2013 CV Show review

More than 18,000 people (as yet unaudited) visited over 430 exhibitors in three of the NEC's halls at last month's CV Show – an attendance increase of 11.6% over 2012. For organisers IRTE Services – the trading company of SOE (Society of Operations Engineers) – RHA (Road Haulage Association) and SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders), those figures underline the show's standing as the UK's number one road transport event. A point confirmed by a visit from the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin on the first day. "We believe it was possibly our most successful CV Show ever," comments DAF marketing director Tony Pain. "We were inundated with visitors and enquiries. It also gave us a great opportunity to showcase the worldwide launch of two thirds of our product range." Scott Michael, Citroën's head of commercial vehicles and business centre programme, is equally enthusiastic. "The 2013 CV Show was another great success for Citroën, with a good mix of visitors representing both large fleets and SME companies." And visitors, too, can hardly have failed to be impressed by the sheer scale and diversity of vehicles, components, equipment and services on show. There really was something for everyone. Beyond the headline acts, though – most of which were previewed in depth in this journal's March and April issues – the following is a collection of our observations on the ground. DAF's Euro 6 CF and LF trucks DAF Trucks took the wraps off its new Euro 6 LF and CF trucks at the NEC's CV Show, and debuted its Euro 6 PACCAR MX-11 engine in the UK. "The Euro 6 project is the largest investment and development programme in DAF's 85-year history," states DAF president Harrie Schippers. The new LF, aimed at distribution, and the CF, for applications ranging from regional transport to construction, don't look very different. But appearances can be deceptive. DAF has developed a new chassis, new drivelines and an updated aerodynamic exterior design. Also, the trucks' interiors have also been completely renewed, with new seats, new instrument panels having colour information display and newly instrumented steering wheels. As for the Euro 6 power plants, they include the 4.5- and 6.7-litre PACCAR PX-5 and PX-7 engines, as well as the new 10.8 and 12.9 litre PACCAR MX-11 and MX-13 engines. All incorporate a high-pressure common rail injection system, a VGT (variable geometry turbocharger), and EGR (exhaust gas recirculation), SCR (selective catalytic reduction) and DPF (diesel particulate filter) after-treatment. Production of the Euro 6 CF is planned to start mid-year, with the Euro 6 LF distribution truck emerging in the fourth quarter. Driver First Assist safety campaign Driver First Assist (DFA) – an initiative aimed at reducing road traffic accident casualties and improving the image of road transport – was premiered at the CV Show. Hailed as a life-saving road safety initiative and supported nationally by all three emergency services, it also has industry support through Skills for Logistics (the transport industry's sector skills council) and Britain's senior traffic commissioner Beverley Bell. The brainchild of former truck driver, business development director at the Road Transport Industry Training Board and general secretary of the United Road Transport Union, David Higginbottom, it's about enabling drivers to provide first aid. "We believe we [can] train a significant number of drivers, starting with HGV drivers, but moving on to include van, car fleet and bus and coach drivers," states Higginbottom. Companies will also be invited to demonstrate their commitment by advertising their support in the form of branded vehicle decals, first aid kits, high visibility jackets, etc. New retread truck tyre Hankook used the CV Show to introduce Alphatread, which it describes as an environmentally conscious bead-to-bead retread truck tyre range, designed for medium-haul and covering sizes for drive and trailer tyres. Hankook claims the new rubber can help cut costs with its 'cradle to grave' offering. Alphatread R-DH05, for example, is a drive axle tyre for medium haul, available in sizes 295/80 R22.5 and 315/80 R22.5. With a wide outline and special compound, the R-DH05 promises "excellent" wet and dry performance, driving stability and long-lasting wear resistance. Hankook says that, while the extra-wide tread and deep grooves are key to high mileage, the optimised block shape provides block rigidity, also under heavy loads, for traction and tread stability. Meanwhile, its lateral-orientated tread design, with high density grooves, helps with all-weather traction. Cycle Alert with Eddie Stobart and KeltbrayM Equipment designed to help truck operators and drivers to be aware of cyclists – and already supported by Eddie Stobart and Keltbray – comprises three elements: a unit fitted to the bicycle or worn by a cyclist (£25); sensors fitted to the HGV; and a cab-mounted driver-alert device (£350). These three work together to form a communications network between all parties, with