New light commercial vehicles, the latest software to manage your fleet, and products from air-con to servicing, finance to telematics: all key attractions at this year’s event

This year's Commercial Vehicle Show is very much a van event, with Iveco the only heavy goods vehicle manufacturer represented.

While Volkswagen is returning to the NEC after a four-year absence, Vauxhall, Mercedes-Benz and Nissan will be absent. However, there will be hundreds of stands offering services and products of interest to Commercial Fleet readers.

We highlight some of the manufacturers, products and services on display at the show, which takes place from April 26-28. 

 

Citroën

The star of the Citroën stand will be the new replacement for the Dispatch, which goes on sale in September.

It will also be rebadged as the Peugeot Expert and Toyota Proace (see entries on page 40).

The stand will also feature Berlingos powered by the new Euro 6 range of engines and new models in Citroën's Ready to Run range – a Plant & Go small plant carrier, a new car transporter and two new crew vans.

 

Descartes

Descartes Systems Group will showcase the new SmartAlerts enhancement to its SmartCompliance software.

SmartAlerts is an automatic text and email alert system that can keep fleet operators ahead of any potential issues with tachographs, drivers’ hours and driving licences by eliminating manual data checks and minimising the opportunity for human error.

SmartAlerts can be applied to Descartes' SmartAnalysis tachograph analysis product and has recently been extended to its SmartLicence licence-checking software.

Combined with SmartAlerts, transport managers can choose to receive automatic alerts to significant data changes across more than 10 categories, including notification of driving licence audits and potential issues arising from results such as new penalty points, as well as licence, category and mandate expiration and validation notices.

DFSK

Chinese manufacturer DFSK will be exhibiting its new C35, which makes its debut in the UK this spring.

The new van has a 750kg payload and prices (ex-VAT) start at £10,995.

Like the Loadhopper microvan, the C35 has a cab-over configuration, with the engine sitting under the driver and passenger seats. The powerplant is a 115hp 1.5-litre Euro 5 petrol unit driven to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.

It is bigger than the current Loadhopper K Series and Big Cab, but the C35 but still manages to retain compact external dimensions. Load length is 2,630mm, maximum width is 1,480mm and floor to roof measures 1,290mm.

 

Eberspächer

The Eberspächer UK stand will feature a selection of the company's new and existing climate control/air conditioning products, alongside vehicles fitted with the technology.

Among the products on display will be the Breezonic 3000, a streamlined 240V roof-mounted heating and air conditioning unit  designed for use in vehicles such as mobile command and control centres, mobile medical stations, TV and film broadcast vehicles and mobile hospitality units.

Eberspächer will also showcase the roof hatch-mounted Cooltronic G2. Its three 24V models allow air conditioning with the engine off, especially useful for any operators in areas where anti-idle zones are being introduced.

 

Enterprise Flex-e-rent

Enterprise is appearing at the NEC for the first time and in addition to showing off its rental and contract hire packages, it will also be offering visitors to its stand the chance to win tickets to the Europa League Cup final in Basel on May 18.

The firm is one of the main sponsors of the football event and the prize will include travel, match day hospitality and VIP tickets.

Enterprise operates a fleet of more than 26,000 commercial vehicles and examples of its increasingly popular temperature-controlled trucks will be on display in the Cool Pavilion.

 

Fiat Professional

Fiat Professional will have the Fiorino, Doblò Cargo and recently upgraded Ducato on its stand, with some models liveried in the design of the major companies with which Fiat Professional does business.

Models on the stand will also feature many of Fiat's new technologies and innovations, such as start-stop, EcoJet engines, Traction+ and the Uconnect touchscreen system which combines infotainment and satellite navigation.

 

Ford

Having replaced its entire van range in the space of two years, Ford is turning its attention to engine technology. The manufacturer will be showing off its new Euro 6 engine range – and for those interested in flying the British flag, the powerplants will be built at Dagenham.

The new 2.0-litre Euro 6 engine replaces the old Euro 2.2-litre Euro 5 and although it will cost about £950 more, fuel efficiency savings of £400 in fuel over four years/80,000-miles plus better predicted residual values help to offset the extra cost. Ford claims the new engines cut NOx by 55% and increase fuel efficiency by 12%.

Euro 6 engines for Transit Connect and Courier use a NOx trap, which means they won't have an AdBlue tank. Experts will be on hand at the show to explain the benefits of the new engines to visitors.

