Tradies Expo tours country

Utes, vans and light trucks are today all potential tools for modern owner-operators.

The only common theme is these vehicles are expected to carry their weight as a commercial vehicle during the week and then carry the family in comfort on a weekend. It's a booming market and one of the reasons seven carmakers will be displaying their vehicles at the National Tradies Expo, which tours the country from this month.

Expo spokeswoman Marine Cousins says the common link among the carmakers is they all see tradies as a major market. "It is a segment they've all identified as a growth area," she says. Nissan's Navara has the headline billing but the range runs from Great Wall's entry level utes all the way to Iveco small trucks and Fiat vans.

The resurgent Ssangyong is also showing its Actyon Sports dual-cab ute and the Korando SUV. Both of the South Korean-built vehicles have benefitted from a style overhaul that lifts their looks to match their performance. Ssangyong is touting the Actyon Sports' fuel efficiency credentials, with the 2.0-litre turbodiesel using from just 7.3 litres/100km.

Fiat's commercial vehicle sales manager Mark Griffiths says commercial vehicles are also starting to find favour. "Every year we are seeing more tradies purchase vans over utes as they offer a better form of security for their tools of trade," Griffiths says.

Renault's Emily Ambrosy agrees and says the French-based carmaker is looking to reproduce its European success Down Under with its Kangoo, Trafic and Master vans. "Renault has been No. 1 in light commercial vehicles in Europe for the past 14 years and we feel we have fantastic opportunities to grow in the Australian market," she says. "This is an incredibly important market for us and it is currently a missed opportunity . we need to bring our product to the people and talk directly to our customers and the Tradies Expo gives us that chance."

National Tradies Expo
Melbourne: May 25-27
Perth: June 22-24
Brisbane: June 22-24
Sydney: June 29-July 1