CV Show 2023: Preview

The Commercial Vehicle Show returns to Birmingham’s NEC on April 18-20, bringing together a mix of vehicle manufacturers, converters and service providers. More than 11,000 visitors visited attended the exhibition last year and the organisers are confident that there will be a further increase in demand for 2023. In the first of two show previews, these are some of the companies on display.

TVL

Security specialist TVL’s Crime Prevention Zone will be returning to the show this year. Launched at last year’s event, the Tell TVL initiative has already gained support from Bott, Brigade, BVRLA, Mul-T-Lock, On The Tools and TES 2000, with additional backing from National Highways and the National Business Crime Centre. TVL will be joined this year by experts from On The Tools and Secured By Design, along with representatives of the police, who will be delivering proactive advice and tips to help customers reduce and prevent van and tool theft.

“We’ve seen some good progress in growing the Tell TVL network and we’re delighted to welcome some of our supporters to the CV Show to help us continue spreading the word,” said Laura Moran, managing director of TVL Group.

Bott

Racking and conversions specialist Bott will be back at the show with a much larger stand, demonstrating all three of its racking ranges and in-van storage systems. The company will focus on its electrical capabilities, both in providing electrical functionality to van users, but also in its ability to work with electrically-powered vehicles.

Central to the stand will be Bott’s new van configurator, already operating in Germany and now being launched to UK customers. Compatible with all of the companies racking products, Bott will have staff on the stand to help customers get to grips with the configurator, which can give a moveable image of potential racking solutions in all of the major van bodies. That will include the latest electric LCV models and Bott will have two examples of the growing range of e-vans on the stand with a range of equipment fitted.

Maxus

Following the unveiling last year of a pre-production version of the UK’s first full electric pick-up, the Maxus T90EV, the company will present the production model this year, as part of a wider electric LCV range. Now offering more than 1 tonne of payload, plus a 1.5-tonne towing capacity, the T90EV promises up to 220 miles of driving range.

Maxus will add to its eDeliver line-up at the show too, with the launch of the eDeliver 7, which fits in the range between the compact eDeliver 3 (above) and the larger eDeliver 9.

Gearmate

Gearmate products continue to be an integral part of the UK and Europe’s vehicle accessory market. Since Gearmate’s formation in 2016, the company continues to grow, now serving beyond the UK with partners in Ireland, Belgium, Germany, France, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and many more. It has have a fast-growing, highly-skilled, and dedicated team of employees, operating with an in-house design team, utilising state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment.

Gearmate’s mission is to continue designing solutions to help make its customers’ lives easier; and its goal is to keep innovating. Gearmate continues to launch new products, with a new pioneering product to be unveiled at the Commercial Vehicle show at the NEC Birmingham this April (Stand 5C54). Operators of vans and pick-ups can see the latest products on the stand, where there will be racking and storage available.

You can contact their sales team on 01789 595 200 or sales@gearmate.co.uk.

www.gearmate.co.uk

Hydrogen Vehicle Systems

Glasgow-based Hydrogen Vehicle Systems (HVS) will show a 40-tonne tractor unit powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, as the company edges towards production of a range of hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles. Also on the drawing board is a chassis cab that will form the basis of a range of 4.25-7.5-tonne light commercials.

The futuristic looking trucks feature a large cab with no intrusion under the floor from a diesel engine. They also boast softer suspension than some competitor trucks, to provide an improved ride.

Iveco

Iveco’s stand will feature both its latest eDaily van range and the S-Way long haul tractor, as the company returns to the NEC. The show will be the first opportunity that many customers have had to see the latest electric Daily models, and to put them to the test on the show’s Ride and Drive circuit.

With gross weights of 3.5-7.2 tonnes, the second generation eDaily aims to meet the needs of van operators in every application. With a choice of more than 200 body styles and chassis sizes, three electric PTOs and one, two or three battery packs, the eDaily will be the most configurable electric van in the heavy LCV sector.

Locks 4 Vans

Next generation vehicles are being built using a variety of materials, many designed to reduce weight. However, this can cause problems for security companies, as there is less major steelwork to fix security locks and other systems too. An example of this is Volkswagen’s new ID. Buzz Cargo, which has a body that uses a high degree of composite material.

To meet the needs of van drivers and operators, Locks 4 Vans has developed a range of additional security for the latest VW. The firm had to adjust how it installed its solutions, in terms of location and bracketry, to ensure that it didn’t compromise functionality or spoil the look and feel of the van.

At the rear of the van L4V has designed a hook locking solution for the tailgate, while a window shield is available for the glazed rear window. The company has also developed an anti-peel kit for the side loading doors, greatly reducing the risk of a ‘peel and steel’ attack on the van.

Locks 4 Vans has also joined forces with the AA. The roadside rescue business has 36 mobile key cutting vans in operation in the UK and these can all now assist customers who have L4V security, but have become locked out of their vehicles. The AA vans will carry all of the necessary equipment to gain entry, but will also have on-board replacement L4V locks to refit if necessary.

Visiontrack

Artificial Intelligence (AI) will take centre stage for Visiontrack this year, as the company shows a range of AI video telematic solutions designed to improve road safety. This will include an AI detection camera for vulnerable road users and an AI-powered post analysis software called NARA.

The detection camera is able to identify pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and people on scooters, while disregarding street furniture. Footage is automatically displayed on an in-cab monitor and supplemented with an audible spoken warning, with precise location of the vulnerable road user in relation to the vehicle.

The NARA post-analysis software is a cloud-based technology that rapidly assesses camera footage to help vehicle operators save time and money, by providing proactive risk intervention and accurate incident verification. What this means is that the system automatically runs through video footage, discarding false incidents and recognising other road users. This saves the transport manager having to run through hours of video footage when there has been no incident.

System Edstrom

Popular racking provider System Edstrom will be returning to the CV Show this year with a range of racking products. The company will be displaying its own racking configurator, to help buyers to specify their storage solutions. However, the main focus for the firm is reconnecting with customers after the pandemic and System Edstrom is looking forward to meeting existing and potential users at the show.

Ford

The Blue Oval will once again dominate the entrance to Hall 5, as Ford returns to Birmingham. Expect to see the full range of Transit models, including the all-electric E-Transit and the soon to be launched E-Transit Custom. This rear-wheel drive model, to be launched later this year, will boast a 236-mile driving range.

If that’s still not enough, Ford will have the latest version of its Transit Custom PHEV, now powered by an electric driveline that features a 2.5-litre range extending petrol engine.