DAF XF and CF Wins Best in Class Accolade

Today, the DAF XF and CF model range was announced as the winner of Australia’s peak international design awards during the 2020 Good Design Week, the highest honour for design and innovation in the country. DAF Trucks Australia received the prestigious Good Design Award Best in Class Accolade in the Product Design Automotive and Transport category in recognition for outstanding design and innovation.

The annual Good Design Awards is Australia’s oldest and most prestigious international Awards for design and innovation with a proud history dating back to 1958. The Awards celebrate the best new products and services on the Australian market, excellence in architectural design, engineering, fashion, digital and communication design, design strategy, social impact design and young designers.

More than 55 Good Design Awards Jurors evaluated each entry according to a strict set of design criteria which covers ‘good design’, ‘design innovation’ and ‘design impact’. Projects recognised with a Good Design Award must demonstrate excellence in good design and convince the Jury they are worthy of recognition at this level.

Mr Felipe Rubio, General Manager of DAF Trucks Australia, was excited to accept the Best in Class Good Design Award, commenting, “The DAF XF and CF model range, released in Australia in February 2020, has set a new benchmark for excellence in safety, fuel efficiency, driver comfort and exterior styling for the Australian heavy-duty truck market, and this accolade is further evidence that our new truck models are setting industry standards.

The Good Design Awards Jury praised DAF Trucks Australia, commenting, “This sets a new industry standard for truck style, function, safety, sustainability and performance. Innovative thinking has resulted in a truck that has a positive impact on the end-user, business and environment. The design offers a clever combination of aerodynamic styling and features as well as powertrain refinements that have delivered a vehicle that is cleaner for the environment, yet offers better performance.

Australian and Dutch engineers have worked closely together to validate the new vehicles for local conditions. Designers have developed an innovative range of smart solutions, one example is the integrated exterior styling that improves aerodynamics and disguises the unique protective cab suspension and construction system - very clever! The styling solves the technical challenges of improving fuel efficiency whilst developing innovative frontal collision absorption mounts that protect the occupants.

The interior design is more car-like, adding to the sophistication and refinement of the truck. The interior design is purposeful with a thoughtful ergonomic layout, opportunities for customisation, use of tough durable materials and superior NHV qualities. These features ensure the end-user enjoys the creature comforts and features expected of a modern vehicle.

Clearly, PACCAR has set a vision to develop the DAF truck with a level of sophistication, safety and performance that will appeal to the end-user, ensuring the DAF brand continues to be a market leader and commercial success.” Dr Brandon Gien, CEO of Good Design Australia said, “Receiving a Good Design Award is a significant achievement given the very high calibre and record number of entries received in 2020.”  “There’s no doubt it has been a really tough year for everyone so it’s nice to be able to share some good news for a change. The projects represented in this year’s Good Design Awards shine a positive light on our creative and innovative capacity as human beings. These inspirational winning projects give me hope and optimism that our design community will continue to innovate, no matter how challenging the world around us is,” said Dr Gien.

“Australia’s Good Design Award is more than a symbol of design excellence - it represents the hard work and dedication towards an innovative outcome that will ultimately make our lives better. These projects showcase the shear brilliance of design and the potential it has to improve our world,” said Dr Gien.

The 2020 Good Design Awards attracted a record number of submissions with an astonishing 835 design projects evaluated in this year’s international design awards.

About Good Design Australia and Australia’s Good Design Awards:

Good Design Australia is an international design promotion organisation responsible for managing Australia’s annual Good Design Awards and other signature design events. With a proud history that dates back to 1958, Good Design Australia remains committed to promoting the importance of design to business, industry, government and the general public and the critical role it plays in creating a better, safer and more prosperous world.

To learn more visit: www.good-design.org

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