"Beware The Harbingers Of Doom - They Could Be Wrong" Says CV Show Partnership

BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom – December 5, 2008: The news that CV registrations continue to show a decline should not hide the fact that there are customers out there buying, says the CV Show Partnership, made up of the RHA, SMMT and IRTE.

“It’s tempting to give up on 2009, to fold up one’s tent and walk away,” said Roger King, RHA Chief Executive, “but this would be playing into the hands of the gloom-mongers. The CV Show 2009 represents not just a beacon of hope but a blaze of opportunity, a chance to draw a line and start to sell again.”

The RHA recognises that business activity with hauliers has taken a tumble. “But we are delighted with the resilience of our members, all of whom are recovering from fuel prices that peaked at 22ppl more than is currently being paid, despite the chancellor’s ridiculous 2ppl fuel tax imposition announced in his pre budget statement.”

“If we can drive down the current 12ppl on average surcharge on diesel, and our referral to the OFT on this might help, this will further reduce operating costs. What this amounts to is the potential for guarded optimism by hauliers as fuel prices have tumbled. I believe the CV Show in April is strategically placed to capitalise on this and that new business potential is considerable.”

The RHA considers it is unwise to assume that the UK market for CV investment is the same globally. “Road transport in the UK accounts for 90 per cent of freight movement, and is certainly truck and van dependent,” said Roger King. “And that is exactly why, alone of all EU countries, we can support an annual CV Show and why they have been so successful.”

The Commercial Vehicle Show will be held at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, from 28-30 April 2009. It is owned by the CV Show Partnership, comprising the Road Haulage Association, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and the IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers), a professional sector of the SOE (Society of Operations Engineers). Crystal Communications handles stand space sales and marketing for the Partnership.