The 2023 Commercial Vehicle Show has opened its doors to the public. This year’s event is a much smaller affair than those before the pandemic – but it still played host to some very important unveilings, with new models from stalwart van brands like Ford and Iveco jostling for attention with vans from emerging manufacturers like Maxus and WEVC.
There was a common theme running between the show stands – electrification. The attending manufacturers used the event to lay out their plans for their upcoming electric-only commercial vehicle line-ups, as they race to meet the UK government’s 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel light commercial vehicles. Most are throwing their full weight behind battery power, but a couple are hedging their bets on hydrogen.
As usual, we had boots on the ground to bring you all the latest news. Below, we’ve provided a summary of each new commercial vehicle we saw – and if you need a little more info, we’ve provided links to our more detailed news stories. Scroll down to learn more.
What was on display at the 2023 CV Show?
Ford
Ford had the largest stand at the 2023 Commercial Vehicle Show, which befits its status as the UK’s biggest selling commercial vehicle brand. The biggest news from the stand was the van pictured above – the all-new Ford E-Transit Courier. It was first unveiled in an online presentation in April 2023, but the CV Show gave us our first opportunity to get up close and personal with it.
The Courier is a small electric van aimed squarely at the Peugeot Partner and Citroen Berlingo, but it’ll be a little more versatile as Ford will sell it with a choice of petrol, diesel and pure-electric powertrains. The combustion models will reach showrooms by the end of 2023, with the EV following on in 2024. It’ll have a maximum payload of 845kg and a 2.9 cubic metre load bay that’s long and wide enough for a pair of Euro pallets.
The next-generation Ford E-Transit was rolled out for the event, while the all-new Ford E-Transit Custom made its UK debut. If that wasn’t enough, Ford’s stand was packed with Ranger variants. There was a Ranger Raptor present, a few Wildtraks and a heavily modified adventure-spec Ranger conversion with a roof tent and built-in cooking facilities.
Isuzu
Isuzu unveiled an updated version of the D-Max at the 2023 CV Show. The changes are limited to cosmetic items, with buyers getting a revised radiator grille, a couple of new paint finishes and a pair of new alloy wheel designs. The pick-up’s cabin can also be trimmed in two new upholstery designs, one of which is a fresh leather finish for the most expensive DL40 and V-Cross models.
Iveco
The 2023 CV Show hosted the UK debut of the Iveco eDaily. It marked the first time that buyers were able to get up close to the large electric van, which promises a wide range of different body styles and a high payload. Tippers, chilled and refrigerated box vans and platforms will all be available in the range.
Iveco is primarily a truck manufacturer, so the eDaily is massively over-engineered for the light commercial vehicle segment, offering a maximum 4.6-tonne payload and a 3.5-tonne towing capacity. It also has a clever modular battery system – and Iveco is working on a hydrogen-powered version of the eDaily with help from Hyundai.
Maxus
Maxus made a splash this year by launching a new medium-sized, pure-electric panel van, called the eDeliver 7. It’s designed to bridge the gap between the brand’s existing eDeliver 3 and eDeliver 9, boasting a maximum payload of 1.2-tonnes and a range of up to 226 miles from its largest 88kWh battery.
Mark Barrett, director of Maxus, also hinted that an eDeliver 5 could be on the way soon. The finer details of the project are still a closely guarded secret, but he suggested the new van will be to Maxus what the Transit Custom is to Ford.
WEVC
WEVC (or Watt Electric Vehicle Company to use its unabridged title) is a new British commercial vehicle brand. It showcased its new EV platform at the CV Show, which serves as the foundations for a delivery van built in tandem with the Northern Irish vehicle conversion specialist, Etrux. It’s called the eCV1.
In simple terms, WEVC does the chassis while Etrux builds the body. Together, they’ve designed a prototype van with a 2.5-tonne payload and a maximum range of 235 miles. Rather unusually, it also has a central driving position, which the firm says allows easier access to the cargo bay through a sliding door in the bulkhead.
It attracted a lot of attention, too. A spokesperson for the brand said a major high street department store placed an order for 3,000 vans at the show.
Were there any other van brands at the CV Show?
In previous years, the CV Show has hosted nearly every major manufacturer in the van industry, but not always at the same time. This year, there were a lot of big brands that didn’t show up. Some were looking to save money on the cost of renting the floor space, while others simply didn’t have anything significant to announce.
The Stellantis group (that’s Citroen, Fiat, Peugeot and Vauxhall) was a notable absentee, as was Volkswagen. Stellantis is expected to update its vans later this year, so the CV Show didn’t match its timescales. Volkswagen also said its absence wasn’t a ‘never again’ decision. It just couldn’t make this year work.
Ineos, which was at the 2022 CV Show with its Grenadier 4x4, didn’t come to this year’s event either. The brand said the show was at the wrong time for its launch calendar.
When is the 2023 CV Show?
The dates for the 2023 Commercial Vehicle Show are 18–20 April. The UK’s automotive press descended on the event for the first day, but the general public can still visit the show over the following two days.
The CV Show opening times are 09:00 to 17:00 on Tuesday 18 April and Wednesday 19 April, and 09:00 to 16:00 on Thursday 20 April. It should be quieter towards the end of the week, which means you’ll have a better chance of getting near the vehicles if you’re interested in visiting.
Where is the 2023 CV Show?
The CV Show is taking place in its usual location – the NEC in Birmingham.
The full address is:
National Exhibition Centre Birmingham
Pendigo Way
Marston Green
Birmingham
West Midlands
B40 1NT
It’s easy to get to the NEC via the motorway, as it’s located near the M42, which is served by the M6 and M40. There’s plenty of parking at the venue, which you can pay for in advance or on the day.
It is also close to Birmingham International Airport, while the Birmingham International Railway Station is only a five minute walk away
If you’re travelling a long way and need a bed for the night, there are plenty of hotels in the immediate vicinity of the NEC and slightly further afield in Birmingham and the wider area.
How do you get tickets to the Commercial Vehicle Show?
Tickets for the CV Show are free, and available in advance via the official Commercial Vehicle Show website, or on the day at the NEC.
Visit this page to register for tickets ahead of time.
