The Commercial Vehicle Show in April this year was a resounding success, with an increase in visitors flocking to the NEC in Birmingham. Three days in at the NEC saw around 12,000 visitors and witnessed launches of two new large trucks, seven new LCVs and dozens of product and services.
The new hydrogen fuel cell HGV 40-tonne tractor from new UK company, HVS, made its world premiere, drawing large crowds across all three days at the top of the new Truck Zone. Adjacent to this, visitors saw the UK reveal of the Nikola Tre battery electric truck on the Iveco stand, along with new Iveco e-Daily electric LCVs. And around the corner, Maxus drew the covers off its all-new e-Deliver 7 van.
As the UK’s largest commercial vehicle brand, Ford again had a significant presence. This year’s highlights included the all-new Transit Custom and e-Transit Custom, as well as the smaller Transit Connect and e-Transit Connect. Nissan returned to the Show this year to present its all-new Townstar small van, while Isuzu offered the latest updates to its popular D-Max pick-up.
There were also new brand names on display, with B-On and Watt both presenting their new last-mile urban delivery electric vehicles.
The Show saw premieres for trucks, vans, pick-ups, quadricycles and even electric scooters, reflecting the broad spectrum of vehicles used to transport and deliver goods all over the UK and beyond.
Once again, the Show’s two separate live theatres featured a programme full of lively and insightful presentations across all three days. Many of the presentations saw audiences spilling out beyond the designated theatre spaces. Topics ranged from decarbonisation and electric vehicles to safety and driver risk.
Over at the IRTE stand there was plenty of healthy competition, with visitors pitting themselves against the clock (and each other) on the Spark Plug Challenge, devised by Neil Mitchell, EngTech, MSOE, MIRTE, Hon. Secretary of the Northern Centre. A special mention must go to out to all of the apprentices who had a go.
To all of those who attended, it was a pleasure to see you and we are already looking forward to next next year’s show.