Game, set, and match: Mercedes-Benz and MAN score at the IAA!
Game, set, and match: Mercedes-Benz and MAN score at the IAA!
There were almost 1,700 exhibitors at this year’s IAA Transportation, but the mood was particularly upbeat on two stands: Daimler Trucks and MAN Truck & Bus. That’s because Daimler was celebrating the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600’s 2025 International Truck of the Year (IToY) award, while MAN was popping the champagne to toast its hTGX’s victory in the 2025 Truck Innovation Award. Both trucks embody cutting-edge advancements in renewable fuels (electric and hydrogen technology), highlighting the transport sector’s rapid shift towards greener alternatives.
At the IAA’s Stars of the Year awards banquet, the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 was named the 2025 International Truck of the Year. This award, which has recognised excellence in the trucking industry for decades, was presented to Karin Rådström, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks. The eActros 600’s triumph marks the second consecutive year that an electric truck has claimed this prestigious title, underscoring the growing importance of electrification in long-haul transport.
Gianenrico Griffini, chairperson of the IToY, praised the eActros 600, stating, “Mercedes-Benz Trucks designed the eActros 600 as an electric truck right from the start. This decision has put a state-of-the-art battery-electric vehicle (BEV) on the road, capable of fulfilling a wide range of long-haul missions.”
The eActros 600 was up against tough competition, particularly from Volvo Trucks’ Aero range and Iveco’s S-eWay electric tractor. However, it stood out thanks to its advanced design and impressive capabilities, securing 88 votes from the IToY jury. The truck’s range – which exceeds 500km on a single charge – and its total installed battery capacity of over 600kWh were key factors in its victory. An extensive European Testing Tour, where the truck covered more than 15,000km, further demonstrated its reliability and efficiency, impressing journalists across the continent.
The success of the eActros 600 highlights the industry’s accelerating transition towards electric vehicles. As regulatory pressures increase and the demand for sustainable solutions grows, trucks like the eActros 600 are leading the charge, offering practical and efficient alternatives to traditional diesel-powered vehicles.
The MAN hTGX was recognised with the 2025 Truck Innovation Award, a testament to its groundbreaking hydrogen combustion engine. This award marks a significant achievement for MAN Truck & Bus, as the company becomes the first European manufacturer to launch a small series of trucks powered by this innovative technology. This award is also presented by the IToY jury, which tested the truck recently in Saalfelden, Austria.
Frederik Zohm, executive board member for research & development at MAN Truck & Bus, expressed his satisfaction with the recognition, saying, “We are particularly pleased to receive the International Truck of the Year jury’s award. With the hydrogen combustion truck MAN hTGX, we are offering a useful addition to our battery-electric vehicles, thus rounding off our zero-emission product portfolio for special markets and heavy-duty applications.”
The MAN hTGX is a game-changer for the industry, offering a viable alternative to BEVs, particularly for heavy-duty and specialised applications. Its hydrogen combustion engine, based on the proven D38 diesel unit, provides a near-zero carbon footprint while delivering diesel-like performance. The truck’s range of approximately 600km and its efficient hydrogen storage system make it a practical solution for long-haul transport.
During the test days, the hTGX impressed the IToY jury with its capabilities. As Griffini noted, “MAN’s hTGX opens a new chapter in decarbonising road transport. It can be the vehicle of choice for heavy-duty applications – such as in the construction sector – in challenging climatic conditions.”
These awards highlight the significant strides being made in electric and hydrogen technologies, setting the stage for a future where zero-emission vehicles are not just innovative but also essential to meeting global transport needs. “As both manufacturers continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, the transport industry is poised to enter a new era of cleaner, more efficient logistics solutions,” concludes Charleen Clarke, editorial director of FOCUS (who represents South Africa on the jury).
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