Toyota Forklifts Europe

January 2009 - Toyota Traigo 48 wins prestigious iF Product Design Award 2009

The most compact Toyota 48-volt counterbalanced forklift ever, the Toyota Traigo 48 range offers an intuitive driving experience with six 3-wheel models and four 4-wheel models and load capacities ranging from 1.5 to 2.0 tons. The range is engineered to satisfy customer demands in Europe’s largest electric forklift market segment, 48-volt forklift trucks.

The Toyota Traigo 48 range has a fresh, modern design that gives it a family ‘look and feel’ in line with the Toyota Traigo 24-volt family, as well as the Toyota Tonero engine-powered range. All models feature the unique Toyota System of Active Stability (SAS) and will be built according to the strict quality standards of the world-renowned Toyota Production System (TPS) at TMHE’s ISO 14001-certified plant in Bologna, Italy.

For 55 years, the iF design award has served as an internationally recognised trademark for outstanding design. By winning this award, Toyota Traigo 48 receives the iF seal of design excellence, which remains valid throughout its product life cycle. Toyota Traigo 48 was recognised in the category Special Vehicles / Construction / Agriculture.

Judging for the iF Product Design Award was conducted on the basis of design quality, workmanship, choice of materials, degree of innovation, environmental friendliness, functionality, ergonomics, visualization of use, safety, brand value, branding and universal design. Of 2,808 products submitted for consideration in 16 categories, 802 received awards, including the Toyota Traigo 48 and another new TMHE product – the BT Levio pedestrian powered pallet truck.

Jonas Tornerefelt, TMHE Vice President Product Planning said: “We are delighted to announce that Toyota Traigo 48 has been selected as a winner of the iF Product Design Award 2009 and will carry the iF quality seal. Customer research has been very important in developing this all-new electric forklift range, and we think this award-winning design demonstrates that the Toyota Traigo 48 is a very operator-oriented truck.”

Tadayuki Yakushi, who was responsible for appearance design for the Toyota Traigo 48, said: “With the Toyota Traigo 48, we focused on creating not only a modern and dynamic styling, but also a design that pays attention to ease of use and comfort for operators – with easy entry/exit and a spacious feeling. You can feel the sense of Toyota through both the operator-friendliness and the styling.”

Presented by iF Industrie Forum Design e.V., the iF Product Design Award is one of the world’s best-known design competitions. Based in Hannover, Germany and launched in 1953, iF Industrie Forum Design e.V. is an independent association that enhances public awareness of the importance of design, and functions as a mediator between design and industry.

For more information about the iF Product Design Award 2009, visit the iF website at: http://www.ifdesign.de.