INDIANAPOLIS. The 2013 edition of the Work Truck Show has been deemed a major success by the National Truck Equipment Assn. (NTEA). This year’s show had a verified attendance of 10,351 people, just 51 shy of the record set last year, organizers said, despite the massive snowstorm that rolled across the country stranding many who had planned to attend.
There was more exhibit space (520 exhibitors covering more than 500,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space) and educational programming in 2013 than ever before, NTEA said, and next year’s show is shaping up to be just as big. The association said that 95% of 2014’s exhibit space is already sold.
Held at the Indiana Convention Center, this year’s show, on March 6-8, was preceded by the Green Truck Summit, jointly produced by NTEA and CALSTART, on March 5-6,
“The NTEA is proud to provide the industry’s ultimate platform for sharing new work truck products and cultivating business relationships,” said Steve Carey, NTEA executive director. “It is clear that The Work Truck Show has truly become the single most important forum for work truck professionals throughout North America. With a record level of exhibitor booths already sold for the 2014 show, we are confident that the industry is again poised for growth in the upcoming year.”
The Work Truck Show 2013 featured more than 120 products with vans and fuel-saving technologies receiving the most attention.
Commercial vans were shown by Chevrolet & GMC Commercial Truck, Daimler Vans USA LLC, Ford Commercial Truck, Nissan North America and Ram Trucks & Commercial Vehicles. Dozens of companies featured “green technology,” including alternative fuels and technologies to improve commercial vehicle fuel efficiency. For example, Allison Transmission introduced a new hybrid transmission, ECHO Automotive unveiled its EchoDrive bolt-on hybrid electric kit for fleet vehicles, eNow Inc. introduced solar panels for trucks, Green Alternative Systems and ROUSH CleanTech debuted a propane-powered Ford F-550 chassis cab, and SmartDrive Systems showed its enhanced SmartDrive Fuel program.
The Work Truck Show 2014 returns to the Indiana Convention Center March 5−7, 2014, with educational programming and the Green Truck Summit kicking off March 4. Online registration opens at www.NTEA.com in October.
