Apr 09, 2009 12:54 ET

First Ever ‘ATD Commercial Truck of the Year’ Award to be Presented April 19 in Nation’s Capital

MCLEAN, Va. --(Business Wire)-- Apr 09, 2009 Five heavy-duty trucks for the current model year have been nominated for the first annual “American Truck Dealers (ATD) Commercial Truck of the Year.”

The nominees for the Class 8 commercial trucks sold in the United States are: Freightliner Cascadia, International LoneStar, Kenworth T660, Mack Titan and Peterbilt Model 386. Click here for images.

“Commercial truck manufacturing continues to make strides in innovation, advances in exterior and interior design and engine development that improves fuel economy and reduces emissions,” says Kyle Treadway, ATD chairman. “An award that recognizes the top commercial trucks as the best in the industry is long overdue.”

The winner will be announced April 19 at the ATD Convention & Expo, which will be held at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, D.C., April 18-20.

The judging panel consists of journalists from leading truck publications in North America. Judging criteria includes innovation, design, fuel economy, driver and owner satisfaction, ease of maintenance and safety.

In 2010, two “ATD Commercial Truck of the Year” awards will be presented: a heavy-duty truck (Class 8) and a medium-duty truck (Classes 3-7).

ATD, a division of the National Automobile Dealers Association, was established in 1970 to provide programs, products and services to more than 2,000 heavy- and medium-duty truck dealers holding nearly 3,000 separate franchises, both domestic and import. For more information, visit www.atd.org.

NADA Public Affairs
Charles Cyrill
Director of Public Relations
703-821-7121
Mobile: 216-870-8837
ccyrill@nada.org