Special Commemorative Magazine celebrates the most successful Brisbane Truck Show in history
All the latest trucks, trailers, parts and accessories revealed TRUCK WEEK 25 Show ‘N’ Shine headlines week-long festival of all things trucking
The unprecedented success of the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show deserves – indeed, demands –to be celebrated in all its colour and glory. Hence, our first-ever Commemorative Magazine!
WELCOME TO OUR first-ever Brisbane Truck Show Commemorative Magazine, a new (and completely unplanned) initiative prompted by the unprecedented success of the 2025 show.
In the aftermath of what was universally lauded as the best-ever edition in the show’s storied 58-year history, we determined this landmark event deserved – indeed, demanded – to be celebrated in all its colour and glory.
Not only did the 2025 show draw a record 54,790 attendees, smashing the previous high of 42,855 set in 2023, it also earned plaudits for the sheer quality of the event, from the design and layout of the venue, to the seamless ticketing, to the exceptionally high standard of exhibitions (which seem to just get better every show!).
What also separated the 2025 show from previous iterations was the unbridled success of a raft of new public-facing activations across the wider South Bank precinct and beyond.
Staged under the new Truck Week banner, activations such as the Silverback Show ‘N’ Shine National Championship at Little Stanley Street, The Depot Careers Hub on the lawns of TAFE Queensland’s
South Bank campus, and the Heritage Truck Show at Rocklea added a whole new dimension to the show, expanding what started back in 1968 as an event to connect members with their customers into a true week-long festival of all things trucking.
These new initiatives not only enhanced the experience for showgoers but also played a vital role in promoting the importance (and professionalism and passion) of our much-loved industry to the wider community.
The success of the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show would not have been possible without the support of the entire transport industry, from our loyal exhibitors and passionate attendees to the amazing sponsors, suppliers and other stakeholders whose staff worked extraordinarily hard behind the scenes to bring the event together.
This Commemorative Magazine is dedicated to – and celebrates –every one of them. Until next time, we hope you enjoy the read!
Todd Hacking CEO – HVIA
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• Extends DPF maintenance period
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• Prolongs oil change interval
Let’s go further®
Showgoers flocked to bars and restaurants at the BCEC and throughout the South Bank precinct across the four-day trucking festival
Digital mapping and way-finder solution MappedIn is back for the 2025 show with a raft of enhancements
View the official show maps covering all three levels of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
Check out more than 35,000 square metres of exhibitors who are showcasing their wares at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show
Heritage Truck Show organisers improvised in the face of bad weather to deliver a record turnout of classic truck enthusiasts
The ‘Tech Tours’ provided 120 attendees with a guided walking tour of the technical highlights from exhibitors on the main floor
The Depot careers precinct delivered a hands-on, interactive, engaging and inspiring experience for school students
The 2025 show featured a greater array of parts and accessories than ever before – from supensions, axles and brakes to scales and lifts
Editor
Graham Gardiner P: 0411 722 684
E: g.gardiner@hvia.asn.au
Contributors
Cobey Bartels
Harrison Hunkin
Steve Power
DESIGN & PRODUCTION
Art Director
Andrew McLagan
Andrew McLagan Design
E: andrew@andrewmclagandesign.com
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
HVIA Marketing Manager
Vanessa Finnerty P: 07 3376 6266
E: v.finnerty@hvia.asn.au
EVENTS
National Events Manager
E: v.finnerty@hvia.asn.au
National Events Manager
EVENTS
Kay Marco P: 0409 827 185
National Events Manager
Kay Marco P: 0409 827 185
E: k.marco@hvia.asn.au
E: k.marco@hvia.asn.au
National Events – Production
Kay Marco P: 0409 827 185
National Events – Production
E: k.marco@hvia.asn.au
Noelene Bradley P: 0407 892 001
Noelene Bradley P: 0407 892 001
National Events – Production
E: n.bradley@hvia.asn.au
E: n.bradley@hvia.asn.au
National Events Coordinator
Noelene Bradley P: 0407 892 001
National Events Coordinator
E: n.bradley@hvia.asn.au
Jenny Wilson P: 0493 994 094
National Events Coordinator
Jenny Wilson P: 0493 994 094
E: j.wilson@hvia.asn.au
Jenny Wilson P: 0493 994 094
E: j.wilson@hvia.asn.au
CORPORATE
CORPORATE
HVIA CEO
E: j.wilson@hvia.asn.au
HVIA CEO
CORPORATE
Todd Hacking P: 0438 066 441
Todd Hacking P: 0438 066 441
HVIA CEO
