Rev Your Engines: Isuzu's Truck of the Year Competition is Open

Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) is excited to announce its Truck of the Year Competition is kicking off with renewed vigour for 2024. ​ 

Now in its 28^th year, the competition is arguably the longest running of its kind in Australia, originating with the first editions of Isuzu’s hardcopy Truckpower magazine in the mid 1990s. 

Isuzu’s competition continues with the intent of celebrating life on the road, businesses around the county and the trucks that support them. 

IAL Marketing and Advertising Manager, Sam Gangemi, said Isuzu Australia is proud of the enduring nature of the competition which connects the Original Equipment Manufacturer with the grass roots of its customers. 

“Truck of the Year is where the spirit of the trucking community has met passion for product for almost 30 years,” commented Mr Gangemi. 

“Our customers come from some of the hardest working industries in Australia. From our point of view, it’s great that the competition can bring these people together in the limelight and recognise their achievements. 

“This year is all about giving your truck another chance to work for you—whether you’re a tradie, cattle farmer or a driver in national logistics chain, we encourage you to tell your story,” said Mr Gangemi. 

Winners are grinners 

The competition opens on 10 May 2024 and runs until 11:59 pm on 01 December 2024. ​ 

Entering the competition is as straightforward as visiting the landing page at isuzu.com.au, following the prompts and reading the terms and conditions. 

Winners are rewarded with a range of cash and merchandise prizes, plus further opportunities to partner with Isuzu Trucks to promote their business. 

‘Monthly’ winners are selected from the pool of entries each month of the competition, with each receiving an Isuzu merchandise pack valued at $300 RRP. ​ 

These monthly winners go in the running for the ‘Series Prize’ according to their relevant Isuzu truck model series (N/F/FX/FY). 

The Series Prize winners—each taking home a $1,000 Visa gift card—then duke it out for the title of Isuzu’s 2024 Truck of the Year and the Grand Prize of a $6,000 Visa gift card. 

“In 2024 there are multiple ways to win as we reward loyal Isuzu fans for their dedication and their part in making Isuzu Trucks the number one selling truck brand in Australia. 

“Over the years, we’ve been delighted to receive all manner of entries, from Ready-to-Work trucks in trade, tankers and crane trucks, through to highly customised waste and recycling units and concrete agitators. 

“The entries that go far in the competition combine two key things: a photo that shows how the truck is working for the business and a caption that gives us a sense of why this person loves their rig,” Mr Gangemi added. 

A little competition history 

With a great snap and a line or two about how their trucks are going about business, these recent Truck of the Year Grand Prize Winners found their place on the top list at Isuzu Australia. ​ 

Top End contender 

VTG Waste & Recycling scored top gong in 2023 with an outstanding FYJ 300-350 8x4 waste compactor used in recycling and commercial waste disposal in Darwin in the Northern Territory. 

“Isuzu trucks are reliable, functional and well-suited to the tough environment of the Top End,” said James Prakash, Managing Director of VTG Waste & Recycling. 

Heavy-duty hero 

The 2022 competition saw Craneworx, a family run business located in Adelaide, South Australia, take out the top spot as Grand Prize Winner with their hardy yellow FYJ 300-350 tilt-tray truck fitted with an eight-metre tray and 2.5-tonne Hyva loader crane. 

“Isuzu are very well respected in the trucking industry, and the reliability of their product is why we chose them to support Craneworx,” said Daniel Lockwood, Operations Manager of Craneworx. 

Team player 

In 2021, Adelaide Liquid Waste Solutions came dressed to impress with an FXZ 240-350 vacuum tanker flying the company’s slick grey-and-blue colour scheme. ​ 

Since then, the business has rapidly expanded their fleet, introducing a number of new Isuzu trucks to their waste collection operation. 

“With our busy schedule we now have one dedicated driver for each truck, and an extra driver which covers holidays and personal leave or can be an extra driver as needed on a job—we don't want to say ‘no’ to our customers when they need us,” said Suzanne Magro, Co-Director of Adelaide Liquid Waste Solutions.