Yesterday we headed off to the Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC in Birmingham to see what's new and what's being launched in the industry for 2019 and onwards. Stepping into the show and moving straight to the main floor, we were greeted by Ford and their expansive set-up showcasing new vehicles, top specs and of course a live vehicle demonstration. 

Some of the most eye catching vehicles came in the forms of the above Transit Custom in Orange, adorned with Ford custom specs, and the below Raptor with it's bold design and tough outer appearance - the blue was also a big statement. Their live demonstration introduced the new Park Assist feature and allowed visitors to experience this up close from inside the Transit itself. 

Moving through the show, the key players such as the afore mentioned Ford, and VW, Toyota, Vauxhall all held prominent positions alongside some of our suppliers including Rhino. The leading manufacturer of roof products showcased their bestselling offerings like the Safe Step and Aluminum Roof Rack, as well as some upcoming launches in the form of their PipeTube Pro and Aluminum Ladder. The new pipe tube features a redesigned nose cone and the options for lined or unlined tubes, while the latest ladder offering is lightweight and customisable dependant on your van height and specific needs. 

VW showed a different side of what we're used to this year with a focus on Emergency vehicles like the Police van below, as well as high capacity bus options and an upgrade to the Crafter. They also of course showcased a basic Transporter model for styling lovers like ourselves. 

Next up was another supplier of ours, Van Guard. They have been quiet on the new product front for a while now, so this year they arrived to showcase the launch of their commercial vehicle locks including a 'Deadlock' and a highly effective 'Slamlock' among others. They also brought a ladder loading option with smooth functionality and ease of use. 

Moving on to a somewhat disappointing release in many peoples eyes, we were introduced to the new Vauxhall Vivaro with its redesigned front end, sunken engine bay (we're talking crazy amounts of space) and overall appearance not too dissimilar to other manufacturers. The 'New Vivaro' didn't wow, and neither did the 'Relay Electric' from Citroen. One new release that did catch our eye however, came from Toyota and their new Proace design - sleek and a great overall redesign. 

Finally we took a look at the LDV EV30 - their first real dabble in the world of electric vehicles since the EV80 and we have to admit, it wasn't what we were expecting. The design is simple, the wheels are tiny and the overall appearance left much to be desired. The rotating platform was however a nice touch to make an otherwise uninteresting vehicle stand out. 

Have you visted the CV Show this year? What were the standout launches and brands for you?