The DAF XF and CF model range has taken top honours at Australia’s peak international design awards during 2020 Good Design Week.
DAF Trucks Australia received the Good Design Award Best in Class Accolade in the Product Design Automotive and Transport category in recognition of its outstanding design and innovation.
In accepting the award, Felipe Rubio, General Manager of DAF Trucks Australia commented, “The DAF XF and CF model range, released in Australia in February 2020, has set a new benchmark for excellence in safety, fuel efficiency, driver comfort and exterior styling for the Australian heavy-duty truck market, and this accolade is further evidence that our new truck models are setting industry standards.”
Over 55 Good Design Awards Jurors evaluated each entry according to a strict set of design criteria which covers ‘good design’, ‘design innovation’ and ‘design impact’. Projects recognised with a Good Design Award must demonstrate excellence in good design and convince the Jury they are worthy of recognition at this level.
The Good Design Awards Jury praised DAF Trucks Australia: “This sets a new industry standard for truck style, function, safety, sustainability and performance. Innovative thinking has resulted in a truck that has a positive impact on the end-user, business and environment. The design offers a clever combination of aerodynamic styling and features as well as powertrain refinements that have delivered a vehicle that is cleaner for the environment, yet offers better performance.”
Australian and Dutch engineers worked closely together to validate the new vehicles for local conditions. Designers developed an innovative range of smart solutions, one example is the integrated exterior styling that improves aerodynamics and disguises the unique protective cab suspension and construction system. The styling is designed to solve the technical challenges of improving fuel efficiency while developing innovative frontal collision absorption mounts that protects the driver and passenger. The interior design is more car-like, adding to the sophistication and refinement of the truck.
Dr Brandon Gien, CEO of Good Design Australia says, “Receiving a Good Design Award is a significant achievement given the very high calibre and record number of entries received in 2020.
“There’s no doubt it has been a really tough year for everyone so it’s nice to be able to share some good news for a change. The projects represented in this year’s Good Design Awards shine a positive light on our creative and innovative capacity as human beings. These inspirational winning projects give me hope and optimism that our design community will continue to innovate, no matter how challenging the world around us is.”
The Good Design Awards date back to 1958. It attracted a record number of submissions for 2020, with 835 design projects evaluated for this year’s awards.