A glimpse into the CV Show

Driven by environmental, societal and legislative changes, visitors at this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show will notice an increased number of exhibitors showing electric vehicles and other fuel variants

The Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC Birmingham is the UK’s largest automotive showcase. Running from 30 April to 2 May 2019, it’s the ultimate marketplace for all sectors of the road transport and logistics industry; where operators can meet and network with an unrivalled mix of product, equipment, technical and service providers under one roof.
    
For fleet operators, the biggest attraction of this event is being able to meet suppliers, see what they have to offer and find the solutions that will help them run a fleet more effectively. For exhibitors, the show is a golden chance to reveal product changes as well as new products directly to the people doing the buying.
    
Given its size, scale, range and impact, demand for exhibition space at this show is growing each year. The organisers have allocated 90 per cent of space for 2019 and it looks like being a sell-out. They anticipate more than 450 exhibitors and 21,000 visitors – an increase over 2018 despite political uncertainty.
    
The CV Show is not only a one-stop shop for all sectors of the industry, it’s also a microcosm of what’s happening in the ever-changing world of road transport, including the latest new technologies. This year, for example, visitors will notice an increased number of exhibitors showing electric vehicles and other fuel variants; a rise driven by environmental, societal and legislative changes.
    
The 2019 CV Show is also where supply companies unveil their latest innovations. In recent years, vertical industries have attended as visitors, reflecting robust growth in the van market which attracts businesses that don’t move goods but provide a service like electrical and plumbing contracting, building and catering.

A showcase of major names

Many big-name manufacturers are exhibiting this year. For some, like Vauxhall, the wheel has come full circle and it is returning after a short absence. For others, it’s many years in a row, including Ford, DAF Trucks, Fiat Professional, MAN Truck & Bus, Mitsubishi, Peugeot Citroen, Ssang Yong, Toyota, Volkswagen, Isuzu, and LDV. There’ll also be a strong presence from trailer brands like SDC, Cartwright Group, Lawrence David, and Don-Bur at this year’s show.
    
VW Commercial Vehicles has taken its largest ever display area at the event, exhibiting the latest all-electric versions of the Caddy, Transporter and eCrafter, alongside its latest innovative delivery solution, the eCrafter bike.
    
LDV is returning to the Commercial Vehicle Show this year to showcase its latest range of zero emissions goods vehicles and will be giving away a brand new electric EV80.
    
The first electric vehicle launched as part of the LDV range of commercial vehicles, the EV80 boasts a 120-mile range on a single charge and, thanks to the high-capacity lithium battery, can be fully charged in less than 90 minutes. It is an outstanding vehicle for city driving and is already being used by delivery and utility companies, together with selected city councils, all over the UK.
    
To be in with a chance to win, visitors need to complete a short survey, which can be done online via myldv.co.uk/ldv-ev80-great-give-away.
Vauxhall meanwhile has announced it will return to the CV Show with the global unveiling of the all-new Vivaro van.
    
A proudly British van, the new Vivaro will be built at the Vauxhall plant in Luton and, with the plant’s capacity due to increase to 100,000 units per year, manufacturing at Bedfordshire the factory has been safeguarded until at least 2025.
    
“As a British brand since 1903 and the UK’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, we’re delighted to reveal the all-new Luton-built Vivaro,” said Derek Wilson, Vauxhall’s LCV Director. “Practical, comfortable, economical and packed with all latest driver assistance and connectivity technology, the all-new new Vivaro is the vehicle that sits at the heart of our commercial vehicle range.”
    
Vauxhall has also said it will offer a fully electric version of the van in 2020.

Trucking giants

DAF Trucks is returning with a broad line-up of its product range, as well as its latest aftersales initiatives and support services and is located in Hall 5.
    
Phillip Moon, marketing manager of DAF Trucks, said: “We are delighted to be exhibiting at the CV Show again this year in line with our intention to attend the show on a two-yearly cycle. The CV Show always provides us with a great opportunity to network with customers, both existing and new, plus a chance to exhibit our LF, CF and XF product range.”
    
MAN Truck & Bus is set to premiere four key product updates. The MAN XLION 6x2 Tractor, the TGE Flatframe Chassis Cowl, the TGE Minibus and the MAN D15 engines will all be making their first UK appearances at the event, alongside several other key product displays for MAN, including a feature on its alternative fuels expertise. Taking a large stand in Hall 5 as well as two external exhibits, MAN will be showcasing its expanded product portfolio as a full-range supplier to the industry.

Workshop and Cool Zones

Like last year, the CV Show will have two dedicated zones to help visitors navigate their way easily to sector suppliers. The Workshop Zone includes exhibitors in the automotive aftermarket and CV maintenance sector. They range from original equipment components and replacement parts to the very latest in maintenance management systems, garage and bodyshop equipment.
    
Continental Automotive is exhibiting in the Workshop area and will also be hosting three days of seminars discussing the Future of Transportation and the Smart Tachograph
    
Taking place in the Piazza Room 9 at the NEC, the seminars will be run at set times throughout the three days and will last one hour or so. If you wish to attend please contact: uk@vdo.com or complete the online form at www.vdo-fleet.co.uk/save-the-date/
    
The Cool Zone is where visitors will find everything to do with temperature-controlled transport and equipment for cool chain operators in sectors such as food and pharmaceuticals. There’ll be a huge range of refrigerated vehicles and bodywork for operators to view, along with fridge units, monitoring equipment and other systems.
    
Refrigerated van conversion supplier Coolkit is preparing to display its latest refrigerated VW Crafter van featuring its latest cold chain technology at the 2019 CV Show.
    
The VW Crafter Trendline model will display the capabilities of Coolkit’s latest dual-temperature conversion that allows for chilled and frozen goods to be carried simultaneously. The vehicle will also showcase the abilities of a lightweight movable bulkhead which, thanks to its GRP high-impact reinforced construction, allows for load increases of up to 150kg, with the benefit of increased flexibility.
    
Thermo King and Frigoblock will be featuring their portfolio of refrigeration solutions which are ready for electrification, LEZ and EU-regulations.
    
Products presented at the booth 3B60 will show how both brands harness the power of electricity, data and clean technology and deliver solutions that today answer customers’ needs for future proof refrigerated transport.
     
“This CV Show, we will show our latest line-up of solutions, which meet the environmental sustainability objectives of customers and legislators determined to control exhaust emissions and limit noise in densely populated areas,“ said Pauli Johannesen, vice president and general manager for truck, trailer and bus at Thermo King in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

“We will also introduce the newest additions to our zero-emission, all electric and hybrid systems, including new, prototype technology, which we will showcase together with our customers from the retail and food service sectors.”