the driver being given maximum notice of the proximity of a cyclist. Cycle Alert says it knows that take-up of the product is needed by both haulage companies and cyclists to have any impact on road safety – which is why the organisation wants operators to test its technology. Cycle Alert is giving away supplies of cyclist sensors with each cab unit, for fleet operators to distribute to their local communities, including schools and colleges. "There are currently no systems on the market that can tell an HGV driver whether a cyclist is close to their vehicle," states Cycle Alert's co-founder and developer Peter Le Masurier. Transit range complete Ford's huge stand, which covered every sector of the van market, with the Transit Custom (more than 2,200 sold since its launch in March) and Transit Connect taking centre stage. With a new van range offering load capacities from 2.3 to 15m3 and gross vehicle weights up to 4.7 tonnes, Ford is clearly confident about the future. Hiab: cleaner, quieter, quicker Hiab's Moffet E Series 1.5 and 2.0 tonne all-electric forklift truck debuted at the CV Show. Interestingly, their near silent operation (sub-60dba) allows night-time operation in built-up areas. Compared with a conventional diesel forklift, the new unit is also safer and cheaper to run, while zero pollution at the point of use means it can be operated diesel- or gas-powered units cannot. Axtec weighs success Vehicle weighing systems specialist Axtec had "one of the best CV Shows" in 20 years, according to sales director Derek Hack. The firm showed its on-board, portable and dynamic axle weighing systems, and one visitor placed an order for one system, with an option for 90 more. Hack says vehicle operators are clearly getting more weight conscious. Axtec's Dynamic axle weighing system meets UK public weighbridge standards, meaning it could pay for itself in third-party fees. MAN's business solutions MAN's Euro 6 trucks, which saw the light of day for the first time in the UK, were but an "early indication" of next year's range. However, MAN boss Des Evans says: "The majority of tractor operators are still very interested in ordering Euro 5." He expects bottlenecks later the year to seriously impact availability, as fleet managers scramble to avoid the higher prices of Euro 6 trucks. Interestingly, Evans believes that the road transport industry will keep trucks longer and refurbish many more to stave off the day. "Our trucks are good for 1.5 million km; we expect people to use them for at least 1million Km." He also states that MAN is ready to sell trucks on a pence per kilometre basis. DriveCam helps DriveCam uses in-vehicle video recordings and analytics to improve driver behaviour and cut collisions. "We have the world's largest database of risky driving behaviour," explains Paul Jones, who heads UK operations. "We're using this to help." The system, which is triggered by high forces, captures eight seconds before and four seconds after an incident. It shows events in front of the vehicle as well as the driver, plus whatever may be visible through side and rear windows. Information can help predict and improve driving behavour and protect against false insurance claims. Petro-Canada's pure oil Canadian lubricants company Petro-Canada used the CV Show to launch its Duron UHP 10W-40 oil. The firm's transport oils manager Jane Li says its new oil is designed for Euro 5 and 6 truck engines. "We use 99.9% pure base oil," she says, suggesting that the result is reduced volatility, one of the reasons behind the firm's claim to extend oil change intervals and also engine life. The oil "outperforms the most stringent OEM standards," she asserts. Electric vans lead the way The CV Show hosted two new electric van debuts, one from Citroën (Berlingo Electric), the other, Nissan (e-NV200). Citroën's Michael says its newcomer was "extremely well received", with praise for its payload, load space and equipment level. "As the Electric Berlingo is based on one of the UK's most successful vans, it's a winner from the start," he adds. The van goes on sale in the next few months, at £21,300 includeing the battery. Like other electric vehicles, it should attract a big subsidy from the government. Nissan's Jon Pollock, UK corporate sales director, reports "very positive" reactions from visitors. This was another UK first, with the van offering a payload in excess or 700kg. "It will be available to purchase as a complete vehicle, with batteries, at launch," he says. Although unconfirmed, that seems due in 2014. Government subsidies will need to balance battery costs and will prove vital to whole life cost calculations. However, expect vans to spearhead any move to electric vehicles: many urban delivery vehicles travel little more than 50 miles a day and return to base. Duty cycles like this are ripe for electric power. Consumer-friendly MiX MiX Telematics has moved on since the last show, with a new focus on product flexibility. The company also promoted its trailer tracking technologies, offered as wired or wireless, and allowing fleets to