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Scania to miss Brisbane Truck Show

Scania says timing the issue as show organisers state demand for main floor space remains high

 

Scania will be missing from next year’s Brisbane Truck Show (BTS), marking it as the second Swedish-headquartered truckmaker to bow out after Volvo.

However, Scania is not pointing the blame at the COVID-19 pandemic for its non-attendance at the event.

“Scania has continuously exhibited in Brisbane for more than 30 years, transitioning seamlessly with the move from the showgrounds to the BCEC in 2009,” says Dean Dal Santo, director of truck sales for Scania Australia.

“However for 2021 the timing of the show doesn’t fit with some other exciting activities we have planned for the Australian market later in the year. We nevertheless wish the show well for 2021.

“Our decision is unrelated to the impact of COVID-19 on the Australian market. In fact Scania Australia has striven successfully to maintain a ‘business as usual’ posture towards our customers throughout 2020, bolstering sales and service functions and protecting customer uptime via our nationwide company-owned branches and network of authorised independent dealers.

“We have continued a dialogue with our customers throughout the pandemic, and maintained a strong order and delivery profile, as well as growing our service support function during 2020.

“As we look into 2021, we continue to see excellent business opportunities opening up and we have determined to focus our attentions on these.

“By maintaining a flexible and responsive stance, we aim to meet the needs of all our customers throughout the year, providing them with more of the highly-efficient, low emission, safe and productive vehicles and aftermarket services they need to be able to deliver for their customers,” Dal Santo says.

“Through 2021 we plan to maintain a high level of communication with our customers and prospects, as we roll out our many innovations in the latter part of the year,” Dal Santo said.


Scania releases new Euro 6 V8 engine and gearboxes. Click here


However, BTS organiser Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) is taking the move in its stride, seeing it as a global issue rather than an Australian one.

“We are of course disappointed to hear from any exhibitor that they are not in a position to attend the show,” HVIA chief executive Todd Hacking says.

“This year has been very testing for businesses across the world and in some cases that has proven to impact stock availability and new product timelines.

“However, in other cases it is quite the opposite. In fact, we still have a waiting list for space on the main floor of the 2021 Brisbane Truck Show.

“Our members and other exhibitors can’t wait for the show to get here so they can get back in front of customers and other prospects.

“Most people’s fears have largely been alleviated with state borders progressively being opened on the back of Victoria’s long but successful lockdown.

“Queensland has shown it is ready to host large events again with the success of the AFL finals series, and businesses across the city have adjusted to welcome our attendees in a safe manner.

“Not only that, the space that had become vacant outside the show at South Bank and across Brisbane CBD is in great demand.

“The new Civil Construction Field Days have really been received well with CCFQ’s phone running hot from day one with enquiries about participating in the new heavy equipment and machinery show.

“So yes, we will miss any exhibitor that cannot be part of the 2021 Brisbane Truck Show, but the industry is going to come together regardless, and we will be ready to ensure that every visitor has a great, and safe, experience when they do,” Hacking says. 

 

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