Scania Launches Competitions to Find the World's Best Drivers

STOCKHOLM, Sweden--Regulatory News:

“We set up the Scania Driver Competitions to put the spotlight on the drivers, celebrate their skills and highlight their valuable contribution to society. By this we aim to raise driver status and attract more young people into the profession.”

The Scania Driver Competitions 2010 launch this week, starting a year long search across 28 countries to find the world’s best truck drivers. Over 45,000 drivers are expected to enter throughout the year.

Scania initiated the competitions in 2003, initially in Europe. They have since spread into a global campaign to highlight the importance of the skills and professionalism of drivers, as well as of driver training and development to enhance road safety awareness and eco-driving proficiency.

As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of heavy trucks and buses, Scania wants to demonstrate its commitment and responsibility to building a sustainable, robust and profitable global transport system that benefits all. To achieve this, the skills and attitude of the driver are critical.

“The driver is the single most important factor for economy, environment and safety. Skilled and committed drivers will deliver energy efficient transport, reduce emissions and contribute towards safer roads,” says Leif Östling, President and CEO, Scania.

“We set up the Scania Driver Competitions to put the spotlight on the drivers, celebrate their skills and highlight their valuable contribution to society. By this we aim to raise driver status and attract more young people into the profession.”

Platform for road safety discussions The Scania Driver Competitions are once again being strongly supported by sponsors and partners. In Europe the competition is being sponsored by Michelin and endorsed by the European Commission and the International Road Transport Union (IRU). With this support Scania aims to raise awareness of some of the key issues affecting the global transport industry with a series of seminars and initiatives throughout 2010.

“The Scania Driver Competitions provide an ideal platform to discuss and address issues that help cut road accidents and increase profitability and sustainability within the industry,” says Erik Ljungberg, Senior Vice President, Corporate Relations, Scania.

Over the next few months driver competitions will be launching in countries as diverse as Australia, Malaysia, Brazil and South Africa, as well as across Europe.

Eighteen countries will host their own Young European Truck Driver competition (YETD 2010), the European version of the Scania Driver Competitions. Winners of each national YETD competition will then go on to compete for the overall YETD title at a European Final in Södertälje, Sweden on 8-9 October 2010. Professional drivers who have the skills and determination to meet the challenges of the competition are being urged to enter via www.scania.com/drivercomp and then click onto their country specific competition website for registration.

Taking part in the competition gives drivers an unforgettable experience. Not only is it an invaluable opportunity to improve driving skills, increase road safety awareness and energy efficiency, it’s also a great chance to meet other drivers and become part of a global driver community. For those who have the winning combination of exceptional driving skills, stamina, professional pride and a positive attitude, there is also the chance to become a champion.

Scania is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks and buses for heavy transport applications, and of industrial and marine engines. A growing proportion of the company’s operations consists of products and services in the financial and service sectors, assuring Scania customers of cost-effective transport solutions and maximum uptime. Employing 35,000 people, Scania operates in about 100 countries. Research and development activities are concentrated in Sweden, while production takes place in Europe and South America, with facilities for global interchange of both components and complete vehicles. In 2008, invoiced sales totalled SEK 89 billion and net income amounted to SEK 8.9 billion.