What’s challenging for you? Andreas Söderström, winner of Young European Truck Driver 2010, often reverses his truck between gate posts with only centimetre margins on either side.

“Planning and calmness are important characteristics for anyone who wants to win a driver competition,” says Andreas Söderström, the 2010 Young European Truck Driver champion.

Precision manoeuvring in the daily work

With only centimetres left on each side of the vehicle, Andreas Söderström quickly reverses his huge Scania truck between two stone pillars for a delivery of gravel.

“When it’s really tight it’s better to reverse than to drive forward. I keep an eye on the rear lamps with the rear view mirrors,” he says.

Together with his father, Söderström runs the transport company Göran Söderströms Åkeri in Ingelstad, Sweden. The company fleet consists of four trucks that mainly transport asphalt, gravel and woodchips.

Different challenges

No job is exactly the same. Some mornings Söderström begins his day at an asphalt plant, others in a gravel pit, and others still begin with him taking containers close to felled forests and then transporting woodchips to pulp factories or power and heating plants.

Transporting woodchips on narrow forest roads instilled in Söderström the importance of planning his driving. Forest driving can be unforgiving, and with no help for kilometres; there is no room for mistakes.

“I usually start my work day at five or six o’clock in the morning and don’t return home until between four and seven o’clock in the evening,” he says.

When Söderström signed up for the competition in 2010 he didn’t know much about it, and had almost no experience driving a truck with a semi-trailer. Still he managed to advance from the regional final to win the Swedish final and ultimately the European final.

“The toughest moment in the competition came when I was reversing and trying to stop the vehicle no more than 20 centimetres from a wall,” he says. “In those types of situations it’s extremely important to use the rear view mirrors.”

Grew with the mission

Söderström’s improbable run began with some apprehension, but by applying his maxim of planning and calmness he forged onwards, finally ending up with the championship and a 100,000 euro gift certificate which he promptly converted into a new Scania R 620.

“The truck came in very handy as we had planned to replace a three-axle truck with a new four-axle to cope with the requirements of our big asphalt customer,” Söderström explains.

“If I hadn’t won, I probably would have bought a Scania R 560. Now, with the R 620, I have access to 60 extra horsepower. I didn’t go for an automated gearbox, however, since I have better control over my driving with a manual one,” he says.

Tight margins are not a problem when you know what you’re doing. Skilled drivers have a good chance of making it to the Young European Truck Driver 2012 final to compete for a Scania truck worth 100,000 euros. Andreas Söderström did in 2010. Is 2012 your year?

Söderström also selected winter tyres from Michelin for his new truck, the optimal choice for grip and durability. He’ll use them all year, at least to start with.

Encouraging other drivers

More topically, he has just signed up for this year’s driver competitions.
“The victory has led to much attention and that has been fun,” says Söderström.

Even if he doesn’t win a truck this year, putting one’s skills up against other top drivers in the field is a stimulating experience.

Read more and register below

What is new in this fifth round of competitions?

What lessons have you learned from previous competitions?
“That we are on the right path. Many drivers come back and compete year after year, and in addition the number of contestants has gradually increased. Some of our coordinators out in the markets have also participated several times. Their enthusiasm is contagious, which is one reason why more markets want to join the competitions.”

Scania Driver Competitions is the largest and most demanding truck driver competition in the world. More than 55,000 drivers from across 39 countries are expected to compete to be declared the best truck drivers in Scania Driver Competitions 2012.

Read more and register below

Initiated in 2003, the Scania Driver Competitions were originally held in Europe. They have since spread out globally, evolving into challenging events that highlight the importance of the skills of drivers, as well as driver training and development to enhance road safety awareness and proficient eco-driving.

“The driver is the single most important factor for economy, environment and safety,” says Leif Östling, President and CEO, Scania. “Skilled and committed drivers deliver transport efficiently, reduce emissions, contribute to better road safety and improve any company’s profitability. These types of drivers are real assets and prove that environmental pursuits and positive financial results can go hand-in-hand.”

Over the next few months driver competitions will be launched worldwide, including such disparate places as Australia, Brazil, Hong Kong, Argentina, Korea, Mexico, Singapore, China, Chile, Malaysia, Peru and South Africa, as well as across Europe.

