The 2016 Commercial Vehicle Show – now in its 15th year – has a strong emphasis on the lighter end of the market with several large truck and specialised transport manufacturers bowing out as exhibitors.
Notable names not taking part this year include MAN, Scania, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, Nooteboom, Goldhofer and Scheurle.
Richard Burnett, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association (RHA), said, “The UK vehicle market is undergoing a rapid change and truck sales are up despite an economy that is still in recovery. But this year, truck manufacturers are conspicuous by their absence. Since the advent of Euro-6 there are no imminent launches planned, but we are pleased that there is still a commitment to the future.”
This year’s show is took place on 26 to 28 April at the NEC showground in Birmingham, UK – across three exhibition halls covering 50,000 square metres. The organisers were expecting greater visitor numbers than the previous year, which saw almost 20,000 people pass through the doors.
News from the show
Taking a stand at the show for the first time, German semi-trailer manufacturer Kassbohrer said they were “ramping up operations in the UK”. The company has a K.SLA 4 extendable low bed semi trailer with four axle lines, a K.STC 30 created for chemical transportation, and a K.SPW.XS heavy duty platform developed exclusively for the UK market.
DOLL Fahrzeugbau had a successful first day of the show with Rudiger Eigelsbach, UK sales manager for heavy haulage, confirming that the three axle low loader with panther technology on show – the TS3-S3F/25 – had sold within the first hour. Panther is the industry’s first hydraulic, independent wheel suspension especially designed for low-loaders and heavy haulage vehicles, the company said.
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) unveiled their Truck Excellence scheme – a voluntary, industry-governed scheme designed to raise standards and recognise excellence in the operation and management of large goods vehicles.
FTA also released their 2016 logistics report.
