Sell out Show underscores health of the CV market

THIS year’s Commercial Vehicle Show at the Birmingham NEC has sold out for the 5^th successive year. With more than 20,000 delegates attending, it has become the largest truck and van show in the UK underlines the health of the UK commercial vehicle market. The first quarter of 2019 showed a 10.6% year on year demand increase (UK LCV) according to latest figures from the SMMT, the sectors best ever monthly performance. Rob Skelton, CV Show Director, said, “The sold-out 2019 CV Show is great indicator of the ongoing strength of the UK commercial vehicle industry. “In times of potential uncertainty in other UK market sectors, the road transport industry and all that surrounds it continues to show clear signs of confidence. “Road transport forms the backbone of the British economy, we continue to feature the cutting-edge developments taking place across the market that will keep interest high. “The growth in exhibitors of eco-tech, pedestrian safety and fleet optimisation technology indicates that, while the UK market is strong, it continues to evolve and look ever-further to the future.” So, what’s hot at this year’s show?

FORD TRANSIT

The new Tranny will help operators to be even more productive when the 2-tonne van goes on sale in the middle of this year with up to 80kg more load-carrying capability. This has been achieved following a top-to-bottom programme of weight savings including Ford’s first aluminium bonnet for a commercial vehicle in Europe, a composite bulkhead and spin-formed wheels. The new rear-wheel-drive  350GVM, long wheelbase, medium roof model is 80kg lighter than the outgoing model and the equivalent front-wheel-drive is 48kg lighter. Fuel efficiency has been improved thanks to an upgraded 2-litre EcoBlue diesel line up delivering CO2 emissions from 156g/km. An EcoBlue 48-volt mild hybrid option with stop-start delivers 144g/km.

Toyota

The all-new Proace City compact van made its world debut at the CV Show giving the brand a strong entry into the segment. It joins the Proace medium duty van, Hilux pick-up and Land Cruiser Utility Commercial to extend Toyota’s presence in the LCV market, where compact duty van sales account for around 35% of the European total. Proace City is a further result of Toyota’s successful collaboration with Groupe PSA, a relationship that has already produced the Proace and Proace Verso van and MPV models. The wraps also came off a revised top-of-the range version of Toyota’s  legendary Hilux pick-up. The Hilux Invincible X sports design enhancements, with a dark grey and black theme. Available in the UK exclusively in Double Cab form, it features a grey smoked chrome finish for the upper front grille surround, fog lamp bezels, door and tailgate handles, door mirror casings, front and rear under-runs and rear bumper corners. The specification includes 18-inch alloy wheels with a two-tone machined finish. The cabin has an all-black look, with the sense of quality reinforced by chrome instrument panel detailing and piano black inserts on the dashboard, door trims, steering wheel and gear shift. The driver’s instrument binnacle has a striking dial design with a white background and a central TFT multi-information display which presents a Hilux animation when the ignition is switched on. Even the key is specific to the model, featuring a silhouette sketch of the pick-up’s frontal design. The 2019 Hilux model range will be on sale from August this year. UK pricing and further details will be launched nearer the on-sale date.

LDV

LDV’s EV80 will make its mark in the electric commercial vehicle sector and features an advanced ‘pure electric power’ system with digital intelligent CVT. The CVT adjusts the torque and output power of the motor under different conditions to create a smooth driving experience. The EV80 is one of very few Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) in the UK that can currently arrange immediate delivery of a large size EV van, EV panel van, minibus, chassis cab and crew variant, regardless of order number. LDV is manufactured by SAIC, the largest automotive company in China and distributed in the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Malta and Cyprus by Harris Automotive Distributors UC t/a LDV UK and Ireland. Three new, EV80s are joining the City of London Corporation’s fleet, bringing the organisation a step closer to realising its goal of being the first authority to run a fully zero-emission fleet. The vehicles will service the Barbican Library in the Square Mile, the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium in Manor Park and the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow Airport. The EV80 is the first fully electric vehicle launched within Heathrow LDV’s stable of commercial vehicles. It boasts a 120-mile range on a single charge and, thanks to its high-capacity lithium battery, can be fully charged in less than 90 minutes. The vehicles, which are Ultra Low Emission Zone compliant and designed for urban driving, are already being used by delivery and utility companies around the UK, together with selected city councils across the country.

 Citroën

The Jumpy range has been upgraded to more closely meet the expectations of professional customers. The Jumpy is now available with a calibrated range comprising 5 versions, 3 of them new, targeting the needs of three types of customers: Worker: the Worker version extends Jumpy’s abilities to work sites (raised suspension, protective plate, increased payload, Grip Control); Driver: the Driver version gains comfort equipment and driver assistance systems for long rounds; CityVan: this version features equipment that boost agility.

Volkswagen

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles showcased a new wheelchair-accessible minibus version of the Volkswagen Crafter Built by Recognised Partner Taxi Bus Conversions (TBC), in Northern Ireland, it features 16 passenger seats plus space for wheelchair users. Entry is via a manually operated front entrance door with a modified stepwell or the Braun Vista Split inboard passenger lift at the rear. As the conversion is completed by a Recognised Partner, the Crafter Minibus comes with a conversion warranty that matches the base vehicle. The 17-strong seat layout, including driver, is fully configurable, too, with quick release functions allowing the Crafter minibus to be adapted to accommodate up to six wheelchairs in a matter of minutes. There is also a choice of wheelchair and wheelchair occupant restraint systems available. The new model will be offered through the Engineered To Go programme, which relaunched in January designed to provide customers with high quality converted products through VW’s network of Van Centres.             Smartwitness launched three new and upgraded video telematics software solutions,  SmartView, SmartGuard and SmartAPI. SmartGuard and SmartView give fleet managers having total visiblity of their fleet at all times and greater control on risk and incident management. SmartAPI allows traditional telematics provider to add video to their services cheaply and profitably. SmartGuard is a 24/7 full service software that becomes a virtual fleet manager. It takes all the leg work out of risk management for fleets and uses AI technology and a 24/7 call centre to check video footage. Fleet managers have too much data thrown at them by telematics and SmartGuard boils down the data into easy to read league tables. Smartviews is sophisticated video tracking fleet software that provides instant HD video on demand from all cameras, maps that show where your fleet is at any time. Tracking showing route taken and managers can draw down video footage for the past 90 days. It gives fleet managers complete visibility of their vehicles at any time. Smart API is a middleware application the allows traditional telematics providers to add video to their systems easily and profitably. CMS Supatrak is one UK telematics provider that has already adopted SmartAPI and they will be on the SmartWitness CV show stand to promote the new software.     Jaama showed off the latest enhancements made to its award-winning ‘MyVehicle App’ that focuses on defect management, driver compliance and accident management while reducing administration. ‘MyVehicle App’ works in tandem with Key2 technology and information uploaded through the app automatically updates the related vehicle, asset or driver record in Key2. Jaama also offered visitors a preview of its new Maintenance Exchange product: a maintenance and compliance platform that will revolutionise and streamline the way information is exchanged between fleet operators, maintenance providers and end fleet users.