Truck and Track Autumn 2026 www.truckandtrack.com 68 The Commercial Vehicle Show delivered its strongest visitor numbers to date in 2026, and the headline figures told part of the story: more than 14,991 visitors, up 15 per cent on the year before, and exhibitor numbers up 30 per cent, bringing an even broader mix of vehicle manufacturers, technology providers, equipment suppliers and industry specialists to the NEC. But the more useful story sits underneath those totals. Look at who those visitors were and what they came looking for, and a clearer picture emerges of where the industry’s attention is heading into 2027, and it isn’t simply “more of the same, but bigger.” Building Momentum into 2027 The scale of CV Show 2026 reflected growing confidence in the event across the commercial vehicle industry. Exhibitor numbers increased by 30 per cent compared with 2025, and that growth was matched by more than 14,900 visitors, reinforcing the show’s position as a key meeting point for businesses across road freight, transport, distribution and logistics. That momentum is already carrying into 2027. Alongside the return of major vehicle brands and suppliers, key areas of the show are continuing to expand in response to demand from both exhibitors and visitors. The Workshop Zone will have an increased presence in 2027, with Everquip sponsoring the area, strengthening the show’s coverage of the equipment, servicing, maintenance and workshop solutions that support fleets throughout the vehicle lifecycle. That continued growth reflects the breadth of investment decisions being made across the sector. For operators, those decisions can range from purchasing new vehicles and evaluating alternative powertrains to investing in workshop equipment, diagnostics, telematics, fleet technology and operational systems. Bringing those areas together gives visitors the opportunity to compare solutions and speak directly with the businesses shaping the future of commercial transport. An Audience Ready to Invest Behind that growth is an audience with real influence over purchasing decisions, and one that arrived with intent. Visitors registered in advance, took one to three days out of an operational role, and came with a specific problem already in mind: a fleet decision to make, a supplier to shortlist, a budget to place. In 2026, 84 per cent of visitors were identified as influencers or key decision-makers within their organisations, while 42 per cent came from businesses employing 250 people or more. Nearly half represented organisations with annual purchasing responsibility above £1 million, including 22 per cent with responsibility exceeding £5 million. The breadth of organisations represented also underlines the commercial importance of the show. Fleet, procurement and operations professionals from businesses including DHL Express, Royal Mail, Amazon, Ocado Logistics, PepsiCo, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, BT and Network TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SHOW 2027 From innovation to efficiency: what CV Show 2026 tells us about the priorities shaping 2027 A record year for visitors is giving way to a sharper question for 2027: what fleets are actually trying to fix
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