News

The Commercial Vehicle Show will go ahead in 2009 despite the absence of the big eight manufacturers. Mercedes-Benz, Iveco, MAN, Volvo and Renault have followed in the footsteps of Isuzu, Scania and DAF by deciding they will not exhibit at the Birmingham NEC from 28 April 2008.

But principal organiser the Society of Motor  Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has reassured Commercial Motor that there are plenty of reasons for the show to go ahead.

Robin Dickeson, manager of commercial vehicle affairs at the SMMT, says: "We are reviewing how we do the show next year but it will go ahead and it will be a success."

Nigel Emms, director of brand and communication at Iveco, says: "The industry needs to review its approach to such events and we understand that the CV Show Partnership is also taking the opportunity to restructure the show to meet the latest market requirements."

Speaking as CV Show chairman, Emms adds: "Despite the withdrawal of major truck manufacturers, the show is still a valuable event for the transport industry."

On the 'domino effect' of manufacturers pulling out of the show, Ian Jones, managing director of commercial vehicles at Mercedes-Benz UK, says: "We feel that the withdrawal  of the majority of the largest manufacturers means it has now lost the appeal required to draw the necessary visitors."

MAN CEO Des Evans says the exit of other high-profile exhibitors has caused increasing concern "about the commercial viability of exhibiting".

Volvo spokesman Nigel Hanwell says that with the company cutting jobs in Sweden, it is not a good time to be seen spending money on large trade shows Laurent Farman, managing director of Renault Trucks, says he has to limit marketing expenses.

Meanwhile, DAF Trucks has pulled out of the European Road Transport Show at the RAI in Amsterdam next autumn, fuelling speculation that the show may be cancelled for the first time since 1973.