The Return of the Commercial Vehicle Show

There were high hopes for this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show. The show returned in a much reduced form than usual last year after the severe disruption caused by Covid-19. With things returning to normal, those in the commercial motor and leasing industries hoped the show would return to its pre-covid splendour.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, and only six companies chose to exhibit their commercial lease vehicles. However, we must temper disappointment at the turnout with the impressive effort, and investment put into the show. Here’s a quick rundown of the exhibitor highlights. 

Ford

The manufacturer once again lived up to its ‘go big or go home’ approach to commercial lease vehicles. Ford’s focus this year was on rebranding its commercial vehicle sector. Ford Pro encompasses every aspect of its commercial vehicle arm, including support. Ford spared no time or expense on audio-visual presentations describing the concept.
The star of Ford’s show was the all-electric E-Transit. It created plenty of interest, but the latest Ranger and Ranger Raptor are snapping hard at its heels. The high-performance Raptor is stunning and offers an impressive centrally-mounted display screen that dominates the entire dashboard. The Raptor is available for pre-order, while you’ll need to wait until 2023 for the core Ranger. 
The Tourneo Connect was an exciting addition to the Ford stand this year. Volkswagen successfully shares the platform that the Tourneo is built on. It has much potential for a passenger version of a commercial vehicle. The double cab version of the MS-RT Transit Custom and an eye-catching special edition of the MS-RT Ranger were also on show at the Ford stand. 

Toyota

Toyota proudly displayed its new ‘Toyota Professional’ branding and had its full vehicle range on show, including the electric versions of the Proace City, Proace, and Hilux.
The manufacturer tested the water at the show in 2021 with the Corolla Hybrid commercial vehicle. The vehicle was front and centre this year, having entered production. There is plenty of interest in the unique van from small businesses looking for cost-effective, tax-efficient, green solutions for moving small loads. Its car-like driving experience was also a unique selling point for many small businesses that didn’t want a traditional style fleet van. 

Maxus

Maxus unveiled the T90EV, its all-electric pickup. The manufacturer states that the pickup has a 198-mile maximum range (WLTP City figures). The 740kg payload may cause some issues in the UK related to tax and VAT implications for sub-1000kg pickups.
The T90EV will not be available in the UK until 2023 In the meantime we eagerly await more information on the specifications and price. The e DELIVER 3 and its tipper version were on show. So too was the e DELIVER 9 and a minibus conversion built on the foundation of the e DELIVER 9.

LEVC

The VN5 hybrid lease van was proudly on display. Its specifications and numbers may be similar to others in its category, but the effectiveness of its transformation is what sets it apart. The taxi body and load bay look as if they belong on a van. The cab design is modern and comfortable, the sides create clean straight lines, and the wheel arches offer minimal intrusion. 

INEOS

2022 is INEOS’ show debut. The British company showcased the Grenadier. The tough offroader has a passing similarity to the first Land Rover Defender. Orders are being taken for the vehicle, which is described as a ‘modern, workhorse 4X4, engineered and built to world-class standards.’ The Grenadier features a permanent 4-wheel drive, a box section ladder frame chassis, a two-speed transfer case and central locking differential included on all models. The INEOS will also offer various factory-fit options and accessory options. 

Isuzu

This year Isuzu demonstrated the versatility of the D-Max pickup. The manufacturer displayed working fleet examples of the truck, including specialist equipment and conversions. The D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 was also on show and looked especially impressive with its wider wheel arches, massive tyres and raised stance.

While there was plenty to see and explore from the manufacturers on show, the main talking point was why others chose not to exhibit. Mercedes Benz, the Stellantis group, Nissan and Renault were all absent. Budgetary constraints are one possibility, as are supply line shortages and general belt-tightening across the industry.

The lack of these names allowed others to shine. If you want to know more about any commercial vehicles we’ve discussed, contact Express Vehicle Contracts today. We can help find the right commercial lease for your business or fleet and get you on the road for less.