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There is no queslion that the CV Show is aimed
Page 64
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at the decision makers within the industry—the guys with the chequebooks. But to see if there's anything at the NEC for the drivers, we staged a little test. Mr X was to go to all the major manufacturers' stands and attempt to get into the driver's seat of their flagships with someone from the stand in attendance — not once but twice.
First time round he was dressed in a suit displaying a 'transport manager' badge; later on he returned in jeans and a polo shirt with a company driver's badge.
My confidence in the theory that the CV Show is all about the money, and drivers were low on the exhibitors' priorities, was quickly shattered. Every manufacturer's staff not only welcomed both personae equally warmly but, especially in the case of lveco, went out of their way to accommodate the driver's requests.
Our man reported that at no time did he feel that any of the staff on the stands wanted to be talking to a suit rather than him.
Manufacturers, while obviously talking up the technical merits of their products, are also placing great emphasis on the driver and they positively welcomed some feedback. It seems that while the CV Show is the showcase for the industry and the place to do business, it is also the place where the upper echelons in the industry go to meet the people who spend every working day driving their products.
If drivers are looking for a show to socialise and have a laugh with their mates, we'll see them at Peterborough.
But if they want to see what the manufacturers are producing, talk to them and tell them directly what drivers are starting to expect, they should head for the NEC.