More info and registration

Andreas Söderström's vehicle, a purple painted Scania R 620, was delivered with a five-year maintenance and repair contract and included insurance coverage for one year from Scania.

When Andreas Söderström took possession of his Young European Truck Driver prize, there was an air of familiarity. In fact, Söderström assisted in the production of the truck when he visited the chassis assembly in Södertälje in March.

“Not that many people have the opportunity to assist in lifting the cab in place on the chassis of their new truck,” says Söderström.

The vehicle, a purple painted Scania R 620, was delivered with a five-year maintenance and repair contract and included insurance coverage for one year from Scania.

After acquiring the vehicle it was put into operation almost immediately, assisting in asphalt work close to Söderström’s home.

“We had to ensure that the platform opening system worked properly with the new hook loader.”

A turbulent time
“The period following the YETD final was overwhelming but fun,” says Söderström. “To stand there be appointed the best truck driver in Europe was great. It was a great feeling to go back home with one of the competition vehicles.

“The period following the YETD final was overwhelming but fun,” says Söderström.

I was out on the road delivering asphalt immediately after that thrilling weekend. That’s how it is running your own company: full speed all the time.”

The new vehicle comes in handy at the company Söderström runs with his father Göran. Since the contest, Andreas has been a partner in the family business.

“It felt like the right time and he has really shown he knows the business,” says Göran.

With Scania Driver Competitions and Young European Truck Driver for 2012 currently in the planning, it’ll soon be time again to appoint the world’s best drivers of heavy vehicles.

The YETD 2010 winner Andreas Söderström takes part in building his own prize - a brand new Scania R-series truck. Click on the image to read more about the truck being built.

To date, more than 100,000 truck drivers from all over the world have participated in Scania Driver Competitions, making it the world’s largest truck driver competition and training event. The fifth edition, planned for 2012, will be organised in more than 40 countries.

Fuel economy, road safety and maneuvering tests as well as knowledge about securing cargo are just a few of the things drivers will have to master to be successful at Scania Driver Competitions 2012.

“Scania Driver Competitions’ goal is to increase the interest in, and subsequently attract more people to, a profession that in recent years has become highly demanding,” says Erik Ljungberg, Senior Vice President, Corporate Relations, Scania.

By participating in the high-profile Scania Driver Competitions, drivers focus on enhancing their driving skills. Consequently, road safety increases and the environmental impact caused by hauling is reduced. This latter point will be crucial in the near future as transport volumes are likely to increase.

“Scania wants to be a part of the solution to increase road safety and decrease the transport industry’s environmental impact,” Ljungberg says. “Scania Driver Competitions focuses on the single most important factor to meet these challenges: the driver.”

According to the European Parliament study “Shortage of Qualified Personnel in Road Freight Transport”, skilled drivers will be in high demand over the next few years. In 2008, the shortage of drivers in Europe was estimated at 70,000. The study suggests a set of measures to address the shortage, such as improving the image of the sector and improving driver skills and qualifications.

The quest for the world’s best heavy truck driver begins in December this year when applicants from all over the world will be invited to register for the Scania Driver Competitions 2012.

Winner of YETD 2010 Andreas Söderström and his father Göran visit Scania chassis assembly.

In October 2010, Andreas Söderström of Sweden won the Young European Truck Driver competition and thereby became Europe’s best truck driver. His first prize was a totally new Scania truck, which he himself could specify.

Söderström was present when the truck was manufactured at the Scania production unit in Södertälje.

“It will be the most powerful V8 you can get with a manual gearbox, an R-series truck with a 620 hp engine,” said Söderström. The truck will be used in his family’s haulage company to transport gravel, chips and asphalt.

Under the supervision of production employees, he was allowed to place the cab on the chassis himself. 

Winner of YETD 2010 Andreas Söderström places the cab on the chassis.

“It feels strange and exciting to see your own truck being manufactured,” said Söderström who took the opportunity to autograph the bottom of the cab before it was lowered into place.

The truck will now continue to bodybuilders and painters to be finished into a complete skip-loader before it can begin to be used in day-to-day work.

“We’ll see whether we sell off the truck Andreas drives today or whether we can expand our business,” said his father Göran Söderström, who owns the haulage company. “We haven’t really decided yet.”

Winner of YETD 2010 Andreas Söderström. Now the the quest for the world's best truck driver 2012 has begun. Click the picture to find out more.

