Should the CV Show change its name to LCV Show?
It’s no secret that if you wanted to see a line-up of the latest truck ranges in this part of the world, you wouldn’t find it at the annual Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham.
One industry expert told us that it has been “dying a death” from that perspective for many years. This hasn’t gone unnoticed – we have commented on it previously.
A recent CV Show press release said it will have a truck zone with a number of tractor units from Iveco, HVS (its hydrogen heavy-duty tractor unit), Renault Trucks (a battery-electric 18T E-Tech D Wide rigid from the Vertellus fleet) and Volta Trucks, that will be joined by expert representatives to talk about delivering net zero ambitions.
If you want to see the truck line-ups and new truck launches and applications, you should possibly consider instead checking out Road Transport EXPO, taking place south of Birmingham at the NAEC Stoneleigh, in Kenilworth (CV8 2LZ). Their exhibitor list has all the big CV/truck manufacturers listed: Mercedes-Benz Trucks, DAF, Scania, Volvo, Renault Trucks, MAN Truck & Bus, and Iveco.
The Road Transport EXPO takes place from 28-30 June, and it is a free-to-attend event for anyone involved with the running of a HGV fleet. The CV Show (all of one hall and a bit of another) is also free to attend next week.
The Road Transport EXPO website says that it provides the opportunity to meet more than 200 suppliers, including all major truck-makers, in one vast venue. You can check out the latest trailers, tyres, tippers, tankers, safety equipment and much, much more.
CV or LCV Show
Getting back to the question posed in our headline, should the CV Show become the LCV Show? There is a big presence there by Ford and Harris Maxus, with Isuzu, Nissan UK, and Iveco also there with stands. See details of what they are exhibiting later on.
There is no sign of some big LCV manufacturers including all of the following exhibiting vans, pick-ups Stellantis (Citroen, Fiat Professional, Peugeot or Vauxhall/Opel), Volkswagen, Renault, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, or others such as LEVC, Land Rover, SsangYong (soon to be rebranded as KG Mobility), or others.
LCVs that will be there
Ford of Britain will be showcasing its new Transit Custom range and the all-electric E-Transit on their stands. Also featuring will be a new Ranger line up including the V6-powered Raptor. The E-Transit Courier will also make its public debut.
Maxus will unveil what it describes as an exciting new eLCV to market – we suspect that this will be the all-new eDeliver 7. Maxus will also have its T90EV zero-emission pickup, plus its flagship eDeliver 3 and eDeliver 9 and MIFA 9 all-electric MPV.
The Nissan Motor GB stand will feature the new all-electric Townstar – it takes over from the pioneering e-NV200. Its stand will also feature the recently upgraded Primastar and Interstar.
Then, there is the first public viewing in the UK of the new all-electric Iveco LGV eDaily. Finally, Isuzu will likely feature its multi-award winning D-Max pick-up range.
You can decide for yourself what name the show should have, but some of those not exhibiting just believe that the show has gotten tired and should at least not be an annual exhibition.
Other organisations maybe about to capitalise on these and other issues.