IAA TRANSPORTATION 2026: 'Stars of the Year Awards' honor the best innovations in the commercial vehicle industry

The stars of the international commercial vehicle industry have been crowned: The prestigious 'Stars of the Year Awards' were presented on Press Day at IAA TRANSPORTATION 2026. The awards recognized outstanding achievements and pioneering innovations in the International Truck of the Year, Truck Innovation Award, International Van of the Year, and International Trailer Award categories.

Hildegard Müller, President of the VDA, welcomed the audience: "Once again, the 'Stars of the Year Awards' honor outstanding vehicles and technologies that set new benchmarks for the future of transport and logistics. A walk through IAA TRANSPORTATION makes one thing clear: Innovation never stands still. Each generation builds on the achievements of the one before it and takes the next step forward. That is exactly what today's awards represent. They impressively demonstrate the momentum with which our industry is driving the transformation and shaping the future of transport and logistics."

Volvo Trucks wins International Truck of the Year

Volvo Trucks' new electric truck range has been named International Truck of the Year 2027. The new generation, which includes the FH, FM, FMX, and FH Aero Electric model families, impressed the 24-member jury with its combination of longer range, a broad range of applications, high energy efficiency, and operational flexibility.

Florian Engel, Chairman of the International Truck of the Year jury, summed up: "With its new electric range, Volvo Trucks demonstrates how quickly battery-electric heavy-duty transport is evolving from individual applications into a comprehensive transport solution."

ZF wins Truck Innovation Award with TraXon Hybrid

Automotive supplier ZF won the TRUCK INNOVATION AWARD 2027 for its TraXon Hybrid technology. With TraXon Hybrid, ZF integrates hybrid technology directly into the transmission architecture of heavy commercial vehicles. The system combines ZF's longstanding expertise in heavy-duty transmissions with the company's experience in electrified powertrains, offering vehicle manufacturers an additional way to reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.

At the awards ceremony, jury Chairman Florian Engel emphasized: "By intelligently integrating hybridization into a proven heavy-duty transmission platform, ZF TraXon Hybrid demonstrates that the transition to more sustainable road freight transport will be shaped by a broad portfolio of different technologies."

International Van of the Year goes to the fourth-generation Renault Trafic E-Tech

The central criterion for naming a vehicle International Van of the Year is its contribution to high standards of efficiency and safety, environmental and climate protection, and sustainability in the transport of light goods by road. The jury concluded that the new, fourth generation of the Trafic E-Tech Electric meets these requirements exceptionally well.

Jarlath Sweeney, President of the International Van of the Year Awards jury, offered his congratulations: "Congratulations to Renault Vans on winning the International Van of the Year Award 2027 with the new Trafic E-Tech Electric. This is Renault's sixth title, coming exactly 25 years after the Trafic last won the award."

The Stellantis ProOne Compact Van took second place, while the new Farizon V7E and the latest Volkswagen Caddy Cargo shared third place.

International Trailer Award 2027: Awards in five categories

The International Trailer Award 2027 recognized achievements across five categories, honoring developments that stand out for their technological innovation and practical solutions.

In the 'Body' category, first place went to Schmitz Cargobull for the S.KO CITY with the S.CU MT-DUALEVAP transport refrigeration unit. Humbaur Dry took second place with the FlexBox Dry, followed by D-Tec in third with the FV-VAC Steered Vacuumliner.

Kögel secured the International Trailer Award 2027 in the 'Chassis' category with the KÖGEL LIGHT PLUS, optimized for electric trucks. Second place went to BPW for its aluminum air suspension hanger bracket for the BPW Airlight II running gear. Junge Fahrzeugbau took third place with Trailerstar.

In the 'Components' category, Kässbohrer impressed the jury with its Modular Floor System K.MFS, securing first place. Carrier Transicold took second place with its innovative safety concept for the use of A2L refrigerants. MRF placed third with the ePeares Access System.

The award in the 'Future' category went to Krone for its innovative TrAIler Health Monitoring System. Fliegl took second place with its chemical container chassis for use with electric tractor units. SDG Modultechnik secured third place with its modified diamond mounting system with a central pivot bearing.

This year also marked the first presentation of the 'Community' Award. Selected by the community, the award went to Koluman for its Adaptive Hidden Sidewall Platform Trailer (AHSP). Aspöck took second place with FlexLED, while Hüffermann placed third with the Schlitten-Carrier HSA 1870 NH.

Visitors to IAA TRANSPORTATION can more over look forward to a special highlight this year: The 'International Truck of the Year 50th Anniversary Exhibition' in Hall 22 features around 20 trucks spanning five decades of the award, including winning vehicles from the past 50 years.