It was less ‘Planes, Trains & Automobiles’ and more along the lines of ‘Vans, Trucks & Tube Strikes’ as 1000s descended to Birmingham’s NEC for the 2026 edition of the Commercial Vehicle Show
The event did not disappoint – and it was a great opportunity to check out the latest vehicles and innovations in the evolving world of CVs
Competition is Intense
Much has been said about the growing competitiveness of the CV space, and you only needed to glance at this year’s show to confirm this. From the Chinese and South Korean challenger brands to well-established manufacturers, a huge range of competitors were vying for attention with new product launches and showcases of their vehicles. The latest CV registration figures indicate some significant shifts in market share between some of the category’s longest standing brands in addition to the growth of challengers, with the likes of Maxus and Farizon achieving notable increases in new registrations. This trend looks only set to continue given the many new vehicle launches that have been announced for the next 12 months
What stood out was the sheer diversity of approaches being pursued. While some called attention to the polished aesthetics and advanced tech within their vehicles – highlighting the different bolt-on options they offer to justify their pricing –
many challenger brands were following a different path,
showcasing vehicles that do the basics well, with competitive and enticing prices alongside this
Stretching Van Functionality into New Places
The newly released BEV Ford Explorer Van was eye-catching. Simply put, this is a car that does ‘van stuff’ – offering a comparable footprint and load space to a small van with the outward appearance of an Explorer SUV
The directness of its naming also feels significant. Calling this the ‘Explorer Van’ is a clear effort by Ford to emphasise productivity above all else. Based on See’s first-hand research experiences with commercial drivers, it feels as though this vehicle will tick important boxes for certain customers – and blending the productivity of a small van with the aesthetics of a car will be highly appealing to some
For example, there are dual use drivers who want a vehicle that strikes an even balance between their work and personal needs and the Explorer Van can give them something that looks, feels and drives like a car once they’re done with their work for the day
Additionally, theft from vehicles is a constant concern for commercial drivers – and an unattended van can present an enticing target for tool thieves. With its outward appearance of an SUV, the Explorer Van effectively allows these customers’ vehicles to hide in plain sight
These customers are out there, and these are crucial concerns that many grapple with. I can see this area of the market expanding even further in the future
Maximising the Value of Every Pound Spent – and Every Mile Driven
Unsurprisingly, boosting productivity and value for fleets was a key theme across the show. As part of this, telematics – the use of tech to continually monitor, send and receive data from fleet vehicles out on the road – was a consistent presence
Driver behaviour monitoring was a hot topic, and this was especially interesting to me given the work we do at See. We are privileged to spend time with drivers and by meeting, observing and speaking with them, we gain a deep insight into their routines to understand the moments and tensions that define their day-to-day experiences
These drivers are placed under significant strain and stress as they juggle their responsibilities with the challenging contexts of modern cities and roads. Whilst much was made of the data and tracking opportunities that can be placed at the fingertips of fleet managers by telematics, the same attention was not always given to how these tools will deliver benefits to, and improve the experiences of, the drivers themselves
These tools should support, guide and empower drivers as much as possible. The likes of Lightfoot are doing a great job of striking this balance effectively – by offering solutions that seek to directly recognise and reward fleet drivers for good driving, while still highlighting the productivity benefits on offer to fleet managers
Going Back to Basics – But Delivering Bang for Your Buck
Another Ford product – the upcoming Transit City – also stepped into the spotlight at this year’s CV Show
This vehicle has simplicity at its core, but this doesn’t make it any less eye-catching. It delivers the key functions of a van (i.e. a highly productive ‘box on wheels’) with an EV range that meets the needs of most urban users, all at a price that can credibly compete with the latest challenger brands
Against the competitive backdrop of the current CV space, this vehicle is an interesting foray by Ford into a new area of the market. It emphasises value-for-money alongside productivity and is a robust response to this wave of new competitors
Looking to the Future
There has arguably never been a better time to be a CV customer. Challenger brands are not only bringing their own innovative products to market, but are also driving long-established brands to push their own thinking to maintain market share – and this means there is a staggering amount of choice available on the market
Notably, brands are bringing out increasingly stylish and efficient models that still offer the practicality of a van. I expect
we will see more car drivers being enticed
by the passenger vans that are available on the market. This holds especially true for customers who have hobbies, interests and routines that place a premium on space and flexibility
Whether customers are looking for a simple box on wheels, a vehicle with the latest tech and tools, or even a van that looks and feels like a car, there is something out there for them – and it will be fascinating to see which areas of the market grow or shrink in the next few years