Adding new ideas to your CV

The Commercial Vehicle Show once again opens its door to commercial vehicle operators on 26-28 April at Birmingham’s NEC, with far greater choice than any other exhibition serving the sector. GreenFleet looks ahead to a trailer load of innovation and interest at the show.

The Commercial Vehicle (CV) Show is the largest and most comprehensive road freight transport, distribution and logistics event staged in Britain, catering for every operator’s requirements and purposely designed to provide a truly rewarding and informative day.

Held under one roof, at the UK’s best connected venue by road, rail or air, visitors will discover hundreds of exhibitors spanning the whole road freight transport, distribution and logistics supply business. This ranges from truck, van and trailer manufacturers through to fork lift trucks, insurers, tyre, telematics and training providers, fuels and lubricants suppliers.

With close to 21,000 visitors attending the CV Show 2016, the event remains the ‘go-to’ event for anyone involved in operating commercial vehicles, logistics and distribution based businesses.

Workshop 2016

To ensure your vehicles are kept running at maximum efficiency, the Workshop sector will showcase everything from OE components and replacement parts to maintenance management systems, garage, workshop and bodyshop equipment.

Workshop is an integral and essential part of the renowned CV Show and underlines the need for regular vehicle maintenance, whether it is for passenger cars, vans, light or heavy trucks. It aims to be an all‑encompassing shop window spanning the whole automotive aftermarket and CV maintenance sector. Wholesalers will be looking for ideas and solutions often critical to the success or failure of their businesses – which can be anything from small car components to a 44-tonne vehicle lift.

Many of the visitors run fleets of cars, vans and trucks. Companies like Centrica, BT and RAC operate huge numbers of vehicles and spend serious sums on replacement parts and garage equipment. Workshop is supported by both the Garage Equipment Association (GEA) and the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF).

Entering the cool zone

For those moving goods that require a constantly controlled temperature the Cool sector is a must visit. Here visitors will come face‑to‑face with a huge range of refrigerated vehicles and bodywork, side by side with the latest fridge units, monitoring equipment and other products specific to cold chain operations. For transport operators moving goods that need to be kept at a constantly controlled temperature the Cool zone at the CV Show is top of the visit list. A massive range of refrigerated vehicles and bodywork will be showcased, with the latest fridge units and systems, monitoring equipment and many other products and services specific to cold chain operations on display.

Cool 2016 has its own logo and identity and will again be positioned between the visitor entrances to NEC halls 3a and 4, therefore benefiting from high footfall from both sides.

Meticulous floor planning ensures visitors can easily find the companies, products and services they are looking for.

Here come the vans

The latest new vans from some of the best‑known names in the light commercial vehicle industry are set to be a major draw at the 2016 CV Show, with key manufacturers such as Citroën, Fiat, Ford, Isuzu, Iveco, LDV, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Toyota and Volkswagen all taking high-profile stand space at the free-to-attend event.

One of the biggest names to make a comeback is Volkswagen, which will be using the show to exhibit its latest Transporter and Caddy. The German manufacturer will also be announcing a new Converter Recognition Programme. The Programme builds on the company’s existing Engineered For You and Engineered To Go schemes and will ensure VW conversions meet operators’ needs and expectations while widening the range of approved conversions available on VWCV bodies.

The scheme will allow customers to access a one-stop-shop for converted vehicles, meaning the whole vehicle can be ordered through the Van Centre. The programme stipulates that any conversion warranty must match that of the base vehicle.

Commenting on the brand’s decision to return to the CV Show, Kirsten Stagg, head of marketing, said: “We’re looking forward to being back at the CV Show in April. It’s great timing for us to consolidate the launches of the new Caddy and Transporter, as well as to meet customers and provide opportunities for our teams and those from our dedicated Van Centre network to build relationships.

“Meeting customers at the show gives us a chance to understand their requirements and demonstrate how we can support them and their businesses.”

Also making a welcome return is Toyota, which will be exhibiting the latest variants of its light commercial range, appearing at the CV Show for the first time since 2008.

Gareth Matthews, Toyota LCV manager, said: “We are looking forward to returning to the CV show in 2016. The venue will provide us the perfect opportunity to demonstrate how we plan to increase Toyota presence and product line-up in the light commercial vehicle market. Further information regarding how we will develop this strategy will be revealed in the coming weeks.”

Other show highlights will be Mitsubishi, showcasing the very latest L200 pick-up, and the long anticipated return of the LDV name, with the new Chinese-built V80 panel van expected to make its UK debut.

The 2016 CV Show will also feature a massive range of racking and storage solutions for LCV’s from the likes of Bott, Bri-Stor, Rhino, Sortimo, System Edstrom, Tevo and many others, along with a range of goods from smaller suppliers designed to make the art of personalising a van or making it fit for a specific job much easier.

Celebrating LCVs

Renault is looking to build on recent sales success, after enjoying its 18th consecutive year as Europe’s best selling LCV brand. In 2015, Renault LCV sales in the UK reached their highest ever level, and the company will be marking this with a strong presence at the CV Show 2016.

Renault’s stand in Hall 5 will showcase 11 vehicles that illustrate the diversity and versatility of the manufacturer’s LCV offering with themes of design, technology and conversions. The stand will also provide an insight into the recently-introduced Pro+ specialist dealer network which is set to double in size in the UK by 2017.

