The Mercedes-Benz Axor has won an online public vote to carry off its third transport industry ‘Oscar’ in six years.

Mercedes-Benz UK’s Managing Director, Commercial Vehicles, Ian Jones stepped up to collect the coveted Motor Transport Fleet Truck of the Year trophy at last night’s (Wednesday 6th) event, which was attended by over 1,500 guests and held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.

Axor beat off the challenge of its shortlisted rivals in the shape of MAN’s TGS and the DAF CF85 to reclaim a title it first won in 2005, then landed again two years later.

On those occasions the key decisions were made by a judging panel of experts from within the industry – this was the first time that Motor Transport had invited its readers to choose the winners.

A delighted Sam Whittaker, Truck Sales & Marketing Director for Mercedes-Benz UK, declared: “It’s hugely gratifying to have won the online votes of such a wide cross-section of people from across the full spectrum of our industry.

“Those taking part included operators of small, medium and large transport concerns and, of course, drivers; and it’s this that makes last night’s success so satisfying.”

He added: “With its combination of reliability, fuel-efficiency and driver-acceptability, we already knew the Axor was a fantastic fleet truck – and by casting their votes those who operate and drive our products out there in the real world have confirmed that they know it too!”

Motor Transport Editor Steve Hobson said the Axor had become a “consistent and reliable player in the fleet market”.

He noted that at its launch in 2001 there was clear demarcation between the relatively simple and straightforward Axor and the “fly-by-wire” technology of its ‘big brother’, the premium specification Actros.

“However, as time has gone by, what was once black and white has now become grey,” he continued, “with many features prominent on both line-ups.”

He cited as an example the fact that like Actros, Axor tractors now came as standard with the acclaimed Mercedes PowerShift automated transmission.

Mr Hobson also highlighted the added appeal of the highly specified Axor X model, which was first seen in 2008 and came with “a wealth of goodies”.

The rugged and durable Mercedes-Benz Axor range of distribution tractors, and distribution and construction rigids, is wearing a new face for 2011 – and plenty more besides. As well as a bold reworked grille and other external updates also made to the lighter Atego – aligning both models more closely in visual terms with the Actros premium heavy truck range – new Axor has also benefited from a series of interior enhancements.