Road Transport Expo 2024

Most important date in the British calendar

Over the last three years, the Road Transport Expo at Stoneleigh Exhibition Centre in Warwickshire has become the most important fixture in the British commercial vehicle exhibition calendar, and this June’s event was no exception, with all of the major heavy truck builders in attendance with an impressive supporting cast of trailer and bodywork suppliers. Our freelancer Richard Stanier from Stoke-on-Trent took a look around and sent us his report with interesting photos.

Arguably, Volvo stole the show with a comprehensive line up outside the main exhibition hall which included their new Aero models, including the mighty FH 16 780 powered by the new D17 diesel which is now the most powerful production truck in Europe. An electric Aero FH was exhibited inside the hall, and the company also showed a good selection of their other models, including an FM electric Tridem with low-cab, an eight-wheeler FM with mirror cameras and a 4x2 FL mixer with revised frontal styling.
Scania were not to be outdone, and their impressive offering included an old Scania Vabis LB 76 and a 143 6x2 unit as part of their 60 years in the UK celebrations. The company’s V8 770 tractor unit was also displayed alongside the new “Super” range and, of course, an electric tractor unit – the 40 R. 

Mercedes and MAN both debuted new electric tractor units – the eActros 600 in Mercedes’ case and the 18.449 from MAN.

The new Mercedes features the newly-designed “ProCabin” which has attracted some criticism for its looks, but Daimler Benz have announced that this aerodynamically enhanced design will be adopted for its diesel-powered range also. 
The electric MAN is externally barely distinguishable from its diesel-powered counterparts and shared stand space with, amongst others, a very impressive TGX 41.640 8x4 heavy haulage tractor, capable of operating at 250 tonnes, and MAN’s old 415 L1 which is now being wheeled out again following an absence of some years.
Iveco’s exhibits included a very smart X Way 530 8x4 tipper with high-roof sleeper cab and an S Way 570 tractor unit resplendent in “Turbo Star” livery.
Renault were represented by their new E -Tech electric trucks and their Range T high models amongst others.
The exhibition also featured DAF’s new XB models for the first time, together with the new XD “Direct Vision Champion” unit.
Isuzu are now the market leader of 7.5 tonners in the UK, and these were well represented at the show alongside the altogether-rarer F Series 13-tonner.
Hydrogen Vehicle Systems (HVS) from Glasgow presented the prototype of a futuristically styled hydrogen tractor unit that can move a 40-ton rig 600 kilometers.
The electric Sany concrete mixer was also displayed, as were electric light commercials from the Chinese manufacturer, Maxus. Volta, the Swedish electric truck manufacturer, has recently emerged from administration and their familiar box van was exhibited alongside a new 18 ton chassis cab, which is a departure from the manufacturer’s previous policy of offering only 15 ton box vans. Their representative also informed me that their previous policy of offering vehicles on a pay-per-km leasing arrangement is being joined by vehicles offered for outright purchase.

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