 

Iveco

Iveco will have a high-profile external display at the entrance to the show, comprising the new Eurocargo (International Truck of the Year 2016), Daily (International Van of the Year 2015) and Stralis Hi-Way (International Truck of the Year 2013). The trio will be joined by a rally-spec Iveco Trakker from Petronas Team De Rooy Iveco – the winning team in the gruelling Dakar 2016.

Nigel Emms, director of brand and communication, said: “Most manufacturers would bite your arm off to win International Van of the Year or International Truck of the Year. To have three such awards in our current product line-up is unprecedented and clear recognition of Iveco’s focus on technology for sustainability and reduced total cost of ownership.”

Inside the show, Iveco will occupy a large stand at the front of Hall 5, featuring a 7.5-tonne Eurocargo and at least seven models of Daily, including the Hi-Matic eight-speed auto gearbox.

The Daily line-up is being selected to highlight the breadth of the 3.5- to 7.2-tonne gross vehicle weight range, to include panel vans, chassis cabs, a 4x4 model and a minibus powered by the latest Iveco diesel engine technology.

 

Kwik-Fit

Kwik-Fit has increased its penetration in the light van sector in recent years, a result of extending its reach into the servicing and MOT segment as well as building on its long-established reputation as a major provider of traditional fast-fit services. It will be looking to meet new clients at the show.

Kwik-Fit fleet director Peter Lambert said: “The CV Show is the shop window for commercial vehicle operators and at the event four years ago, Kwik-Fit launched its improved service to light commercial vehicle fleets, small business, sole traders and the retail market.

“Since then, demand for our light commercial vehicle tyre-fitting proposition and expanded range of mechanical services has increased significantly, particularly as the number of vans on the UK’s roads continues to rise rapidly.

“The show continues to provide a major focus for Kwik-Fit to promote its comprehensive range of services to the sector, to secure new business opportunities and to network with existing customers.”

 

Isuzu

Isuzu is celebrating its centenary this year and will be taking an even bigger stand in honour of this milestone.

The D-Max has won the title of 4x4 truck of the year at the last two Commercial Fleet Awards and, in an attempt to hold its market share against new rivals launched this year, the manufacturer is offering a range of new special editions and fleet conversions.

Isuzu will also be explaining to visitors about its new service plan. A one-off cost covers routine servicing and maintenance, which Isuzu claims represents a saving of about £1,000 after the first three services.

 

Lex Autolease

Lex Autolease’s commercial vehicle consultants Russell Adams and Andy Hill will attend each day of the show, as will other engineers and several relationship and business development managers.

The leasing and fleet management company will host a breakfast briefing entitled ‘The Changing World of Vans’, from 9.30am-10.30am on Wednesday, April 27, at which principal consultant Chris Chandler, along with Adams and Hill, will discuss the future of LCVs.

Attendees can find out what impact changing tax, legislation, technology and fuel will have on their balance sheets and learn about Lex Autolease’s latest thinking on fleet management. To register for a place, email: marketing@lexautolease.co.uk.

 

Jaama

Jaama will showcase its fleet software Key2 for the first time at the show.

Regulatory compliance is essential for all commercial vehicle operators alongside efficient and cost-effective fleet management and Jaama says a growing number of public and private sector fleets are introducing its vehicle and driver management software. Modules include Risk Profile and Licence2Check.

 

Licence To Drive

Commercial fleets worried about whether or not their drivers have the correct documentation may benefit from a visit to the Licence To Drive stand. The licence-checking and compliance management provider will relaunch its Compliance Managed Services (CMS) portal with a new 'permits to drive' feature at the show.

This will allow fleets to add the required driving documents for each company driver to the portal, with a permit to drive issued when drivers meet the necessary criteria for the vehicles they operate, ensuring they remain fully compliant and legal.

For those not granted a permit to drive, the driver will be notified and given advice on what steps they must take to drive on company business. A driver’s permit is regularly monitored to ensure its status hasn’t changed.

Drivers using their own vehicles would need a full driving licence, valid insurance and MOT certificate, and proof of VED being paid on the vehicle. For HGV drivers or those operating specialist equipment, a CPC, HGV Class 2 and O-Licence will be required.

Fleet managers are able to manage permits to drive through the CMS dashboard, allowing them to view which employees have consented to being audited and who among those drivers does and does not hold the necessary permit.

 

LDV

The old LDV Maxus, which disappeared during the banking crisis of 2008, is making a surprise re-appearance in the UK after Chinese firm SAIC bought the rights to the business in 2010.

