The show must go on 06 March 2012

Despite industry-wide austerity measures, the CV Show continues to go from strength to strength. John Challen points out some of the scheduled highlights of the 2012 event, taking place on 24, 25 and 26 April at the NEC, Birmingham

Weighing up your options
Axtec (Axle Weight Technology) will once again be showing its range of axle weighing systems at the CV Show 2012. Among offerings will be the 4000 dynamic weighbridge, which has recently been awarded two test certificates. The first is for accuracy to within 0.5%, the other to within 0.25%, making it the most accurate dynamic weighbridge in the world, according to Axtec.

Since 1996, Axtec has been the principal contractor to VOSA for the supply, calibration, testing and maintenance of the national enforcement network of 67 roadside weighbridges, the overwhelming majority of which are dynamic weighbridges. This contract was recently renewed for three years, after Axtec consistently met the uptime rate of more than 97%.

Meanwhile, Axtec On-Board, which can be retrofitted in about three hours, is suitable for any four-wheeler from 3.5 to 18 tonnes gvw, as well as larger vehicles with air suspension. Sensors fitted to the axles determine axle and gross weights, displayed to the driver in graphic and numeric format on the dash-mounted colour screen.

New name in tail lifts
Three tail lift models are due to be shown by Maxon – all described as "prime examples of how the product's design has been rationalised to suit market requirements".

First up is the Max15S, Maxon's level ride, retractable lift, which claims a number of innovations. One of these is SmartStow, which ensures that, with the touch of one button, the lift accurately and safely deploys or stows beneath the rear of the chassis, without damage to itself or the vehicle.

Max10/15R features in Maxon's new Railift series, designed, it says, to revolutionise the segment – featuring two vertical cylinders, as opposed to one horizontal cylinder with chains or pulleys, as has been industry practice.

Finally, Maxon's MAX15T is the new high-end tail lift in its Tuk-A-Way product range. It features a steel/aluminium, or all-aluminium platform configuration up to 1,420mm in depth. The Max15T includes grease fittings at all critical rotation points and works for bed heights from 1,016mm (laden) up to 1,370mm (unladen).

Safety first products
TRW Automotive Aftermarket is to major on the 'no compromises on safety' message for its Proequip heavy commercial vehicle programme at the 2012 CV show.

TRW Proequip, one of Europe's fastest-growing HGV brands, will use its stand to showcase the full 'corner module' product portfolio of steering and suspension parts, now totalling more than 1,200 and covering brake pads, shock absorbers and steering gear.

"Since the rebrand in 2008, TRW Proequip has become a force to be reckoned with in the European HCV arena," states James O'Gara, UK sales and marketing director. "We have some serious developments planned for the next few years, which will take us further towards our goal of becoming the global leader for HCV parts," he adds.

On display will be XCAP, TRW's own design of tie rod end, launched two years ago to critical acclaim, and encompassing the latest in steering engineering.

Alignment assistance
Truck Align will be making its first appearance at the CV Show, the year of the company's 40th anniversary. Truck Align offers a one-stop shop service for paint, bodywork, major and minor accident repairs, and also specialises in chassis straightening.

Visitors to the stand can find out more about the company's range, which includes three straightening systems and cab jigs and a 150-tonne axle press. They will also learn about Truck Align's on site fridge box repairs and wheel alignment, as wello as its collection and delivery services.

Giving the industry a lift
Load handling devices, such as cranes and platform lifts, are among the most popular items to install on a new commercial vehicle and latest developments will be highlighted on Penny Hydraulics stand.

The company's SwingLift FV995 was introduced to provide a fully hydraulic vehicle-mounted crane with near one-tonne working load. Demand has come from operators that do not need the added cost and complexity demanded by EN12999. This incoming legislation stipulates that cranes with a maximum working load of 1,000kg or over must have additional sensors and interlocks to remain compliant.

Helping drivers to watch the clock
At this year's CV Show, Stoneridge will be showcasing its updated SE5000 Exakt digital tachograph, which includes new features to help drivers organise and manage driving time more efficiently.

Thanks to the availability of real-time information, drivers will be able to keep within the Drivers' Hours legislation, maximising driver and vehicle use, dealing with the one minute rule and handling deviations from pre-planned schedules.

Keep brakes in check
Bowmonk will be displaying the VOSA-approved portable BrakeCheck in Birmingham. Bowmonk believes that a simple electronic decelerometer test conducted on BrakeCheck prior to an MOT will alert operators to whether or not vehicle would pass the test. Likewise, performing a six-weekly inspection of the brakes could ensure that, if a vehicle was stopped at a roadside check, the brakes would pass.

Operators would perform these tests at their premises in minutes, according to Bowmonk, which says BrakeCheck is cost-effective, simple-to-use and designed to test the service and secondary brakes. The firm also says it shows which side of the vehicle has brake problems, by indicating left/right pull.

Also on the company's stand will be Smart Scale, a wireless onboard scale for commercial trucks, tractors and trailers. Smart Scale uses sensors to measure temperature and pressure changes in a vehicle's air suspension, and strain gauges on mechanical systems. It relays this data to a handheld receiver, using a low-powered radio transmitter.

Texa treats in Birmingham
The CV Show will witness Texa's unveiling of Axone 4, the Navigator Nano and the Twinprobe oscilloscope.

Using a heat sink integrated into the casing, Axone 4 does not require cooling fans. It is also fitted with lithium batteries. But its real power derives from IDC4 software, a universal, multi-environment diagnostics system with the most extensive coverage of makes and models.

