Van of the Year Award Has New Contestents

May 19, 2014: Twelve new vans launched this year in Europe from individual brands and joint-ventures between manufacturers will contest the most coveted prize in the business – The International Van of the Year Award (IVotY).

The judging panel consisting of 25 leading journalists from Europe’s top commercial vehicle publications now has the difficult task of selecting the overall winner which will be announced and presented at the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover, Germany next September. Every aspect of the van’s design, technology and drivetrain is under consideration during the adjudication process.

According to Jarlath Sweeney, recently elected Chairman of the IVOTY, there has never been such a busy year with new launches from the van industry. “New van introductions don’t come around too often but this year has been phenomenal with practically all brands involved in developing new product, primarily in the advent of more stringent emission levels,” stated Jarlath. “It can be said that 2014 is definitely the Year of the Van for the IVotY,” he added.

Regarding the line-up for the 2015 award, Ford has two contenders in the new 2-tonne Transit and Transit Courier; its new mini cargo van while Fiat Professional and PSA Peugeot/Citroën has brought out an evolution of their respective Ducato/Boxer/Relay (or Jumper in some markets).

Renault’s joint venture with GM Opel/Vauxhall sees the introduction of all-new Trafic and Vivaro vans together with a makeover of their Master and Movano LCVs respectively.

The third generation Daily from truck brand Iveco is also totally new as is the Nissan e-NV200, the only all-electric van in the race to Hanover on this occasion. Another strong entry is the newly developed Mercedes-Benz Vito panel van.

Jury members will initially reduce this long list to a shortlist in the first voting ballot in mid-August with the final vote taking place in early September. Details of the shortlisted finalists will be announced then.