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RETAIL THERAPY!
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If you're looking to update your fleet with anything from a premium tractor to a fresh seat cover you'll find what you need at the NEC.
This year's CV Show looks like being the biggest in the event's history with the number of exhibitors up to nigh on 500 and record-breaking crowds expected over the three days.
While the CV Show is rarely picked for global debuts there will be plenty of 'first UK appearances' at this year's exhibition.
On the truck front look out for the first sighting of ERF's new Olympic cab,Volvo's high-power FH16 and the latest Mercedes Actros multi-wheeler range.
Van users will be particularly interested in VW's all-new Caddy. the Nissan Cabstar and sneak preview of the long-awaited LDV.
Despite calls from some truck manufacturers for the CV Show to be a biennial event all the big firms will be in attendance at this year's gathering, with many giving a first UK airing to products launched during the past 12 months. After a busy few years revamping the XF. CF and LF ranges, Daf has spent the past 12 months filling the niche gaps in its line-up. As well as the bread-and-butter tractors and rigids on the Daf stand, check out its construction and distribution multi-wheelers.
From what we're hearing the future appears to be looking a little brighter at ERF.The order book's looking good and a number of traditional ERF operators appear to have returned to the fold.The German-owned truck brand is set to unveil its top-of-the-range Olympic tractor at the show. Based on the MANTGA high-roof XXL the new ERF is firmly in the luxury flagship class.
Cummins still commands an 85% share of ERF tractor sales with its ISMe engine and the engine builder will no doubt be hoping to keep that share with its new 9-litre ISLe engine. Cummins first showed this engine at the CV Show two years ago; now the range has been extended with a 350hp diesel-fuelled Euro-3 motor and a gas-powered alternative that produces 315hp and is green enough to meet Euro-5 standards.
ERF's traditional rival, Foden,will have an array of product on the stand, as will its main engine provider Caterpillar.
Big news on the Foden stand is the arrival of the ZF AS-Tronic automated transmission for the Alpha truck range. Foden is offering the 12-speed version in its rigids and tractors in conjunction with the Cummins ISMe 11-litre engine.
Caterpillar gets a look in on Foden's stand by virtue of the C12 Dual Fuel engine offered in its chassis; Foden will also be displaying a Cat-powered 6x4 tractor and eight-wheeler tipper.
Like Daf, Iveco is nearing the end of a major product replacement programme —only the EuroTrakker has yet to be superseded. Expect the two latest additions to the line-up, the Eurocargo and Stralis AT and AD, to take pride of place on the lveco stand.
Seddon Atkinson has become something of the forgotten marque in the UK, but after a few years in the wilderness the company appears to be fighting back. Continuing its focus on the niche construction sector it will be previewing its new range of R5 Strato rigids which feature the new Eurucargo cab from parent lveco.
It's 12 months since Mercedes gave the new Actros line-up its first UK airing at the CV Show. Actros is the reigning International Truck of the Year and the tractor will be joined by multi-wheeler variants. Too heavy for ag gregates operation. the Actros eight-wheeler is best suited to muckaway work.
Also on the Mercedes stand, look out for the first full auto-mechanical transmission to be made available in a 7.5-tonner.
MAN's new middleweight is still some 12 months away but the German builder will also have something new for the UK public. CM readers will be aware that the company launched a 10.5-litre engine last month (CM 12 February), this will take pride of place on the MAN stand. Look out for the first driving impressions of this engine in next week's CM.
Renault's stand last year was used as the launch pad for its new lightweight range of multi-wheelers.This year Renault has turned its attention to the muckaway tipper chassis and the Kerax gets a new lighter suspension package to reduce kilos from the truck.
With the launch of the new Scania range now just weeks away we'll forgive the people there if their minds aren't wholly focused on the NEC. Sadly the newcomer isn't in time to make a CV Show appearance: instead this will be the 4 Series' final bow. In an attempt to get the most from the outgoing model Scania is offering another limited edition version of the 4 Series tractor: the Silverline Classic.
As you'd expect it comes with all the bells and whistles and is backed up by a three-year driveline warranty. With the new launch imminent this could be the right time to strike a deal for one of the final run of the 4 Series.
Visitors to the Volvo stand might be left wondering where all the trucks are.Aceording to Volvo, 75% of the stand will be devoted to hospitality and meeting rooms, with the remainder for trucks. While the lure of beer and sandwiches might be enough to tempt many to the stand,Volvo will also he giving the new FH16 tractor its UK launch.
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Like Daewoo.Turkishowned BMC is a relative newcomer to the UK market; it will be displaying its new range of 12 to 26-tonne rigids.A new van is expected to join the line-up soon, but we'll be surprised if it makes a Birmingham debut.
Vans aplenty The van sector continues to enjoy unprecedented growth in the UK and the major players in the market will be out in force at Birmingham, led by local firm LDV which will use the show to give van buyers a sneak preview of its long-awaited new van range.
Due for launch in the autumn the new van will, we understand, be encased in glass to stop visitors getting too close, but it will give a good idea of how the newcomer will look. With an ageing line-up LDV is the master of 'special limited editions': the latest example being the T2 Special Edition complete with leather covered steering wheel, power steering, top-of-the-range CD player, stainless-steel rims and a host of other goodies. It's on offer at £12,995.
VW will have the Transporter on its stand, newly crowned as International Van of the Year. But it will be vying for attention with the all-new Caddy family which will be making its show debut and is sure to draw the crowds.
Rival German van maker Mercedes will spotlight its all-new Vito van, which will be joined by the Sprinter.
Market leader Ford will be showing the new Fiesta van alongside its Transit and Transit Connect ranges, Don't miss the high-performance Transit Connect which boasts a 2-litre, 212hp Focus RS engine, roll cage,18in wheels and Sparco racing se ats.Watch this space for a full roadtest.
Also on the Ford stand will be the Ranger Thunder pickup— the range has been extended to increase the choice of colours and body styles.The four-door Thunder Super Cab features a leather interior,ABS and air-con with innovative reverse-hinged, counter-opening rear doors that eliminate the B-pillar between the front and rear doors.
Vauxhall has been making some inroads into Ford's market leadership over the past 12 months.Its show highlights will include the new Vivaro dropside and crew-cab (CM 26 February).
Citroen, Peugeot and Fiat have recently launched a revised version of the Dispatch/ Expert/Scud° (same vehicle, different badges and, in the case of Fiat, different engines): they will take centre stage on their respective manufacturers' stands. In addition, look out for improvements to the Doblo Cargo on the Fiat stand, In a similar badge engineering deal, Nissan shares its van range with Renault and Vauxhall. Nissan's range is complemented by a 3.5-tonne truck at the top end and a 4x4 pickup range at the bottom end.
The Cabstar hada recent update with the arrival of a new transmission and engines. It will be making its show debut alongside a special-edition pickup, the Navara Rally Raid, which is being introduced to celebrate Nissan's participation in the Dakar Rally.