Western Star’s X-Series has been named Truck of the Year Australasia (ToYA) 2024, impressing judges with its range of features.
The ToYA award was presented at the New Zealand Trucking Association’s TMS Exhibition in Christchurch today.
This award is affiliated with the global International Truck of the Year award, which is presented each year in Europe.
Also in contention for the top prize this year were the Volvo FH Electric and the Scania Super.
The finalists were selected by event co-judges Tim Giles, editor of Big Rigs’ sister publication PowerTorque, and Dave McCoid, NZ Trucking magazine editor, who also presented the award at the biggest show on the NZ calendar.,
Accepting the trophy was Hamish Christie-Johnston, managing director of Penske Australia and New Zealand.
“I am thrilled to receive the 2024 Truck of the Year Australasia award on behalf of our Australia and New Zealand Western Star teams,” he said.
“Since we launched the all-new X-Series in late 2022, we’ve received outstanding feedback from everyone who has driven the trucks.”
To be considered for the Truck of the Year Australasia, a truck needs to be able to overcome the sorts of issues trucks elsewhere in the world don’t have to deal with.
Trucks coming to Australasia have to cope with a very different trucking environment to many of their home countries and have to be adapted accordingly.
Although the X-Series was first released in Australia in 2022, the launch of the range into New Zealand was delayed until 2023 when Penske could get access to the twin steer version of the new models.
One of the rules for inclusion in contention for the ToYA is that the vehicle must be available in both countries.
The arrival of the Western Star X-series in our markets sees a substantial step forward for the brand, with its truck offering being brought bang up to date with all of the latest technology.
The range uses the latest versions of the DD15 and DD13 engines available from Detroit, compliant with Euro 6 emission regulations.
It also includes the Detroit DT12 automated manual transmission, while still offering the option for truck buyers to specify the Eaton Roadranger 18-speed manual.
Also fitted in the range is the Detroit Assurance-5 safety suite, which includes the latest safety technology, which is step-by-step being mandated on Australian trucks.