The CV Show at the NEC, Birmingham is about much more than the unveiling of new vans and trucks from major manufacturers. The Van Expert checks out a few of the specialists who exhibited at this week’s event.
Among the exhibitors was one promoting another show – VansA2Z used the CV Show to promote the DRIVEit@Bruntingthorpe LCV driving event, for which it is the official media partner.
The event takes place at the Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground in Leicestershire on 7th-9th July and registered van users attending have the opportunity to test drive the latest LCVs back-to-back on the same day.
British bodybuilder Paneltex exhibited in the show’s Cool sector and showed a wide-reaching display from its 2015 product portfolio, including vehicles from all three of its UK truck and van manufacturing sites.
They included a MWB, high-roof VW Crafter, featuring a Somers refrigerated panel van conversion. The split-compartment body is designed for carrying frozen and chilled goods on operations of up to 20 door openings during an eight-hour working day.
Also on the Paneltex stand was the latest 3.5-tonne Mercedes-Benz Sprinter twin-compartment vehicle, designed for the home delivery market and fitted with a GAH SR300 refrigeration system.
Auto Styling Truckman unveiled the latest version of its British-built Truckman Utility Top, made for the Volkswagen Amarok pick-up. It was featured fitted to
a Network Rail Fast Response Amarok fully kitted out with tools and equipment.
Since 2013, the Truckman Utility Top has become a popular hardtop option for fleet managers of off-highway industries operating in hard-to-reach locations, such as power distribution, telecoms, construction and railway track maintenance.
As well as the Amarok it is also available for Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi L200 models with an Isuzu version planned for later this year.
Sales of vehicle journey recorders in the UK are set to exceed one million for the first time, according to new figures released by SmartWitness ahead of the firm’s unveiling of three new camera systems at the CV Show.
Increasing numbers of drivers are relying on dash-cams to improve their driving and save on their insurance premiums. SmartWitness has been selling forward-facing cameras in the UK since 2009 and demand has never been higher, as they become popular with private motorists and fleet managers alike.
A recent survey by the Road Haulage Association found that 54 per cent of Britain’s fleets were now using journey recorders and 35 per cent were thinking of doing so.
Body builder Cartwright launched what the firm described as a record number of new products at the show.
The company exhibited four new bodies on a stand double the size of last year’s. Products on display included a fleet curtain-sider, an aerodynamic home delivery vehicle, refrigerated trailer and a welfare vehicle for the construction sector.
