World’s top commercial vehicles honoured in Lyon
World’s top commercial vehicles honoured in Lyon
On 19 November, the winners of the most important commercial vehicle awards were announced in Lyon, France. We were there!
The Solutrans international trade fair once again played host to the commercial vehicle industry’s most prestigious awards, recognising the very best in trucks, vans, pick-ups and technology. As always, the highlight of the event was the announcement of the International Truck of the Year (IToY) – widely regarded as the most influential accolade in the global trucking sector.
South Africa was proudly represented on all four juries by FOCUS editorial director, Charleen Clarke, who has long served as the country’s voice in these highly respected international panels.
International Truck of the Year 2026: DAF electrifies the competition
The top honour of the evening – the International Truck of the Year 2026 – was awarded to DAF’s XD and XF Electric models. DAF secured an impressive 92 points from the 24-member jury, marking its third major IToY win since the launch of its New Generation range.
The judges praised the trucks’ exceptionally refined driveline, seamless gear transitions and improved energy efficiency delivered through a 9% aerodynamic gain. Their modular design, which allows operators to select from a wide range of battery and axle configurations, also stood out.
The result marks the third consecutive year in which an electric truck has taken the crown, signalling the rapid acceleration of the industry’s energy transition. Strong competition came from MAN’s D30 PowerLion and the SANY e435 – the first Chinese truck ever shortlisted.
International Van of the Year 2026: Kia claims its first victory
In the light commercial segment, the International Van of the Year 2026 (IVOTY) was awarded unanimously to the fully electric Kia PV5. This win marks Kia’s first-ever IVOTY title, and a significant moment for its emerging Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) division.
Built on Kia’s new E-GMP.S skateboard architecture, the PV5 impressed jurors with its modular design, forward-thinking engineering and the brand’s clear commitment to electrified commercial mobility.
The Farizon SV took second place, followed by the Ford E-Transit Courier in third. With several strong European contenders also shortlisted, Kia’s breakthrough win signals its arrival as a serious force in the van market.
International Pick-up Award 2026/27: Ford Ranger PHEV makes history
Ford secured its fourth International Pick-up Award (IPUA) with the newly developed Ford Ranger PHEV, the first hybrid ever to take the title. Tested extensively in Bulgaria, the Ranger PHEV outperformed rivals from INEOS, Foton and Maxus, particularly impressing with its all-round capability.
Its 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine paired with a 75-kW electric motor delivers 207kW and 697Nm, while maintaining the Ranger’s trademark toughness and exceptional towing capacity. The model’s new Pro Power Onboard system – which turns the vehicle into a mobile energy source – also strengthened its appeal to the jury.
Truck Innovation Award 2026: Bosch leads with data-driven safety
Rounding off the honours, Bosch won the Truck Innovation Award 2026 for its cutting-edge Road Hazard Service. The system uses anonymised swarm data from millions of connected vehicles, combined with road-operator and weather information, to give drivers real-time warnings about hazards such as fog, heavy rain or broken-down vehicles.
Already active in passenger cars since 2024 and available in Mercedes-Benz Trucks, the technology represents a major step toward safer roads and an important building block for automated driving.
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