Industry News
News for 31st July 2008
Think you're cool? Visit COOL 2009 and find out!
Since its first appearance as the Cool Pavilion ’97, COOL 2009 again promises to be the largest single display of refrigerated transport equipment and vehicles in Europe. COOL returns to its traditional CV Show home in hall 3a of the NEC Birmingham, from 28-30 April 2009, creating a unique meeting place for reefer and cold store operators.
With more than nine months to go, leading players such as Frigoblock, Krone, Paneltex, RVL, Schmitz Cargobull and Solomon have already booked their space and will be showing the latest developments in the sector.
The first specialist sector in the Commercial Vehicle Show, COOL was praised by visitors in research conducted after the 2008 Show, as explained by Tony Young, CV Show manager. “In common with our other specialist sectors, COOL scored highly with 86% of respondents rating it excellent, very good or good,” said Tony. “Our return to halls 1-5 of the NEC for the next three years means COOL will have a permanent home in the heart of the CV Show halls, ensuring visitors with specific interest in cold chain distribution know just where to look, before viewing the diverse content of the rest of the CV Show.”
Show organisers are delighted over 40% of the available space is already booked, just one month after CV Show 2009 details were sent to potential exhibitors. There is a real possibility that 2008’s success will be repeated when the Show sold out well before it opened. Exhibitors wanting to be allocated space on the first draft Show plan are urged to contact the sales team on 01634 261262 or e-mail sales@cvshow.com
The CV Show will be held at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham from 28-30 April 2009. It is the fastest growing and most successful business to business event of its type in Europe, with free entry available across the three day exhibition. The event 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.
For further information please visit www.cvshow.com
Motorsport Sunday will be a petrolhead's dream
The British International Motor Show, sponsored by Zurich Connect, will host ‘Motorsport Sunday’ on 3 August, marking the final day of the event and promising a host of motor racing treats. As well as virtual racing simulators and a number of celebrated pedigree sportscars, there will be live coverage of the Hungarian Grand Prix, televised on a 20-square metre screen, courtesy of Philips, and appearances from some of motorsport’s most memorable characters.
As a special treat for F1 fans, the live broadcast of the racing from Budapest will be introduced by the instantly recognisable voice of F1 commentating legend Murray Walker OBE. Motorsport aficionados will be just as thrilled to see Sir Stirling Moss OBE mixing with the crowds. Both of these iconic personalities will be signing copies of their new books for visitors during the morning.
Lovers of motorsport can check out the Go Motorsport stand in the South Hall to find out how easy it is to get involved in the action at all levels, whether as a competitor, spectator, official or trackside marshal. The stand features a 2008 AT&T Williams F1 car, an M Sport Fiesta Sporting Trophy car promoting Wales Rally GB, a Ferrari from the British GT Championship, a racing Caterham, an Autotest car and a racing Kart.
Other motorsport attractions at the Show include a number of F1 cars, from companies such as Toyota (Stand N15), Honda (Stand N31) and Renault (Stand S15). Ford meanwhile is hosting its ‘World Rally Championship Area’, which has a World Rally Championship (WRC) Focus car, a WRC Simulator, a 1970s Ford Escort Rally and the BP Ford World Rally Team trophies.
The world of touring cars is well represented, with exhibits ranging from the SEAT Leon TDI Touring Car and Honda Civic Touring Car – the latter taking part in Honda’s Dreamscape show – to the Vectra VXRacing and Chevrolet Lacetti Touring Car simulators.
Other thoroughbred competition cars on display include the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP LMS car that finished second in this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours race, Suzuki Swift Sport Cup rally cars, a Peugeot 207 Spider Cup racer, the dramatic Mazda Furai Concept which is based on the chassis of an endurance racer, an Aston Martin Vantage N24 sportscar developed for the Nürburgring 24-hour race and, in the Heritage Enclosure, a Ford GT40 Continuation that competes in the British GT Championship. Santa Pod drag racers are on display in the South Hall and in the Outdoor East area.
Continuing the racing theme is the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport Coffee Bar, which features video footage of races. The ‘Shop @ The Motor Show’ has displays and items for sale from Alex Reade (motorsport gifts and memorabilia), F1 Model Helmets (retailer of scale model F1 helmets), JK Marketing (motorsport memorabilia and clothing), Race To The Finish (F1 memorabilia), Duke Marketing (motorsport and specialist interest DVDs) and F1 Shop (F1 memorabilia and products).
Finally, those visiting the Heritage Enclosure for the F1 coverage will be able to enter a fabulous motorsport-themed competition, offering the chance of a passenger ride in a GT40 Continuation race car – a precision-crafted, authentic re-creation of the Ferrari-beating, Le Mans-winning Ford GT40s of the 1960s. This fantastic prize includes two VIP passes for the Silverstone round of the British GT Championship on 17 August where the GT40 Continuation will be competing, and includes a grid walk, hospitality and a passenger ride around the circuit in the car. The GT40 Continuation race car will be on display in the Heritage Enclosure throughout the Show.
Supercar club, ecurie25 to offer world's first zero emission electric Range Rover
Liberty Electric Cars and ecurie25, the world’s most sophisticated supercar sharing club, have reached an exclusive agreement that will give the car club’s members unique access to the world’s first zero emission electric Range Rover.
Barry Shrier, CEO of Liberty Electric Cars says: “We are delighted that ecurie25 has decided to make the Liberty electric Range Rover available to its members. Apart from being one of the most notable car clubs in the world, ecurie25 is distinct in that it actively encourages its members to divide their driving time between the exotic and the environmentally-friendly.
“General sales interest in the electric Range Rover has been staggering, so we are sure that it will be a very popular choice with ecurie25 members”.
The Liberty electric Range Rover drives cleanly and quietly around roads and cities, free of tax, congestion and parking charges, making less environmental impact than even the smallest, most fuel efficient car, yet still offering the comfort and security of a luxury 4 x 4”. It has a driving range of 200 miles, further with its on board generator, which maintains power levels while the vehicle is in use.
The vehicle has 80 per cent lower running costs than the equivalent petrol powered Range Rover. Electrical power is also a more efficient source of power, and enhances dynamic performance because of its instantly available torque.
Chirag Shah, director, ecurie25 said: “The Liberty electric Range Rover will be available later this year. We are very pleased to have secured this opportunity exclusively for our members. They will be among the first in the world to drive this truly innovative vehicle”.
With two London locations; Old Street and Knightsbridge, ecurie25 is London’s premier luxury car club.
In exchange for an annual membership fee, members gain access to the club’s collection of cars – typically 30-60 days per year. As with other asset sharing concepts, cost savings are significant. Whereas the cost of running a supercar such as a
