New Launches
Show Report: CV Show 2012
What a cracking event the 2012 Commercial Vehicle Show turned out to be, thanks in no small part to Ford… Read More
Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Long-Term Test 1
We has just taken delivery of a Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Club Cab for long-term appraisal… Read More
Ford Transit ECOnetic Brief Test
We’ve been putting a SWB 100hp 2.2TDi Euro 5 Transit 280 ECOnetic through its paces… Read More
Renault Kangoo ZE 2011 European Launch
Renault is at the forefront of manufacturers offering a mass produced factory-built electric van… Read More
Fuso Canter 2011 European Launch
Fuso has completely revamped its range of light and heavy truck Canter chassis and chassis crew cabs… Read More
Iveco Daily 2011 European Launch
Iveco has introduced new, latest generation diesels to its Daily range, along with detail changes inside and out… Read More
Ford Transit 2011 European Launch
Ford takes the iconic Transit to the next stage with an all-new range of 2.2-litre Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 UK Launch
VW’s large panel van has undergone a serious makeover with changes to the front-end styling and the cab interior, as well as new Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Ford Transit Connect Electric Brief Test
We spent a day with the battery-powered Connect to get a better idea of what it’s like to live with in its natural, urban environment. Read More
Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL Brief Test
Currently undergoing trials with selected fleet customers in the UK, we managed to get behind the wheel of a battery-powered Vito E-CELL… Read More
CV Show 2012 shaping up to be a classic
Over 200 exhibitors have already signed-up for next year’s Commercial Vehicle Show — 49 per cent more space has been booked to date than at this point last year — and there’s the prospect of global debuts, we are told. Major van manufacturers have committed to the show with Citroën, Ford, Isuzu, Mercedes-Benz and Vauxhall leading the way. Word on the street has it that Ford will be unveiling something really special and a quick glance at its current range points to what it might be. There’s a big gap between Fiesta Van and Transit Connect which needs to be filled. Isuzu will be launching the all-new Rodeo (pictured) and Vauxhall will be using the show to introduce its new Combo range to UK operators.
Commenting on the prospects of next year’s CV Show, Steve Clary, commercial vehicles director, Ford of Britain, said: “2012 is a very important year for Ford’s commercial vehicle operations and the expanded stand we will have at the CV Show reflects this. The UK LCV market is extremely important to us and as the market leader for the past 46 years, the UK-based show gives us the perfect platform to get closer to existing and potential customers”.There are, however, two glaring omissions on the current floorplan. There’s no sign of Iveco or Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The former has just launched a new generation Daily, but VW’s CV range is the freshest of any manufacturer and with the absence of a high level launch VW may well be looking to dispense of its marketing budget in other directions.
“The commercial vehicle industry has bounced back from recession with vigour, a fact spelled out by the early enthusiasm for the 2012 Show,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. “The number of exhibitors already signed-up demonstrates the sector’s commitment to drive through economic uncertainty, delivering even more efficient and capable vehicles, products and services to the UK’s CV buyers.”
The CV Show 2012 is taking place at the NEC Birmingham on 24 – 26 April in Halls 1, 2, 3 and 3A. Click here for more details.