With hundreds of exhibitions from major and emerging manufacturers, and key decision-makers from leading fleet operators in attendance, the Commercial Vehicle Show at Birmingham’s NEC is again set to be the most important industry event of the year.
More than 15,000 people attended the show last year, which, as always, brought together a high quality selection of vehicle manufacturers, converters and service providers.
In the second part of our show preview, we take a look at some of the vehicle manufacturers exhibiting between 29 April and 1 May at this year’s event, being run by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and Road Haulage Association (RHA) and delivered by Nineteen Group.
KIA
Kia UK plans to launch its new electric van business at the show on stand 5C95.
Dominating its display will be the UK debut of the PV5 – the brand’s first fully electric van – where specification and other customer centric information will be available.
Kia’s new commercial vehicle business has the acronym, PBV – an overarching naming strategy referring to ‘Purpose Built Vehicle’ and ‘Platform Beyond Vehicle’.
The PV5 is built on a dedicated EV platform and designed for work across domains including delivery, utilities and ride hailing.
It will be available in three main forms – as a panel van, a chassis cab and a passenger variant.
The chassis cab is particularly unusual in the mid-size van market and offers further scope for diverse customer needs and customisation.
Every PBV model will also come with Geotab telematics technology as standard, including native access to the Android App store on the van’s central display.
Paul Philpott, President and CEO of Kia UK said, “This is an incredibly exciting time for Kia, as we build an entirely new commercial business to deliver world-class electric vans to UK customers.”
RENAULT GROUP
On stand 5F84, Renault will showcase its full LCV range that now includes a fully electric E-Tech version of all available models, spanning the compact Kangoo through to the versatile Trafic and the acclaimed New Master.
The New Master includes a 10-inch screen with both wired and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.
It can be further enhanced with the optional availability of Google services built-in – a first for this segment – providing access to Google Maps navigation, voice-controlled Google assistant, and a range of apps from the Google Play store.
Seb Brechon, Head of LCV and PRO+ at Renault UK, said: “The Commercial Vehicle Show is a must for us and provides the perfect platform to highlight the benefits of our advanced LCV line-up to new and existing customers.”
DACIA
Renault Group value-driven brand Dacia will also make its debut at show following the recent reveal of the pure-electric Spring Cargo – the commercial version of the affordable electric car.
With the rear seats removed and a mesh bulkhead fitted, the N1 homologated Spring Cargo is designed for businesses that require a robust zero emissions vehicle for deliveries in and out of town.
Visitors can find Dacia at Stand 5E125.
FLEXIS
Flexis on stand 5D90 is expected to unveil its new range of electric vans, which are due to go on sale in 2026.
The business – a joint venture between Renault, Volvo Group and CMA CGM – was formed to develop a new generation of urban logistics vehicles.
Its initial line-up is composed of three models – the Step-in van, the Cargo van and the Panel van – all using an EV-native skateboard platform, with electronic architecture developed by Renault’s Ampere division.
Matt Hawkins, Head of UK Market, Flexis said: “We are thrilled that we will be able to display, for the first time in the UK, our revolutionary Step-in van at the CV Show.”
FORD
Ford will return to this year’s CV Show on stand 5E10 to showcase its current electrified line-up as well as celebrate 60 years of its Transit models with iconic models from its rich history.
The display will feature what the manufacturer describes as the world’s fastest van – Supervan 4.2 – as well as the fastest production Van the MSRT- E-Transit Custom.
They are joined by the latest Ranger line up, now also zero emission capable with the introduction of a new segment first plug-in hybrid.
FARIZON
The Farizon SV will make its public debut at this year’s event. As well as the L1 H1 and L2 H2 versions, Farizon will showcase the largest L3 H3 version for the first time.
Established in 2016, Farizon is the commercial vehicle division of Geely, China’s largest private vehicle manufacturer.
The model line-up includes the option of a 67 kWh or an 83 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, with a 106 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery available for the L3 H3 model.
One efficient, all-electric powertrain is available which produces 170 kW (231 PS) of power and 336 Nm of torque.
Tom Carney, Managing Director, Jameel Motors UK, vehicle distributor for Farizon, said: “Launching the Farizon SV at the Commercial Vehicle Show is another milestone as we look to establish the brand in the market and the van itself as a new benchmark.”
KGM
KGM – formerly known as SsangYong – will be on stand 5A100 and is set to exhibit its Musso 5-seater pick-up vehicle.
Its standard Musso range comes in three trim levels, starting at the manual-only EX and working up to the auto-only Rebel, Saracen and Saracen+ models.
The latter of the trim levels – the Saracen+ – possesses an extended cab, a foot longer than the standard Musso.
ISUZU
Isuzu UK is back at the Commercial Vehicle Show on stand 5D60, and making its public debut will be the new D-Max Steel Edition.
Powering the Steel Edition is Isuzu’s 1.9-litre turbocharged diesel unit, which provides 162bhp and 360Nm of torque, and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. A new feature in the Steel Edition is ‘Rough Terrain Mode’ for enhanced off-road driving.
More details and the registration forms for tickets are online here.
