Brisbane’s Deputy Mayor Krista Adams officially launches 2023 Australian Heavy Vehicle Industry Week at special industry event held in Brisbane’s South Bank Parklands today
This year’s Australian Heavy Vehicle Industry Week (AHVIW) officially launched at South Bank in Brisbane today, unveiling the country’s biggest-ever program of heavy vehicle events and activities and the largest display of zero-emissions vehicles in the southern hemisphere.
The initiative is facilitated by industry body Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA), owner and organiser of the Brisbane Truck Show, which is recognised as the largest automotive business event in the southern hemisphere.
Speaking at the event, HVIA Chief Executive Todd Hacking says this year’s AHVIW will be the biggest and the most innovative heavy vehicle events program to be delivered in Australia to date.
“We are incredibly excited to announce the launch of this year’s program. It is a tremendous honour and thrill to host Queensland’s biggest business-to-business event, which is expected to contribute $40 million to Queensland’s economy,” he says.
“In particular, I would like to acknowledge the tremendous assistance and support we receive from the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council who work with us to deliver this world-leading industry event.
“With an extraordinary program of informative, interactive and educational activities we expect 40,000 attendees to the Brisbane Truck Show over four days, helping to book out over 70,000 hotel room nights across the city.
“The strength of our country’s vital heavy manufacturing sector will proudly be on show for all the world to see.
“Capital equipment purchases at the event and flow on business transactions are expected to reach the hundreds of millions of dollars.”
A key focus for this year’s program is sustainability and environmentally friendly transport, Hacking adds.
“We will feature the future of heavy vehicle technology including the largest display of zero-emissions vehicles in the southern hemisphere including hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric vehicles, hybrids, renewable diesel and much more,” he says.
“We invite every Queenslander and visitor to the state to come and see it for themselves along with a huge program of free entertainment, here in South Bank.”
Attending the launch was Martin Merrick, President of Volvo Group Australia (VGA), which is this year celebrating 50 years of Australian manufacturing in Wacol. It is using the Brisbane Truck Show to expand customer knowledge about its new Volvo EV trucks which will be made in Brisbane from 2025.
“It is no secret that we are on a zero-emissions journey both globally and locally,” he says.
“By 2030, at least 30 per cent of the new trucks we sell globally will be either electric or utilizing a zero-emissions power source. We intend for that figure to rise to 100 per cent by 2040.
“Electric trucks will bring lower running costs, lower emissions, and more choice for trucking operators. But most importantly, they make our cities and urban environment a better place to live and work.
“We are expanding our electric offering with a view to manufacturing heavy electric vehicles right here in Brisbane by 2027.”
Running from May 15 to May 21, Australian Heavy Vehicle Industry Week 2023 activities encompass the Brisbane Truck Show (BCEC), the South Bank Truck Festival (South Bank Parklands), the Heavy Equipment and Machinery Show (RNA Showgrounds), and the Heritage Truck Show (Rocklea Showgrounds).
“The heavy vehicle industry has shown incredible resilience and tenacity over the last few years, helping to keep the country moving through drought, bushfires and the pandemic,” Hacking says.
“Our ability to support the largest accelerated increase in online shopping in the world’s history is testament to the sector’s character, agility and capacity to scale and deliver in the face of extraordinary challenges.
“This year we celebrate our achievements as an industry and also demonstrate our commitment to, and embrace of, innovative, sustainable and environmentally friendly transport technology.
“We have also partnered with industry and mental and well-being charity, Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds, to support the mental health of our greatest asset, our people.”
Deputy Mayor Krista Adams says the Brisbane Truck Show is a major business and tourism drawcard for the city.
“Brisbane City Council is a proud supporter of this event, which has grown to become a highlight on the city’s jam-packed events calendar,” she says.
“Brisbane is a vital hub for road transport and the logistics industry, which supports thousands of jobs for locals.
“The Brisbane Truck Show will also be a massive boost for the events industry, attracting 40,000 people to the city thanks to an exciting line-up, including free and affordable events for the whole family.”
