Transport trading

The 67th IAA Commercial Vehicles exhibition takes place in Hannover, Germany, from 20 to 27 September 2018. It is a leading international event for the industry and covers everything transport-related from trucks and trailers to cranes, components and the rapidly advancing digital element of things.

Almost 250,000 visitors attended the last show from 52 countries. Over an exhibition area of 270,000 square metres more than 2,000 exhibitors, 61 % of them international, will have an opportunity to present or talk about something new. Many of the exhibitors have an eye on a digital future so a theme of this year’s event is ‘Driving Tomorrow’. This will include the New Mobility World, a focus on connected and automated driving, alternative powertrains, urban logistics and transport services. Designers and other decision makers will present views on how traffic, mobility and logistics can become more efficient, greener and smarter.

Market growth

IAA Commercial Vehicles is organised by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA). Commenting on the commercial vehicle market, Bernhard Mattes, VDA president, said, “The international commercial vehicle markets are developing well. For example, by the end of May our Western European home market had expanded by a good 1 per cent.”

In the first half of 2018 in Europe nearly 125,000 heavy-duty trucks were sold - the highest number since 2008. The market also grew in the new EU member states and in Russia.

The situation was equally good on the US truck market, Mattes said, with a rise of almost 18 % in the first five months of the year. China, the world’s largest truck market, also showed double-digit growth from January to May – up by 12 %.

“In addition, Brazil – a cause for concern over recent years – is again generating optimism,” Mattes continued.

Sales rose more than half, from a low level, in the first five months of 2018. India is the third largest market in the world and expanded strongly, up 49 % in the first half. Following a similar pattern are the markets for trailers and bodies. Sales in Germany grew 10 % in the first quarter.

Looking ahead, Mattes said, “On the commercial vehicle markets, the outlook for 2018 as a whole is also largely positive, especially given the healthy state of the global economy. No-one is going to overlook the risks here – especially the political risks – and that includes the effects of Brexit. In important regions there is the threat of isolationism and protectionism. So it is all the more imperative that we continue to back free and fair trade and continuation of the negotiations between the large trading nations.”