McLEAN, VA - The American Truck Dealers (ATD) announced today the nominees for a national award that recognizes the top truck entries in the heavy- and medium-duty categories.

Nine trucks were nominated for the 2012 ATD Commercial Truck of the Year.

The heavy-duty (Class 8) truck entries are the Freightliner 114SD conventional dump truck, International ProStar+ tractor with MaxxForce 15 engine, Kenworth T660 Regional Hauler with Paccar MX engine and Peterbilt 587 SmartWay conventional tractor.

The medium-duty (Class 3-7) truck entries are the Fuso Canter FE160 low cab forward, Isuzu NPR-HD Gas, Kenworth T440 Conventional, Peterbilt Model 210 low cab forward and UD 2600 low cab forward.

"The nine trucks in the competition for 2012 are the most since the competition began four years ago," said Tom Berg, senior editor of Heavy Duty Trucking magazine and the contest's head judge, adding that the award program is becoming better known among truck manufacturers.

The annual award, which recognizes a winner in both the heavy- and medium-duty truck categories, will be presented at the 2012 ATD Convention and Expo, which is being held for the first time in conjunction with the National Automobile Dealers Association's annual convention in Las Vegas Feb. 3-6.

Four journalists on the judging panel test drove the trucks on an eight-mile course that included rural and highway driving in Dallas on Oct. 14.

Berg said key judging factors included the trucks' overall appearance, cab comfort, noise levels, roominess, ease of getting in and out of the truck and convenience of maintenance.

"How the truck drives, such as steering and handling, has a big impact on the judging panel," he said.

The other judges are Paul Abelson from Land Line magazine, Paul Hartley from Fleet Equipment magazine and Jack Roberts from Commercial Carrier Journal.

For photos of the 2012 ATD Commercial Truck of the Year nominees, click here. (http://www.nada.org/American+Truck+Dealers/ATD+Commercial+Truck+of+the+Year/2012_nominees.htm)

For more information about the 2012 NADA-ATD convention or to register, visit www.nadaconventionandexpo.org.