Trucks – creators of international markets

By shrinking the distance between communities, trucks enable producers to market their products more widely. As such, trucks have changed our lives immeasurably.

While the first trucks were slow, unreliable and had limited ranges, entrepreneurs the world over were quick to see the potential this revolutionary new form of transport offered. Unlike rail networks trucks offered door-to-door convenience, bringing about entirely new levels of service for producers and consumers alike.

As road networks developed, so did the truck. From Gottlieb Daimler's 1896 breakthrough Motor-Lastwagen (motorised load carriage) with its 4hp engine and 1,500kg payload, through to today's 450hp 40-tonne gross vehicle weight long haul trucks, the truck's story is not just one of innovation but also of societal change.

By promoting the truck's story, FIVA's Utilitarian Commission showcases the evolution of this vital form of transport and keeps its heritage alive.