keep a closer eye on vehicles, wherever they are. Sales and marketing director Steve Coffin reports that, having trialled the trailer tracking system, Wrings Transport has now committed to fitting it to all of its trailers. Health professionals The CV Show saw Stoneridge demonstrating its ability to help operators save money by closer fleet monitoring. The firm debuted Fleet Healthcheck, which works with its SE5000 Exakt Duo digital tachograph, introduced to comply with the one-minute rule. The new check shows operators how much money could be saved if they used Stoneridge's tachograph analysis system OPTAC3 and digiDL remote download technology. Stoneridge asserts that, on average, drivers are saving 45 minutes by using the SE5000. At £60 an hour, the firm points out that this equates to an annual saving of £10,000. Fiat's big ambitions Fiat Professional arrived in Birmingham with news of a 36% increase in sales in the first quarter, compared with last year. Sebastiano Fedrigo, director of Fiat Professional in the UK, says much of that success is due to the introduction of the Doblo and Fiorino models, as well as the introduction of ESC (electronic stability control) as standard on the Ducato. "Together with the deployment of the 2.3-litre Euro 5 engine, it gives us an edge over the competition," says Fedrigo. Vehicles on display at the NEC included a Ducato tipper, developed together with bodybuilder VFS, and offering a payload of 1,335kg, along with Fiat's Traction+ technology to allow 4x4 capability. Fedrigo insists that the Ducato tipper will be joined by Scudo and Doblo Crew vans, as well as the Doblo XL. "The next step is to introduce refrigerated vehicles to the UK." The Ultimate body Those in the market for a new tipping body liked ABBA Commercials' stand, with its latest Predator Ultimate. The company is offering virtually any body size body (one piece sides from 12m3 to 30m3) on short lead times. It's all CAD and CNC designed and built – and there are no drilled holes, since all panels are lasered together. You can get a 20-tonne payload, and three's a high percentage of Hardox Brinell 450 in the wear plate. Elsewhere, close attention has been paid to safety, with a 'three points of contact' access ladder mounted on the side, while an auto-locking system allows the tailgate to be operated from the cab. Suspension options It may have attracted visitors to its stand with a Volkswagen Amarok fitted with its technology for the Dakar Rally, but the message from VB-Airsuspension was that it wants to put its suspension systems in the hands of operators. There are three options: uprated coil springs, supplied for example to the RAC to improve towing capabilities; semi-air suspension, which can be changed manually; and full air-suspension kits – the target being sub-7.5-tonne vehicles. The fully air-suspension system can raise and lower the suspension, and all four corners of the vehicle can be manipulated to allow vehicle bodies to level on uneven ground. The company is also targeting local authorities, and ambulance and patient transfer fleets. True tyre costs ATS Euromaster's free Inflation Report 2013, , produced for the CV Show, highlights why fleets should be paying closer attention to tyres. The report compares prices today with a decade ago, and demonstrates how the rising cost of tyres and fuel mean sub-optimal tyre set-ups can cost commercial vehicle fleets dearly. Split into eight parts, including sections on under-inflation and wheel misalignment, the guide offers a stark wake-up call, says Peter Fairlie, ATS Euromaster's group sales director. "Maximising tyre performance should have been on every fleet manager's radar a decade ago," he insists. "But in 2013, if your tyres aren't being expertly managed then it should be ringing alarm bells." Fleet director saves 30% fuel Trafficmaster attracted transport managers' attention with its Teletrac Fleet Director, claimed to save up to 30% on fuel costs, while also reducing overtime by an average of 15%, increasing driver productivity by 12% and reducing unauthorised vehicle use. "Teletrac's advanced telematics – which support Smartnav satellite navigation, Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking and Fleet Director systems – can play a major role in cutting vehicle running costs, boosting productivity and cutting emissions," states Pat Gallagher, director of in-vehicle products. Iveco eyes the future Highlight of the Iveco stand were its Trakker Hi-Land construction vehicles and the new Euro 6 technology. The firm's new on/off road Trakker covers 19- to 72-tonnes and is available as 4x4, 6x4, 6x6, 8x4 and 8x8 rigids, as well as 6x4 tractor units. Power is 310—500bhp. "This is part of our new focus on the recovering construction industry," comments Nigel Emms, Iveco's UK brand and communications director. Beyond that, Iveco showed two SCR-only Euro 6 heavy-duty diesel engines. Emms says its selective catalytic reduction system is less complex than EGR/SCR combinations. It will "optimise" fuel use, help cut weight and increase durability, he adds. "