The inaugural International Pickup Award will be handed over at
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the IAA Hannover Show later this month. Andy Salter casts his eye over the contestants.
While the van and truck sector may have been bereft of new launches over the past 12 months, many pickup manufacturers have taken the opportunity to update their ranges. Recognising this, several members of the International Van of the Year jury organised a group test of the major players in the pickup sector to elect a winner of the first Pickup Award; this too will be handed over at the Hannover Show on 21 September.
Thanks to the team at Mondello Park in Kildare, Ireland, for the loan of their demanding off-road circuit tor the day. the jury was able to put all the products through their paces. The criteria for selection was a combination of good off-road manners, durable design, as well as the usual operational efficiency attributes that contribute to the selection of the Van and Truck of the Year. Seven contenders lined up for the battle, with representatives from Ford, lsuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen. All the products gave an excellent account of themselves and to say this contest is wide open would be an understatement, with all the judges we spoke to at the test giving a different view of their top three selection.