E: t.hacking@hvia.asn.au
E: t.hacking@hvia.asn.au
HVIA Board Of Directors
Todd Hacking P: 0438 066 441
HVIA Board Of Directors
John Drake – President
E: t.hacking@hvia.asn.au
John Drake – President
Miles Crawford – Vice President
HVIA Board Of Directors
Miles Crawford – Vice President
Tony Clark – Director
John Drake – President
Tony Clark – Director
Rod Cunningham – Director
Miles Crawford – Vice President
Rod Cunningham – Director
Craig Lee – Director
Craig Lee – Director
Shay Chalmers – Director
Roy Lombardi – Director
Tony Clark – Director
Rob Smedley – Director
Roy Lombardi – Director
Rod Cunningham – Director
Daniel Whitehead – Director
Rob Smedley – Director
Heather Bone – Director
Daniel Whitehead – Director
Shay Chalmers – Director
Craig Lee – Director
Heather Bone – Director
Shay Chalmers – Director
Roy Lombardi – Director
Heather Bone – Director
Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia
Rob Smedley – Director
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Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia
Daniel Whitehead – Director
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Seventeen Mile Rocks
Seventeen Mile Rocks
Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia
Queensland 4073
Queensland 4073
2/115 Bluestone Circuit
P: 07 3376 6266
Seventeen Mile Rocks
P: 07 3376 6266
E: hvia@hvia.asn.au
Queensland 4073
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W: www.hvia.asn.au
P: 07 3376 6266
W: www.hvia.asn.au
PRINTING
E: hvia@hvia.asn.au
PRINTING
W: www.hvia.asn.au
IVE Group
IVE Group
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A record 35,000 square metres of exhibitions of the latest trucks, trailers, parts and accessories – coupled with a raft of new activations under the Truck Week banner – has seen the 2025 Truck Show lauded as the best ever
story Graham Gardiner images Alastair Brook and Daniel Neucom
HE BRISBANE TRUCK Show has cemented its status as Australia’s largest industry exhibition and the biggest truck show in the Southern Hemisphere, with the 2025 event attracting a record-breaking 54,790 attendees, smashing the previous high of 42,855 set in 2023.
Notably, the all-time-high attendance was underpinned by record numbers of industry decision makers on Thursday (13,865) and Friday (15,551). Saturday recorded the biggest single day in the show’s 58-year history with an incredible 17,404 attendees through the doors.
Todd Hacking, Chief Executive of show organiser HVIA, says the amazing result confirms the show’s standing as a truly world-class event.
And what an event it was!
The 2025 show featured over 35,000 square metres of exhibitions of the latest trucks, trailers, parts and accessories, and related technologies across all three levels of the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, many of which we showcase across the pages of this –our very first – post-show Commemorative Magazine.
Beyond the main venue, the all-new Truck Week 25 extended the show into an immensely successful week-long festival of all things trucking.
Undoubtedly the highlight was the inaugural Silverback National Show ‘N’ Shine at Little Stanley Street which not only showcased 28 of Australia’s best custom trucks but also the passion and professionalism of their owners and the trucking industry to both show attendees and the public.
Not to be outdone, another new Truck Week 25 activation, The Depot, held on the lawns of TAFE Queensland’s South Bank campus, delivered on its promise – and then some, creating an inspiring,
“ The 2025 show featured over 35,000 square metres of exhibitions of the latest trucks, trailers, parts and accessories, and related technologies across all three levels of the BCEC.”
engaging and entertaining experience for school students.
Over 1,000 students visited The Depot during the first two mornings of the show, and a further 2,500 attendees – including families and Brisbane Truck Show visitors – joined in the fun across the week.
Rounding out Truck Week 25’s raft of activations, a record 4,500 truck aficionados rolled in through the doors of the Heritage Truck Association Australia’s annual Heritage Truck Show at the nearby Rocklea Showgrounds to check out an awesome lineup of 200-plus beautifully restored rare and classic trucks on display.
“What started back in 1968 as an event to connect members with their customers has become much more than that – a week-long festival of all things trucking,” Todd Hacking says.
“Undoubtedly the highlight was the inaugural Silverback National Show ‘N’ Shine at Little Stanley Street which showcased 28 of Australia’s best customised trucks.”
“Amazingly, it now ranks as Australia’s largest industry exhibition and there are so many other events that run alongside the Truck Show that make it a compelling opportunity for everyone to get together in Brisbane every two years – as evidenced by this year’s eye-popping attendance.”
