The newly formed North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta is quickly taking shape, organisers reported.
The 2017 event – jointly organised by Hannover Fairs USA (HFUSA) and Newcom Media – has reportedly received bookings by “many of the top truck and trailer manufacturers, as well as commercial vehicle suppliers” in North America.
“The inaugural show is off to a very promising start. Approximately 70 per cent of the show’s exhibition space has been booked,” said Larry Turner, President & CEO of HFUSA.
“We expect to fully book all of the exhibition space by early 2017 as the North American commercial vehicle industry has responded favourably to this dynamic new event and how we have positioned it to meet the industry’s evolving needs.”
Additionally, the organisers have adjusted the original trade show dates. On Monday, 25 September 2017, the NACV Show will open only to attendees who have received an invitation from one of the show’s exhibitors. The trade show will then officially open on the following day.
Truck OEMs Daimler Trucks North America, Navistar, Volvo Trucks and Mack Trucks have reportedly already signed a booking form, as well as trailer manufacturers Great Dane, Utility, Hyundai and Manac. In the supplier category, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, Continental, Meritor, Eaton, Tenneco, Hendrickson, SAF-Holland and DANA are said to be onboard.
NACV came out on top a lengthy debate about the suitability of the Mid-American Truck Show (MATS) as a national North American business platform that lasted for the best part of the first half of 2016.
The discussion was set in motion after a number of North American truck-making corporations and independent engine maker Cummins backed out of MATS, saying that an every-other-year format made more sense.
Sources exposed they wanted to display in Europe at the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover, Germany, in even-numbered years, and at a major North American show in odd-number years.
While American Trucking Associations (ATA) and the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) has also entertained the idea of creating a national show in Atlanta, the NACV concept now seems to have gained critical mass, experts told Global Trailer.