THE CV Show at the NEC, Birmingham, from March 18-20, is the biggest display of commercial vehicles and associated services in Europe. Here we present a round-up of some of the exhibits.

Axtec
Runcorn-based Axtec will exhibit a new lightweight portable weighpad. Imported from the USA, the new weighpad tips the scales at less than 16 kilograms. The company says the units are easy to handle and their low profile means it is easy to drive vehicles on to and off them.

Bott
Bott will be launching its new product range at the show. Bott is a leading manufacturer and supplier of in-vehicle equipment and storage systems for light commercial vehicles. One of the main features on the stand, along with two other vehicle exhibits, will be a New Ford Transit Connect (above). There will also be an opportunity for visitors to have a sneak preview of Bott's newest product, Vario. A variety of other standard equipment, including drawer/tool case units, lockable cupboards and shelving units, along with an element of bespoke equipment, will be on display.

Brink UK
Brink UK is Europe's largest towing systems maker and will use its stand for the debut of its new combined towbar and towstep for the latest Ford Transit range. Brink says the new unit has EC 94/20 Type Approval, recommendation from Ford and will complement existing Towsteps for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Volkswagen LT and LDV Convoy.

Bradshaw
Bradshaw Electric Vehicles will be at the show for the first time. Bradshaw is the sole UK distributor for the Faam range and will show its all-new, road-legal vehicles. The company says these are well suited to city centre work and have a maximum speed of 40mph and a range of 40 miles on a single charge.

Bri-Stor
After a £1 million investment in production facilities, Bri-Stor will have its biggest ever van racking range on show. A Transit Connect (above) and Renault Master will be on the stand showing off the wide range of systems available.

Bulldog Remoulds
Bulldog Remoulds will use its stand to exhibit a new range of remould tyres. There are models for a variety of applications, from high-mileage drive-axle work, trailer axles and occasional off-road use.

Burnt Tree Group
The rental and contract hire specialist will be showing off a representative sample of the range of vehicles it has available to fleets. The company was started 20 years ago with five secondhand vans and has developed into a business with 15 depots throughout the UK.

Calor
Calor will use its stand to give expert advice on conversions to LPG. On the stand will be a new 2.3-litre LPG-powered Ford Transit. This, Calor claims, is the first in its class to qualify for the 100% discount from the London congestion charge.

CAP
CAP will be exhibiting at the show. CAP Red Book is the benchmark guide to current used values for trucks and vans. Red Book is compiled monthly by real commercial vehicle specialists with many years of personal experience working and trading in the market before joining CAP. More than 1,000 trucks, vans, trailers and motor caravans are included in the book.

cfc solutions
Commercial vehicle fleet management software with a market value of up to £26 million will be given away by cfc solutions at the show. Up to 20,000 copies of the award-winning FleetOutlook fleet management system together with its new HGV module worth £1,200 each will be given away. All visitors have to do is hand over a voucher mailed to fleet managers before the event.

Citroen
Visitors will get their first viewing of the new Xsara Enterprise at the show. The van is a Xsara estate with the rear seats removed and a loadbed added. In addition to its standard range of vans (C15, Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay), there will be examples of a mobile catering truck, Rohill car transporter, refrigerated van and a tipper.

Continental Data Graphics
Boeing subsidiary Continental Data Graphics is at the show for the first time. The company supplies technical publications both electronically and in hard copy to the defence, aviation, transport, oil and gas industries. The company also specialises in web-based parts catalogues and parts ordering systems. CDG will show a number of products designed to help operators and workshops which support fleets.

Dunlop
Dunlop is promoting new trailer and new truck drive-axle tyres, SP242 and SP442, together with Truckforce and ServiceLine 24, its pan-European tyre service, management and breakdown systems.

Fiat
With a newly-formed dedicated CV sales and marketing department, Fiat will be showing off a large array of vehicles at the show. Four versions of the Ducato panel van will be on show including a Razorback, which drops the load bay to the floor. There will also be two versions of the Doblo Cargo and a Punto van.

Ford
Ford will have an 11-vehicle line-up at the show – six Transits, two Rangers, two Transit Connects and a Tourneo Connect. The Transit Connects will include a SWB version in BT livery. Working exhibits will include a Durashift transmission and Ford Fleet Telematics.

H-Modul
The racking specialist will be showing off its range of systems for commercial vehicles. The firm offers a complete service from initial consultation to installation and application of corporate livery.

Hydromech Systems
Hydromech Systems will exhibit its new lightweight three-way scissor-type steel tipping body on a Toyota Dyna 350. The company will also show a more traditional, heavy duty tipper body, designed for rental fleets on an Iveco Daily. Hydromech will also show off its range of under-floor tipping gear and 'flat-pack' bodies.

Iveco
Iveco will be displaying its range of vehicles from 3.2 tonnes to 44 tonnes GVW. Of interest to van fleet operators will be four Daily HPI models – panel van, semi-windowed van, Combi MPV and CNG-powered chassis cab.

Jarvis Fleet Management
Jarvis Fleet Management (JFM) is providing a Ford Transit van conversion (pictured below left), incorporating the most advanced and practical facilities for transient workforces, for the Ford stand. The vehicle, which is based on a Transit 350L high roof van, includes seating for eight people, a flush toilet, 12v microwave for hot food and drinks, hand washing facilities and storage and racking for the workforce's tasks.

JLT Corporate Risks
Jardine Lloyd Thompson Corporate Risks will use its stand to help increase its contact with the road haulage business. The company says for 10 years it has been one of the leading risk and insurance advisers to the bus and coach transport industry. In that time it has steadily increased its ability to help haulage and logistics operators and now plans to expand its business in that sector.