The show’s success, Hacking adds, is underpinned
The 2025 show offered something for everyone, from diehard trucking enthusiasts, to school children and even families and little kids
The Brisbane Truck Show now ranks as Australia’s largest industry exhibition, attracting the support of key industry and government stakeholders
by the huge support from the entire transport industry, from the loyal exhibitors and passionate attendees to the amazing sponsors, suppliers and other stakeholders whose staff worked extraordinarily hard behind the scenes to bring the event together.
In particular, the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show was made possible with the support of Platinum Partner NTI, Diamond Partners Caltex Australia and trucksales.com.au, Gold Partners BP Australia, Geotab, Wurth Australia and Truckline, Charity Partner Healthy Heads In Trucks & Sheds, and Truck Week 25 Partners the Queensland Government, Tourism & Events Queensland, and the Brisbane Economic Development Agency.
“That said, the true heroes in my eyes are the incredible staff of Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia. All of them put their lives on hold for the betterment of the industry,” he says.
“The objectives of the event are to improve safety
“ What started back in 1968 as an event to connect members with their customers has become much more than that – a week-long festival of all things trucking.”
outcomes, better industry perception, foster skills development and workforce participation, link peers and create new technology and innovation, and bring people together. The 2025 Brisbane Truck Show delivered on all these objectives – and then some.
“I couldn’t be prouder of every team member. But now we have to put that into action, so it is back to work on the important task of representing and advocating for the industry we love.”
Since it was founded back in 1968, the Brisbane Truck Show has expanded into a week-long festival of all things trucking!
Staging Australia’s largest industry exhibition is a herculean task which, incredibly, is pulled off by a small team of HVIA staff and partners
HE PLANNING and logistics (and sheer hard work) behind Australia’s largest industry exhibition and the biggest truck show in the Southern Hemisphere is truly staggering.
With more than 35,000 square metres of exhibitors filling every nook and cranny of the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, the Brisbane Truck Show is not only the largest event held at the venue, but the most complex.
This is no gift fair that’s for sure! Planning and executing the bump in of almost 300 exhibitors and an array of overmass, overweight and oversize freight – including 94 trucks, 75 trailers and 14 dollies – into a constrained inner-city convention centre is a truly unique logistical challenge.
Not surprisingly, therefore, long before the doors open, the HVIA events team – comprising National Events Manager Kay Marco, National Events (Production) Manager Noelene Bradley and National Events Coordinator Jenny Wilson – spend near-on 12 months plotting, preparing and scheduling every element of the show, from signing up exhibitors, allocating stand locations and approving stand designs, to working with key partners to manage the massive task involved in the actual show build, including bump in and bump out.
The numbers are mind-boggling! On top of the hundreds of movements of trucks and trailers entering the show venue on the Sunday night and Monday morning ahead of opening day, logistics partner GEL Event Logistics has the job of coordinating the arrival of 13 semi-trailer loads and one pallet truck load of gear from other exhibitors.
“ With more than 35,000sqm of exhibitors filling every nook and cranny of the centre, the Brisbane Truck Show is not only the largest event held at the venue, but the most complex.”
“ This is no gift fair! Planning and executing the bump in of almost 300 exhibitors – including 94 trucks and 75 trailers – into a constrained inner-city convention centre is a truly unique logistical challenge!”
Then there’s the equally challenging task of moving all the stuff into place across the venue’s three levels –made doubly challenging this year due to the centre’s main goods lift being out of action!
Amid this highly organised (and safe) chaos, 55 staff of key show partner Moreton Hire are busy with the job of building out the show, from laying down an incredible 8,634 carpet tiles to constructing an eyepopping 5,196 square metres of modular stand space.
Meanwhile, rigging, lighting and staging specialist Clifton Productions is hard at work installing over 600 lighting fixtures and more than 2,000 metres of trusses and some 340 rigged points from which to suspend a staggering 56 tonnes of equipment from the centre’s roof.
All in all, the build takes almost a week in readiness for the doors to open on the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show on Thursday morning.
Bumping in almost 300 exhibitors and an array of overmass, overweight and oversize freight – including 94 trucks – into a constrained inner-city convention centre is a unique logistical challenge
Incredibly, running in parallel were equally complex builds of major activations outside the centre, including the Silverback Show ‘N’ Shine National Championship at South Bank Parklands and The Depot careers hub on the lawns of TAFE Queensland’s South Bank campus – all also managed internally by HVIA’s small but exceedingly passionate team.
And once it’s all done and dusted – and the last of the 54,790 show-goers have left the building after the doors closed at 2:00pm on Sunday – the equally arduous task of bumping out begins.