On display will be everything from a Master LHL35 RWD with 17 cubic metres of load space, to the Kangoo Z.E electric van and Twizy Cargo. Official conversions will include the Master-based Welbus conversion and the public debut of the 3.5‑tonne Master Passenger that can be driven on a normal driving licence. All Renault LCVs come with Renault’s four-year, 100,000-mile warranty with roadside assistance.

Renault’s Euro 6 advancements will be demonstrated by several engine displays, and representatives from Financial Services, Renault Aftersales and Renault iCare will be available to speak to stand visitors about any finance or ownership queries.

Kwik Fit, the UK’s largest automotive repair company, will be using the show as a platform to promote its capability to serve the UK light commercial sector, after extending its business into vehicle servicing and MoTs as well as traditional fast-fit services.

Kwik Fit fleet director Peter Lambert said: “The CV Show is the shop window for commercial vehicle operators and, at the event four years ago, Kwik Fit launched its improved service to light commercial vehicle fleets, small business, sole traders and the retail market.

“Since then demand for Kwik Fit’s light commercial vehicle tyre fitting offer and expanded range of mechanical services has increased significantly, particularly as the number of vans on the UK’s roads continues to rise rapidly. The Show continues to provide a major focus for Kwik Fit to promote its comprehensive range of services to the sector, to secure new business opportunities and to network with existing customers.”

Hong Kong-based Shenzhen Sinopoly Battery Limited, part of the FDG Group, is using the CV Show to highlight its electric vehicle operations. The group is building an innovative marketing platform for the latest in green technology, including electric vehicles and the recycling of lithium-ion and energy storage batteries.

There are two new electric vehicle R&D centres that form part of the Company: Jasmin New Energy Electric Vehicle R&D Center and Shanghai’s Sinopoly Battery Research Centre Limited.

The Group has two advanced lithium-ion battery production plants, the Sinopoly Liaoyuan Plant and the Sinopoly Tianjin Plant, as well as two new electric vehicle manufacturing plants, the core plant of Hangzhou Changjiang Automobile Co and the coach production base of Yunnan FDG Automobile.

Together, the two automotive production bases say they are capable of producing 100,000 electric vehicles per year. FDG has a full product line ranging from pure electric cars to commercial vehicles and 12-metre long buses.

Tankers and trailers

Some of the best known trailer and tanker builders in the world will use the Commercial Vehicle Show as their shop window. Among the high profile exhibitors in this sector are Cartwright Group, Doll Fahrzeugbau, Don-Bur, Feldbinder UK, Fuller Tankers, Kässbohrer, Maisonneuve, Magyar, Montracon, SDC Trailers, Tiger Trailers and Whale Tankers. With Reefer specialists Chereau and Gray & Adams also exhibiting, the show promises an impressive display at the business end of road transport.

Making its CV Show debut will be Kässbohrer, which has manufacturing facilities in Germany, Turkey and Russia and is looking forward to expanding its market presence in the UK after returning to the British market very recently.

Kässbohrer CEO Iffet Turken said: “The CV Show is the ideal place for us to learn more about the UK market and to meet our customers and our suppliers, as well as to develop new business relationships. It’s a very cost-effective way for us to meet a lot of people in the road haulage industry, many of whom may not have seen our products before.”

UK-based manufacturer SDC were the first to return to the CV Show after the dark days of the recession and have been ever present since. For 2016, they will be exhibiting their latest Aeroliner, along with other high volume trailers.

Cheshire-based Tiger Trailers now has well over 1,200 trailers and products of various types operating on UK and European roads, with the company looking to forge more relationships with new clients at the CV Show 2016.

To demonstrate the diversity of its product range, Tiger is exhibiting its Mega Straight Frame Chassis with a curtainside body. The trailer has a full length lifting deck with a lifting roof, which allows it to be 100 per cent loaded on both the top and bottom decks.

Compared to traditional UK step frame design lifting decks, the Tiger offering claims a load fill increase of 20 per cent. In addition, the chassis is fully galvanised, and comes with an eight-year anti-corrosion warranty. SAF axles with high lift air bags and a Knorr Bremse braking system are also fitted.

All of Tiger’s bodies, from rigid and urban semitrailers, through to double deck van or curtain combinations are manufactured at the company’s new state-of-the-art facility in Winsford, Cheshire.

Refrigeration

Meanwhile, French refrigerated trailer builder Chereau will have a busy stand in the Cool Zone, following news that the Normandy-based company has recently merged with Spanish builder SOR to form a new reefer giant.

Chereau’s Christophe Danton said: “Our aim is to become the biggest reefer manufacturer on the market. As well as celebrating that, we will also be showing our new Smart Open-C trailer – unlike most refrigerated units, the roller shutter opens on the outside of the container, allowing it to be open and closed quickly, which is a huge benefit to temperature controlled distribution.”

Chereau has also just celebrated a major milestone, with over 100,000 of its units sold. The Chereau 100,000-Series special edition trailer will be the highlight of the company’s stand, with 50 of them destined for the UK market.

On the tanker side, regular CV Show exhibitor G Magyar will be showing a range of its tankers, semi-trailers and swap tanks, suitable for all purposes from chemicals and petroleum to liquids and foodstuffs.

Rob Skelton, CV Show director, said: “Trailers and tankers really are the backbone of the road transport and logistics industry – what’s on the back of the truck is as important as the truck itself when it comes to transporting goods in a controlled and safe manner. The wealth of exhibitors in this sector that are using the CV Show to demonstrate the diversity of their products shows just how significant this sector of the industry is.”