The three finalists meet in the last round
Click here to view the embedded video.
View the entire YETD final here

After his victory, Andreas’ father Göran drove the R-series tractor unit – elaborately decorated with a large ribbon bow – back home to the southern Swedish town of Växjö. At the local Scania dealer, Atteviks, some 40 family and friends met up to pay tribute to Europe’s best young truck driver.

But Monday morning it was back to work as usual, transporting asphalt and concrete for the family haulage business, Göran Söderströms Åkeri. “I’m quite overwhelmed and it’s tremendously fun to have won,” says Andreas, whose mobile phone has been overloaded with congratulations from friends. “But it wasn’t any easier to get out of bed this morning for work.”

He still feels a bit shaken by all the attention. “It’s been a tough weekend and I’ve been terribly nervous. One might be led to believe that I’m really cool in these situations, but in fact I was nervous throughout the competition.”

Immediately upon hearing about the victory, Atteviks, decided to organise celebrations. Salesman Tomas Pettersson notes that Andreas’ victory is good for their business as well. And as celebrations were under way, the Swedish regional TV news, Smålandsnytt, came by to record and film their local hero. When asked how he was able to win, Andreas answered: “Not having driven a tractor and semi-trailer before, I shouldn’t have stood a chance. But I succeeded, thanks to a lot of luck and some skill.”

 Click here to view the embedded video.

Andreas Söderström and the prize - a brand new R-series truck

“The price goes straight into our family business, Göran Söderström’s transport company”, promised Andreas, who is fourth generation Söderstrom behind the steering wheel.

A few minutes after the dramatic final nhis heart is till pounding and Europe’s best young truck drivers have not yet really understood how he managed to defeat the much more experienced Patrick Schildmann from Germany and Zarko Tokic from Austria. After two initial blunders Andreas was left behind his competitors and the huge audience didn´t count on him any longer.

“But I’m good at getting myself together. I decided to take no more chances to catch up with the other two, just go for safety”, says Andreas.

He finished magnificently, came out of nowhere, got the last moments perfectly and was in the end a clear winner.

Before the final, his hopes was to end up among the ten best young truck drivers in Europe. To win was just a dream for the second-youngest of the finalists.

“It’s really crazy. I’ve hardly practiced anything with a tractor and semi-trailer in the past. Just a few hours an afternoon when I went to school – that’s all. Yet it went so well. I just can’t believe I’m the best in the competition, with thousands of drivers from all over Europe!”

Andreas and his father transport asphalt and gravel during the summer and fuel chips in the winter. Narrow and difficult roads with heavy loads in the forests of Småland is their daily lives.

“That’s where I learned to run with such precision. Clearly, I have benefited from my daily work for this contest.”

The current truck Andreas has had for seven years. Ha had planned to change to a new Scania within one or two years.

“Now it came a bit faster…”

And the price he will use for more than running asphalt and wooden chips.

“I will also use it to train for the next Young European Truck Driver!”

Sweden’s Andreas Söderström winner of YETD 2010

Congratulations, Andreas Söderström – Europe’s best truck driver.

After a day of intense competition, stress and challenging precision manoeuvres, Andreas Söderström from Sweden entered the stage and received first prize for YETD 2010 – a trophy and the keys to a brand new Scania R-series truck.

The final round of YETD was an exciting fight between Söderström, Germany’s Patrick Schildmann and Zarko Tokic from Austria. Ultimately, Söderström was the clear victor.

Click here to view the embedded video.

As winner of Young European Truck Driver 2010, Andreas Söderström receives a new Scania R-series truck at an approximate value of 100,000 euros. This includes a one-year vehicle insurance policy from Scania Insurance.

The runner-up, Germany’s Patrick Schildmann, was awarded a VIP weekend for two persons at the Le Mans 24-hour race. This prize is sponsored by the tyre manufacturer Michelin.

The third-place winner, Zarko Tokic from Austria, received a VIP package for a DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft or German Touring Car Championships) weekend in Germany. This prize is sponsored by Volkswagen.

During YETD 2010, Scania has introduced a special productivity award for fuel efficient driving. The winner in this category was Norway’s Stian Østby. He received a cheque worth 1,200 euro.

Andreas Söderström - winner of Young European Truck Driver 2010!