Incredibly, just two days – and eight semi-trailers and seven pallet trucks – later, the centre is cleared and cleaned ready for the next show to begin!
“Rigging specialist Clifton Productions install more than 2,000 metres of trusses and some 340 rigged points from which to suspend a staggering 56 tonnes of equipment from the centre’s roof.”
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It was clear at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show that the 130-year-old diesel engine still rules Australian highways, but through the magic of modern engineering and precise manufacturing, it’ll be cleaner than ever before
WATCH THE VIDEO
HE 2025 B RISBANE Truck Show set a new standard for Australia’s booming transport industry, with the biggest showing of internal combustion engine trucks in the Southern Hemisphere and record crowds to match.
An incredible array of trucks were on display, with more than 20 major manufacturers rolling in for what was a truly world-class event. In fact, the 54,000-plus attendees were hard-pressed getting to every stand –there were that many!
While the 2023 show was all about electric and hydrogen models, this year’s show saw a strong return to diesel propulsion on the stands, as manufacturers showcased their latest Euro 6 creations ahead of the ADR 80/40 emissions update in November.
So, the 130-year-old diesel engine still rules Australian highways, but through the magic of modern engineering and precise manufacturing, it’ll be cleaner than ever before. This year’s event even showcased the latest aerodynamic, biofuel and renewable diesel innovations, further enhancing internal combustion engine trucks as Australia pursues a greener future.
In case you missed it, or if you simply want to relive the spectacle, here are the top trucks from the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show…
Kenworth’s stand is always a hit at the show, as crowds flock to see the latest and greatest from the iconic brand – from chromed-up K220s to Legend Series T909s.
The ‘KW’ badge is synonymous with tough-looking trucks that pay homage to the classic design the brand is famous for, with the Cummins – and now PACCAR – grunt to match, but what does the future look like for the powerhouse truck maker?
Looking to a greener future, Kenworth used this year’s show to unveil its new-generation Euro 6 widecab models to hordes of loyal fans, with the new T320, T420, T620 and T620SAR rolled out for the first time in Australia.
For the new models, Kenworth has taken its proven formula and enhanced it, offering modern technology, efficient Euro 6 powertrains and exceptional standard safety features across the lineup.
“Kenworth engineers spent countless hours with customers, gathering their insights.”
“Kenworth engineers spent countless hours with customers, gathering their insights,” says PACCAR Australia Director Sales and Marketing, Michael Long.
“The feedback was clear: the existing models were excellent, but there was room for improvement. Those implemented enhancements and refinements have culminated in the new-generation series.”
The updated range uses a mix of Euro 6 engines, with larger models scoring the latest Cummins X15 with ratings of up to 625hp, while compact models use the smaller PACCAR MX-13 available with up to 510hp.
Alongside the standard inclusion of Kenworth’s latest safety systems, all of the new models will benefit from the PACCAR Connect telematics solution, putting performance data at the fingertips of operators.
DAF rolled into the Brisbane Truck Show in style, sitting alongside PACCAR stablemate Kenworth as it showcased its latest-generation XG range.
Produced in Melbourne for the toughest Australian conditions, the XG and XG+ apply the local treatment to the Dutch manufacturer’s flagship cabover models,
Kenworth unveiled its new-generation Euro 6 wide-cab T320, T420, T620 and T620SAR models alongside chromed-up K220s and Legend Series T909s
featuring the Euro 6 PACCAR PX-15 engine producing 660hp at 1,800rpm and 3,200Nm between 900rpm and 1,400rpm.
PACCAR co-developed the PX-15 with Cummins, starting with a proven X15 and tweaking it to make even more power while remaining efficient through the use of higher cylinder pressures.
The mighty PX-15 is mated to a ZF TraXon 16-speed automated gearbox, calibrated for high-productivity use and next-generation efficiency in the new XG range.
DAF also had its current CF450 and CF530 models on the stand, and the manufacturer even premiered its new 19-tonne rated DAF XB Electric which is currently being trialled in Australia.
The medium-duty XB Electric offers a glimpse into the future for the brand, featuring either a 120kW or 190kW electric motor, fed by battery packs ranging from 141kWh to 282kWh, with a real-world range of up to 350km.
DAF outlined its intentions for the XB Electric, which is suited to urban and regional distribution work, with GVMs starting at 12,000kg and stretching all the way up to 19,000kg.
