Industry writers honour XM Satellite Radio

TORONTO (April 9, 2002) — The Truck Writers of North America has selected XM Satellite Radio as winner of its 12th annual Technical Achievement Award.

The award, chosen by industry journalists, is intended to celebrate technical excellence in a new product or service that improves business life for the truck operators of North America. The product or service must have been introduced within the previous calendar year

“The winner must be something with the potential to have a broad effect on the trucking industry,” said TWNA president Rolf Lockwood, who presented the award to Neil Eastman, XM’s vice-president, advanced applications, during the recent annual meeting of the Technology & Maintenance Council in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “XM Satellite Radio fulfills those criteria admirably.”

XM delivers audio programming via satellite, which provides a clear digital signal across the United States. For a monthly subscription fee, users can listen to 100 channels featuring music, sports, talk, news, and other entertainment programming. XM radios are available at major electronics retailers, and as factory options from Freightliner and several car manufacturers. Subscriptions are not yet available in Canada.

Second place was won by Nexiq Technologies for its revolutionary eTechnician remote vehicle diagnostics tool, while third place was won jointly by Truck-Lite and Intra Technologies for their headlamp-life extender. Other finalists included Michelin’s X-One tire and Hendrickson’s Airtek front suspension.

Previous victors have included engines, transmissions, tires, mufflers, and lights, among others. The very first TWNA Technical Achievement Award was won in 1990 by Grote Industries for the industry’s first LED lamp. Grote has sponsored the winner’s trophy every year since then.

TWNA is comprised of most journalists writing about the North American trucking industry in various media, as well as many public relations professionals who join as associate members. Nominations for the Technical Achievement Award can be made by any TWNA member, but the winner is ultimately chosen by a select committee of veteran journalists. This year’s judges were Paul Abelson, John Baxter, Tom Berg, Tom Gelinas, Bill Hudgins, Wendy Leavitt, Steve Sturgess, and Lockwood.