LDV
LDV will use this year's show to kick-start celebrations for its 10th year in business. Along with its usual display of custom-built vehicles, LDV will demonstrate a new LPG model, its work with Stewart and Stevenson of Texas on a military tender for a contract worth £1.4 billion and future product.

Manheim Auctions
Commercial vehicle experts from Manheim Auctions will be on the stand to offer their knowledge to visitors. Presentations will include an introduction to disposals, what adds to residual values, how to utilise the market and assessing wear and tear. There will also be a chance for one-to-one consultations.

Mercedes-Benz
In addition to a range of trucks, Mercedes will be showing off its facelifted Sprinter (above). There will be a 314 van with LPG conversion and a Sprinter+3 with two rows of seats, a bulkhead and 7.6 cubic metres of cargo space. There will also be a range of Mitsubishi Canters, including fridge body, crewcab and tipper.

Nissan
Nissan'S ever-expanding van range will be on display at the show. New for Britain is the long wheelbase medium roof Interstar, while visitors will be able to look round the new Primastar light panel van, a rebadged Renault Trafic. Also on show will be the Navara King Cab and Outlaw, Terrano van and Cabstar E.

One Stop Handling
One Stop Handling will show its new Innolift. Innolift helps operators load and unload vans and handles Europallets and other loads. Battery powered, the Innolift will load pallets into a van and manoeuvre them within the body.

QI Van Systems
A lightweight automatic ladder loading system is being unveiled for the first time in the UK by QI Van Systems. It has signed an exclusive distribution deal with leading Italian manufacturer Gentili for its low-profile G2000 aluminium ladder holder system. QI , based in Telford, Shropshire, will also be displaying a range of van interior solutions and demonstrating the flexibility of its Syncro modular storage system.

Ratcliffe
Ratcliffe says it has a revolutionary new 'mix and match' concept in 500kg capacity 'quickfits'. The company says the new system is ideal for vehicles with short rear overhangs. The anodised aluminium folding platform is 1.2 metres deep when open and stays flat throughout its operation, unlike many other tail lifts.

Renault
The show sees the UK debut of the new Renault Kangoo, although no preview pictures were available. The new van features an updated front profile, body-coloured bumpers, new shaped front end and rear light clusters. There are also extra safety features and a four-engine line-up.Renault will also be showing off the high roof version of the award-winning Trafic.

Rola Group
Rola Group will use its show debut to exhibit a new, lightweight system to give storage space in vans and workshops. Designed by an electrician for electricians, the company says its racking is developed to suit almost any application. The Rola system includes adjustable shelves, four different sizes of bins, a full range of accessories and the unique, pull-out Rola Case system.

Signs Express
Signs Express, twice winner of the Institute of Transport Management (ITM) vehicle graphics company of the year award and winner of the Sign Industry Award for best vehicle livery project 2002, will be exhibiting. Signs Express works with leading manufacturers including DaimlerChrysler UK and VAG. As a specialist of vehicle graphics design and application, each Signs Express centre has its own climate controlled drive-in livery bay to provide the best conditions for application. Graphics can be applied to all vehicle surfaces from bodywork to windows and screens, suiting all types of commercial vehicle. In addition to standard vinyl images logos and lettering, special effects can be achieved by applying photographs, reflective materials and intricate design.

Sortimo
In-vehicle storage system specialist Sortimo is launching a new service, Sortimo Solutions, at the show. It offers a complete service for vehicles to any specification. Sortimo offers tailored packages and a range of pre-determined storage systems (pictured left) and carries £2 million worth of racking systems in stock so orders can be dispatched quickly.

Stewart Signs
Stewart Signs is at the CV Show for the first time. The company says it will show potential customers its unique approach to vehicle livery. Stewart Signs sells successfully to a wide range of distribution, logistics, contract hire and parcel delivery service fleets.

Toyota
Toyota will be displaying its full range of commercial vehicles at the show – Dyna, Hilux and Hiace. New for this year is the Dyna car transporter, box van and dropside caged tipper. Also on show will be the Hiace 12-seat minibus and crew cab and the Hilux double cab with leather upholstery.

Vauxhall
Vauxhall is planning a display of 14 models. The multi-award winning Vivaro , built in Luton by Vauxhall sister company IBC Vehicles in a joint operation with Renault, will have its UK high roof version unveiling. Vivaro is also available as a minibus, carrying nine people, including the driver. A new Astravan Sportive special version will boast alloy wheels, front fog lights and star silver metallic paint. A unique Combo rear-seat conversion will be unveiled at theshow, to provide a van that can double as a double crew cab while retaining its commercial vehicle tax status. Movano offers a choice of panel vans in three load lengths payloads and roof heights. There are also workshop van and minibus conversions with turbodiesel 2.2 or new common rail 2.5-litre engines. Many other van and platform base conversions are available.

Volkswagen
Volkswagen will have a range of vehicles on show but unfortunately not T5, the Transporter replacement due to go on sale in late summer (see sneak preview, page 18). Included in the display will be a Toad Security Caddy, Transporter Kombi, Tesco-liveried LT35 with refrigerated box body, LT35 mwb minibus conversion by Advanced, LT46 lwb 158bhp TDI ambulance and LT46 panel van with tyre fitting equipment – a National Tyres vehicle.

Zeta Controls
A new engine speed controller, an engine idling limiter and a new anti-theft system are among new products Zeta Controls will launch. The company says battery failure is one of the main causes of roadside call-outs. Its SureStart battery protection system prevents batteries being drained by auxiliary loads. Zeta's 'Zico' idle engine cut-out can also cut fuel consumption by 3%.

  • For full details log on to www.cvshow.com.