoneStar beat off the challenge from the Freightliner Cascadia, Kenworth T660, Mack Titan, and Peterbilt Model 386 to take the top spot.
LoneStar was chosen by a judging panel of trucking journalists from leading US publications and according to past ATD Chairman George Grask, who announced the first annual winner, it was chosen because of its design, innovation, quiet cab, and space utilisation.
Well Biglorryblog can't comment about the LoneStar's serviceability on account of I don't actually run one - but I certainly won't argue with the comments about it's innovative design, stylish aerodynamics and cab comfort... Pictured above and below. Indeed as if you needed reminding I can tell you it's got a fold-down Murphy bed-style bunk which converts from a sofa to a full 42-wide bunk with a one-piece spring mattress. The living area is also defined by optional hardwood flooring or carpeting and the driver's seat comes with an optional massage feature too.
Ever since the LoneStar broke cover back in February 2008 at the Chicago Auto Show it's trademark looks have been generating plenty of comment. (And naturally BLB had pictures of it before it's official debut..or did I say that already?) Powered by the MaxxForce series of EGR engines, and presumably soon to also feature the EPA-10 rated MaxxForce 15 (based, so I'm told on the CAT C15 ACERT engine with a fair bit of techie help from MAN fuelling kit) this award will surely give the folks at International/Navistar a shot in the arm.
In October 2008 the ATD announced that it would "...recognise the best medium and heavy-duty trucks by current model year sold in the United States each year with an award. The award, 'ATD Commercial Truck of the Year,' will be presented each year at the annual ATD Convention and Exposition in April." In fact next year there will be two awards: one for heavy-duty trucks (Class 8) and one for the medium-duty trucks (Class 3-7). The judging criteria for the award include innovation, design, fuel economy, driver and owner satisfaction, ease of maintenance and safety. And for the record "...the ATD division of the US National Automobile Dealers Association is the only organisation representing dealers selling new medium and heavy-duty trucks in the United States. More than 2,200 members of ATD receive full association services from NADA."
Meanwhile, if you've ever wondered where International got the idea for the LoneStar's highly-individual styling... Click through here now!
It seems that the inspiration behind the LoneStar's distinctive grille and sloped hood was none other than International's iconic D-Series truck pictured above... Which helped transform America's cross-country transportation in the early 20th Century.
See what I mean? So tell me. Is this a beautiful truck or isn't it? And if you don't like it 'mind yer language' on your comments!
Hi Brian,yes got the news that the Lone Star had come first.Have not seen one on the highway yet,
it will probably be a while as it was just a few weeks ago the first one was delivered to an owner operator up north.
However,on my way home earlier I saw a Kenworth
660 with a cummins ISX 15L.The driver said its the best truck he has driven,and in two tone green of south Floridas Walpole corp was eye catching to say the least.
Apart from the Volvo VN,the Peterbilt 386,and the Kenworth 660 are the best looking trucks in North America.
What we need is a Commercial Motor style road and cab test.
Could you be persuaded to spend a few weeks in the deep south,around October or November?
Brian,
You could ditch the RV and use this truck for your holidays!!!
If it were me, I would!
Joe