Attracts over 220 exhibitors
More than 220 exhibitors presented their innovations and latest products at the international commercial vehicle trade fair COMTRANS 2015 held in Moscow from September 8 to 12, 2015. The organizers counted more than 16,000 visitors. As a result, COMTRANS remains the leading commercial vehicle trade fair for Eastern Europe.
COMTRANS 2015 has once again demonstrated its position as the leading trade fair for decision makers in the commercial vehicle and transport industry in Eastern Europe. Over 220 exhibitors from around the world presented innovations and current products at the Crocus Expo Center in Moscow. In addition to all the Russian and Western European truck manufacturers, the world’s leading transporter, bus and trailer manufacturers as well as many renowned suppliers and component manufacturers were also represented at the show.
More than 16,000 visitors came to the exhibition halls on the outskirts of Moscow. This is less than in the record year of 2013. The Trade Fair Director Sergey Rybchak of the exhibition organizer ITEMF Expo was still pleased with the results, though: “Despite the current significant depreciation of the commercial vehicle market in Russia, there was a lot of interest on the part of the trade fair visitors. This, together with the numerous premieres and newcomers, proves that COMTRANS continues to be the second most important international commercial vehicle fair, after IAA Commercial Vehicles.” COMTRANS takes place every two years, alternating with IAA Commercial Vehicles.
Despite the currently difficult market condition in Russia, the international exhibitors showed a particularly strong presence. “In the medium term, the Western European as well as the Asian commercial vehicle manufacturers and suppliers are continuing to see a great potential for their products in Eastern Europe, and they emphasize this with their participation in COMTRANS”, said Peter Bergleiter, Managing Director of IMAG – Internationaler Messe- und Ausstellungsdienst GmbH, the international partner of the trade fair organizer ITEMF Expo. The subsidiary of Messe München has nearly 70 years of experience in organizing international trade fairs, and it already participated for the fourth time in organizing COMTRANS.
Future projects and new series
Many exhibitors took COMTRANS 2015 as a platform for their world premieres or initial presentations of their products at a Russian exhibition.
World premieres were celebrated in particular by the Russian manufacturers of trucks, buses and vans. For example, Kamaz attracted special attention with its spectacular cab study “Transformer”. The cabin has been developed in co-operation with Torino Design from Italy. Based on the existing cab series, the study intends to identify new concepts for truck drivers’ work environments. The cockpit has a futuristic design and the latest technologies, with touchscreens and digital instruments. Cameras instead of mirrors provide a panoramic view without blind spots and the driver’s seat is equipped with a novel electromagnetic suspension system, which is designed to reduce vibration by 90 per cent.
There are also completely new ideas for the living area: A fold-out kitchen with a stove, sink and microwave oven is also on board, along with a shower that folds together to save space and that can be stowed in the rear wall. There is even a treadmill integrated into the floor, for exercising. Kamaz will begin series production of the cabin in 2020.
News from the world of buses
In addition to the truck and van manufacturers, numerous bus manufacturers also took advantage of COMTRANS 2015 for the presentation of their new models and their current model ranges. Primarily, the domestic brands scored points with innovations. For example, VOLGABUS presented its new model 528 512 CNG Serpentine, a gas-powered bus which was primarily designed for regional intercity traffic. The CNG drive with gas tanks on the front roof are intended to allow for a range of up to 500 km, thereby reducing fuel costs annually by the equivalent of more than 10,000 euros.