Meanwhile, Navigator Nano is a miniaturised self-diagnosis vehicle interface for car-derived vans and LCVs. By using miniaturisation techniques, Texa has been able to reduce size and weight by more than 85%, compared with a traditional system, while leaving diagnosis capability unchanged.

Finally, its TwinProbe is a diagnostic measuring interface, capable of connecting to all the Texa display units, or a PC, via Bluetooth. The unit incorporates an two-channel oscilloscope, signal generator, a voltmeter and ammeter.

Opportunities to talk transport
Free seminars on key topics in the commercial vehicle industry will be run by Bridgestone from the company's exhibition area at the CV Show. Visitors will be able to get advice, hints and tips, and join debates on wheel security (looking at the costs and consequences), the future of fuel efficiency and how to save money by improving tyre maintenance. The seminars will run daily throughout the event.

Along with the seminars, which will be hosted by members of Bridgestone's commercial team, visitors will also find information on Truck Point, the company's fleet service provision, and its range of new and retread tyres.

"These seminars have been specially created and are part of our drive to help fleets reduce costs and improve efficiencies," says John Folliss, Bridgestone's commercial sales and marketing director. "They cover some of the biggest issues facing the industry over the next 12 to 18 months."

Safety and security solutions
Making its CV Show debut is Global Live, a joint development between Cobra UK and Global Vehicle Systems. The CCTV monitoring security system is designed to protect both assets and employees of companies involved in commercial haulage.

Global Live offers several safety and security benefits for CV operators, including remote locking and unlocking of cargo doors to protect valuable loads. Designed primarily for operators transporting high value consignments, the in-vehicle cameras continuously monitor the cabin and load areas, audibly and visually.

"Global Live is a natural extension to Cobra products and telematics services, building on our strengths in the automotive and commercial vehicle sectors with our CobraTrak range of stolen vehicle tracking and telematics solutions," states Andrew Smith, Cobra UK's managing director.

Boosting minivans
DFSK UK is about re-introducing minivans into the UK. Historically, such vehicles accounted for around 7,000 unit sales per year, but, with no new vehicles of this type for around five years, DFSK believes that demand will be at, or even exceed, this level.

As a result, it is importing vehicles designed and built in China, with its Loadhopper minivan range including a van, tipper and single and double cab pickups.

All four Euro 5-compliant vehicles offer useful cargo loading features, such as: a three-way tipping loadbed on the tipper; a 900kg-plus payload on the single cab pickup; and rear and two side loading doors on the van.

All models benefit from compactness and manoeuvrability, due to the short length, width and overhang, together with a turning circle of just 8.8m. The current dealer network stands at 28 outlets nationwide, although there are plans to increase this to 40.

Refreshed Citroën line-up
Latest generations of Citroën's Berlingo and Dispatch vans will make their debut in Birmingham, with the French manufacturer confirming that these LCVs will share stand space with models from the Euro 5 Nemo and Relay ranges.

With a maximum load capacity of 4.1m3, sliding side doors and 60/40 rear doors opening to 180°, the Berlingo can carry two euro pallets. For even greater versatility, the Extenso folding passenger bench seat for two is standard on LX and Enterprise models.

The new Berlingo is available with 'grip control' to increase traction, incorporating hill-start assist. HDi and e-HDi versions can now be specified with a fixed speed limiter enabling operators to set a permanent maximum speed from four limits.

For Dispatch, efforts have been made to reduce CO2 emissions, with the addition of aerodynamic panels underneath the body and a 'volt control' function to optimise battery charge by the alternator. These have seen Dispatch emissions fall to 177g/km from 182g/km for models powered by the HDi 90 engine, and from 179g/km to 168g/km for HDi 125.

Established names, new contracts
Air and water heater supplier Eberspacher will have news about its appointment as UK distributor for Wigam air conditioning workshop equipment, due to make its CV Show debut.

Eberspacher initially intends to market Wigam equipment to the commercial vehicle sector, where the range's tooling is expected to provide workshops with new business opportunities.

At the CV Show, visitors will be able to see a range of Wigam technologies, including the Piccola automatic charging machine; Total Test air conditioning leak detecting system (which uses Azoidro, a new gas claimed to find minuscule leaks that elude normal leak detectors using R134a refrigerant); and Flash-Flush, a small portable flushing system that cleans the system when an internal component breaks up – suitable for workshop-based or mobile engineers.

Telematics touted by Trafficmaster
Trafficmaster's CV Show display will focus on the productivity, financial, safety and environmental benefits of its telematics. Visitors will be able to see the Trafficmaster Smartnav satellite navigation and Teletrac, a Trafficmaster Fleet Director real-time fleet management systems.

Smartnav and Fleet Director are focused on the same goal – integrated, intelligent driving services that reduce costs, improve efficiency and reduce carbon footprint. Both systems use a common, configurable telematics platform. They provid accurate, real-time traffic data, based on Trafficmaster's network of 5,200 traffic sensors, which cover 100% of the UK's motorways and 95% of its trunk roads.

Supertrucks to showcase Space van
The 2012 model, low loading, high cube Space Van will make its debut at the CV Show. In its new format, Space Van incorporates a revised aerodynamic package and a wider range of options, including a greater choice of side load doors.

The show vehicle will be built on the new Euro 5 Citroën Relay back-to-back cab, with its HDi 130 engine and upgraded cab interior.

The Space Van's 20.4m3 load capacity, up to 1,260kg payload, a walk-in loading deck height of just 190mm (with optional air suspension) – combined with the new fuel-efficient Citroën Relay – makes for a highly productive vehicle for low-density, high-bulk products.

Author
John Challen

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