The vehicles will be imported by the Harris Group of Dublin and will be on display at the show in short wheelbase/low roof; long wheelbase/medium roof; long wheelbase/high roof; and chassis cab formats.

The V80, as it is now called, is powered by a 2.5-litre 136hp diesel engine, which has been designed by Italian engine manufacturer VM Motori. Payload is 1,204kg for the low roof model, 1,419kg for the medium roof version and 1,389kg for the high roof V80.

LDV is claiming a load area of 6.4 cubic metres in the short wheelbase model, while long wheelbase models are capable of carrying 10.4 cubic metres and 11.6 cubic metres in the medium-and high-roof models.

Standard equipment with the V80 includes rear parking sensors, air conditioning, cruise control and daytime running lights. Inside, the vehicle features Bluetooth, an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat and a radio with MP3 connectivity.

The warranty on all LDV V80 vans is five years/200,000 miles and includes five years' roadside assistance cover as standard (see LDV profile, page 20).

 

Mix Telematics

The global provider of fleet and mobile asset management solutions will be displaying its new Mix Journey Management system, an electronic journey risk management solution that integrates with Mix's Fleet Manager platform.

The new system is designed for fleet operators seeking an automated way to keep drivers, passengers and cargo safe and secure, while reducing business risk related to journeys.

Suitable for use in a range of transport applications, Mix Journey Management allows operators to manage journeys from start to finish online, instead of using time-consuming and error-prone manual alternatives.

 

Peugeot

Visitors to the show will get their first glimpse of Peugeot's new medium panel van, the Expert, which replaces the old model that first went on sale in 1997. The Expert – along with its twin brothers, the Citroën Dispatch and Toyota Proace – makes its UK debut and although details were not available at the time of going to press, Peugeot said it would have full pricing and spec lists available at the show itself.

 

Renault

Renault’s stand will showcase 11 vehicles along the themes of design, technology and conversions. The stand will also provide an insight into the recently introduced Pro+ specialist dealer network, which is set to double in size in the UK by 2017.

On display will be everything from a Master LHL35 RWD, with 17 cubic metres of loadspace, to the Kangoo ZE electric van and Twizy Cargo. Official conversions will include the Master-based Welbus and the debut of the 3.5-tonne Master Passenger, which can be driven on a normal driving licence.

Renault’s Euro 6 advancements will be demonstrated by several engine displays and representatives from RCI Financial Services, Renault Aftersales and Renault iCare will be available to speak to stand visitors about any finance or ownership queries.

 

Sigmavision

Sigmavision is launching what it claims is the world’s first 3D tyre measurement scanner at the Commercial Vehicle Show..

The TreadReader scanner eliminates the errors associated with manual depth gauges. The scanner is positioned on one edge of a tyre and operated by sliding it across the tread face.

The company says the device can reveal badly worn or unevenly worn tyres symptomatic of problems such as wheel misalignment or worn suspension

 

Snap Account

Many HGV firms are discovering the benefits of a Snap account, which allows drivers to park up, get their vehicles washed and facilitate repairs, in addition to managing payments for the Dartford Crossing.

Snap Account will show off its new device, Daily Checks, at the CV Show. This allows the driver to download an app on his or her mobile phone and ticks off items such as brakes and lights each morning before setting off.

The driver then submits the checklist and the fleet manager can view the results on a PC in their office.

The app costs 50p per week per vehicle and is DVSA-compliant. Records are kept for 15 months.

 

Toyota

The Japanese manufacturer is returning to the show for the first time since 2008 to show off two new vehicles – the Proace and Hilux 4x4 (right).

The Proace shares its underpinnings with the new Citroën Dispatch and Peugeot Expert, although Toyota's version boasts a different front end and some revisions to its standard specification.

 

VisionTrack

VisionTrack will display its new 3G telematics camera, which doubles as both a safety device and a fleet management tool.

It is capable of transmitting footage of the road ahead of the vehicle straight back to the fleet manager's desk. The device also detects any harsh acceleration and braking, thus giving fleet managers control over driver behaviour.

 

Volkswagen

The German manufacturer returns to the show after a four-year absence with a display of vehicles including the new Caddy and T6 Transporter. On the stand, Caddy will have a wheelchair conversion while there will also be a highly specced Caravelle, Amarok and Crafter with a tipper conversion.

Visitors will also be able to chat to Volkswagen executives about the manufacturer's 'Working With You' promise. This is a commitment to work in partnership with fleet customers, whether they run one van or 1,000, to provide a bespoke fleet package that meets every possible need.

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