AutoTrader picks world's best bakkie
AutoTrader has received an incredible accolade; we have been invited to join the jury that selects the International Pick-up Award. This means that we’re participating in the single most important bakkie event on the planet! Here’s a Q&A that unpacks this momentous development.
What is the International Pick-up Award?
The International Pick-up Award is the world’s leading accolade for producers of one-tonne pick-ups. Every other year since 2009, the International Pick-up Award has been presented to the most efficient one-tonne pick-up truck in business today. The pick-ups in contention for the main prize are judged on their commercial merits, plus their capabilities and abilities on and off-road.
Which vehicles have won in the past?
Former winners of this prestigious biennial title include the Ford Ranger, Nissan Navara, Toyota Hilux and Volkswagen Amarok, with the Ranger and Amarok winning on two occasions over the years.
Which bakkie currently holds the title?
The Toyota Hilux is the reigning champion; it won the sixth International Pick-up Award 2022/2023. The presentation of this prestigious award for medium-sized pick-up trucks was made during the Solutrans 2021 exhibition in Lyon, France.
Why did it win?
The multiple award-winning Hilux was honoured with this accolade not only thanks to its new powerful and smooth powertrain, its fine handling and, of course, its legendary Quality, Durability and Reliability (QDR), but also its ever-increasing appeal in the world’s growing dual-usage, leisure and urban markets. Today, the Hilux is produced in six different countries and is on sale in 180 countries and regions throughout the world. And, with more than 18 million units sold globally, it can rightfully lay claim to being the world’s favourite pick-up.
Who is on the International Pick-up Award jury?
There are currently 19 editors and journalists on the jury. They represent all the leading European markets. With the addition of South Africa, there are now 20 countries represented on the expert panel. South Africa will be represented by Charleen Clarke, who is responsible for commercial vehicle content for AutoTrader. She is also editorial director of FOCUS on Transport & Logistics.
Has South Africa been represented on the jury before?
No, this is a first. No other African countries are on the jury either.
Why was South Africa chosen to join the jury?
Jarlath Sweeney, Chairman and founder of the International Pick-up Award, says that there were a number of sound reasons for seeking representation from South Africa on the jury: “Pick-ups – known as bakkies in that country – are extremely popular vehicle derivatives. They are not bought exclusively for commercial use. To the contrary, many pick-ups serve as family cars in South Africa,” he explains.
Such is the popularity of pick-ups in South Africa that one normally tops the list of the most sold vehicles in the country. “When one examines the list of the top 10 vehicles in South Africa in 2021 (when it comes to new vehicle sales), there were four pick-ups on that list. In first position – yet again – was the Toyota Hilux. This came as no surprise; the Hilux has romped home to this position for many years. It also marked Toyota’s 42nd year of overall market leadership in the country. The Toyota Hilux is of course the reigning holder of the International Pick-up Award,” reveals Sweeney.
The three other pick-ups on the list of the top 10 best sellers in South Africa are the Ford Ranger (in third spot), Isuzu D-Max (fifth) and the Nissan NP200 (eighth).
South Africa is also an important market when it comes to the production of pick-ups. Recently, Ford Motor Company announced an investment of US$1.05 billion in its South African manufacturing operations – marking the biggest investment in Ford’s 97-year history on the continent. The investment facilitated the production of the next-generation Ranger, which commenced in November 2022. Numerous other pick-ups are also produced at highly sophisticated plants in the country.
Why was Charleen Clarke chosen out of all the journalists in South Africa?
Sweeney says Clarke was chosen to represent South Africa on the jury because of what he terms “her long and illustrious commercial vehicle career in journalism”. “She has worked as a motoring and commercial vehicle journalist since 1984, and Clarke has been named South African Motoring Journalist of the Year and also South African Commercial Vehicle Journalist of the Year. She is extremely well travelled, meaning she’s up to date with current global vehicle trends.
“Plus, she already represents South Africa on two other juries, namely the International Truck of the Year and the Truck Innovation Award. In addition to editing and owning FOCUS magazine, Clarke is also responsible for commercial vehicle content for autotrader.co.za. As such, she reaches a large and growing audience,” he notes.
When will the next winner be chosen?
Every two years, the jury members meet somewhere in the world to evaluate contenders for the award. Next year, it will meet in Athens, Greece, from 16 to 19 October 2023. Watch this space for news of the next winner!
