The Commercial Vehicle Show returns to Birmingham

Every aspect of the UK road transport sector will be covered at the Commercial Vehicle Show this April, offering visitors the opportunity to see a wide variety of options to help them operate and maintain a safe, efficient and effective fleet

Registrations of new heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) rose 5.3 per cent to 46,231 units in 2016, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This marks the sector’s third consecutive year of growth. The year ended on a positive note, with 13,555 new HGVs registered in Q4 – a 2.3 per cent improvement on the same period in 2015.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Another year of growth for the HGV market in 2016 is a positive sign for the sector, particularly as it follows such an exceptionally strong 2015. HGVs are essential for
transporting vital goods around the country and their demand provides a barometer for the UK economy, so these results are certainly welcome. Looking ahead, we must ensure business uncertainty is minimised so that this success continues.”

Moving heavy goods

Heavy goods vehicles will have a significant presence at this year’s CV Show, which takes place at the NEC, Birmingham from 25-27 April.

DAF Trucks will attend the CV Show with the theme of DAF Transport Efficiency, returning to its traditional location in Hall 5 adjacent to an additional, large outside exhibition area, which will be home to the company’s new Showtrekker hospitality trailer.

DAF Transport Efficiency encompasses a range of product enhancements such as silent mode and predictive cruise control, supported by its range of customer support services, namely, DAFaid, DAF MultiSupport R&M packages, DAF Parts and PACCAR Financial.

On show will be a mix of models from the company’s LF, CF and XF ranges supported by DAF experts from across the company. DAF Trucks in-house finance division, PACCAR Financial, will also be present, showing DAF First Choice, its approved used programme.

Meanwhile, MAN will be using the show for the UK public debut of its new van – the TGE – alongside its range of heavy trucks.

“The TGE will fit seamlessly into the MAN family and will mean there is an MAN vehicle to meet every application across the commercial transport market,” said Martin Pickering, MAN Truck and Bus marketing communications manager.

The MAN TGE will fill the requirement for a light commercial vehicle with a gross weight rating between 3 tonnes and 5.5 tonnes and will be ideal for everyday light transport tasks in the transport and haulage sector.
“The attraction of the CV Show for a leading manufacturer such as MAN is not just the number of visitors, but the quality of those visitors. It is a fabulous networking opportunity for us and allows us to meet with our existing clients and build strong leads with potential customers,” added Pickering.

Finally, Iveco will be represented via Guest Trucks, its biggest heavy truck dealer group, which will also have a sizeable stand.

CV Show director, Rob Skelton, said: “We’re delighted to see DAF, MAN and Iveco via Guest Trucks returning to the CV Show in 2017. Heavy trucks are a vital part of the freight and logistics industry in the UK and their presence adds a real attraction to the show, as well as giving the manufacturers the opportunity to connect with some of the key players across the haulage industry and demonstrate their products and services, all from one venue.”

Representing the whole industry

Of course, it’s not just the trucks that will draw the crowds to CV Show 2017. As the largest and most comprehensive road freight transport, distribution and logistics event staged in Britain, the CV Show caters for every operator’s requirements and is purposely designed to be a one-stop shop for anyone involved in associated industries.

Unrivalled in size, product range and visitor attendance, the Commercial Vehicle Show attracted around 21,000 high quality visitors in 2016, many with serious buying power.
This year, there will be an additional 5,000 square metres of space being made available in Hall three to meet the increased demand.
As well as vehicles, ancillary suppliers will offer products such as handling equipment, insurance, logistics, tyres, telematics, training providers, fuels, lubricants, and much more.
Vehicle manufacturers exhibiting at the 2017 Show include Citroën UK, Fiat Professional, Ford, Isuzu UK, LDV, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Renault UK, SsangYong, Toyota, and Volkswagen. Many are planning new range additions and the Commercial Vehicle Show will be a chance for visitors to see them for the first time.

In addition to vehicle manufacturers, bodywork, trailer and tanker builders will use the Commercial Vehicle Show as their shop window. Among the exhibitors in this sector are Cartwright Group, Don‑Bur, Feldbinder UK, Kögel, Lawrence David, Maisonneuve, Magyar, Montracon, RTN Group, SDC Trailers, Tiger Trailers and Whale Tankers.

The Cool Pavilion in Hall 3a offers visitors a wide variety of temperature controlled products and services. Specialist trailer and bodybuilders including Chereau, Coolertech, Coolkit, Gray and Adams, Paneltex and Solomon Commercials have booked stands, and so have refrigeration equipment suppliers Carrier Transicold, Thermo King and Frigoblock.

Innovation lab

Hall 3 has been opened for the 2017 show and will this year have the CV show Innovation Lab for the first time. Daily seminars will be held in this area covering a range of topics and latest developments in the commercial vehicle sector. Please go to the CV show website for more details and reservation arrangements.

The specialist Workshop area in Hall 4 is aimed at the commercial vehicle and passenger car maintenance and repair sector, and attracts decision makers from franchised dealers, independent garages, fleet workshops, body repair shops and wholesalers. Leading exhibitors in this area are Eclipse Diagnostics, Gemco, Maha, Tecalemit Garage Equipment, Totalkare Heavy Workshop Solutions, and V-Tech.
Racking and storage solutions for LCVs will be available from Bott, Bri-Stor Systems, Rhino Products, Sortimo International, System Edstrom and Tevo,

Operating costs are key for the commercial vehicle industry; fuel, maintenance, driver safety and communications all mean money and telematics can go a long way towards making every penny count for fleet operators. These systems can be tailored to companies of any size with vehicle tracking, tachograph analysis, fuel economy or a fully integrated package covering every area of operation.

Tyres play a critical role in the success of any transport operation, with their importance to fleet safety and performance. Operators have the perfect opportunity to compare suppliers including Apollo, Bandvulc, Bridgestone, Michelin, RH Claydon, Continental, Double Coin, GITI Tire, Goodyear, Hankook, KwikFit, Sailun, TD Tyres and TIA Wheels.

The Commercial Vehicle Show is owned by The CV Show LLP comprising the Road Haulage Association, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and IRTE Services, the trading company of the Society of Operations Engineers.