While its 350km range is down on a diesel equivalent, DC fast-charging functionality will allow operators to charge the XB from 20 to 80 percent in as little as 40 minutes – perfect for a lunch break top-up.
It’s been a huge year for Isuzu Trucks, with the brand unveiling its all-new range after an incredibly successful 17-year run for the current lineup, and the show offered the first public taste of the new models.
Isuzu has topped the light-duty sales ladder for an incredible 36 years, so the new models have big boots to fill, but based on the public attention at the show they’re off to a strong start.
The Japanese manufacturer premiered 11 models on its stand, from the light-duty N Series to the heavyduty F Series, carefully selected from the expansive new range that includes no fewer than 133 unique variants.
At the heart of the all-new Isuzu models is a lineup of Euro 6 powertrains and new transmission options, in line with the incoming ADR 80/40 changes later this year.
The N Series models receive updated threeand 5.2-litre four-cylinder engines and the choice of an all-new nine-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that promises quicker shifts and improved efficiency.
Isuzu premiered 11 models on its stand, from the light-duty N Series to the heavy-duty F Series, featuring Euro 6 powertrains and new transmission options
Meanwhile, the heavy-duty F Series scores a new six-cylinder 6.7-litre Euro 6 engine that Isuzu and Cummins co-developed, which utilises an Allison Gen 6 six-speed automatic transmission.
Isuzu’s new range features significant safety and technology upgrades, with 15 active and passive safety features on the N Series and between 12 and 17 on the F Series (depending on the model), aimed at keeping drivers and other road users safe.
Alongside the safety updates are visual tweaks and a new interior that offers a more car-like driving experience, laden with new-age technology like a central 10.1-inch infotainment screen and seveninch digital display between the speedometer and tachometer.
“From the moment the show opened, there was a stream of people coming into the main hall and I’ve never seen it that busy,” says Isuzu Trucks Head of Product Management and Commercial Vehicles Chief Engineer, Simon Humphries.
“We had a big stage with a massive video screen behind it, with some seats and standing room, and when we did a presentation giving an overview of the new models there were at least 150 people on the stand. I was blown away by the level of engagement and the thirst to know more about the new model range – it was just fantastic.”
“I was blown away by the level of engagement and the thirst to know more about the new model range – it was just fantastic.”
T UCKED AWAY ON the Isuzu stand was its all-electric NPR 75-200 model that offers a real-world range of around 200km.
Unlike the little 3,500kg GVM electric N Series the truck maker displayed in 2023, the NPR model features a 7,500kg GVM and 100kWh of battery power, making it suitable for Australia’s payload-hungry light-duty freight task.
The model is currently being trialled in Australia, and Isuzu has confirmed it has plans to introduce additional electric variants for testing in the near future.
“We continue to work on a battery electric vehicle or ‘BEV’ solution for urban and last-mile logistics applications. This has been a keen focus within IAL for some years now,” says Isuzu Australia Limited Chief of Product and Executive Officer, Matt Sakhaie.
“Our two initial N Series trial vehicles have been performing very well over the past year and we’re about to introduce additional units into our Australian trials.”
While launch timing is yet to be confirmed, Isuzu Trucks Head of Product Management and Commercial Vehicles Chief Engineer, Simon Humphries, says the electric models are likely to become available once a UK model is put into production.
“The reality is we’re waiting for the European version of this specification to launch in the UK, because as you can imagine…the UK spec is pretty much identical to what we need for Australia,”
“As soon as that’s available, we’ll be able to get an Australian version. Obviously, they’re prioritising Europe because there are a lot of government incentives and mandates over there, more so than in Australia.”
“To see how far the Truck Show has grown, from the RNA Showground days, both from a professionalism and attendance stance, it’s absolutely fantastic for the industry.”
Western Star wowed crowds with the release of its X Series at the 2023 show, and this year it rolled out its latest 130-tonne GCM 48X flagship featuring an enormous 60-inch sleeper – showcasing its top-spec highway king.
Alongside the roadtrain-ready 48X was the brand’s B-double configured 47X and another 48X with a smaller 36-inch sleeper.
The Western Star models on display sat alongside a Porsche 963 Le Mans racecar owned by Penske’s motorsport division, reminding punters that the company is backed by one of the world’s leading motorsport figures – Roger Penske.
Western Star also used this year’s show to launch its ‘Star Nation’ initiative, which aims to bring together owners and fans of the brands on social media by encouraging them to share photos of their trucks using the #StarNationANZ hashtag.
“The 48X was out the front and it garnered a lot of attention, it grabbed people as they were walking down the aisle, and I was really proud of that truck,” says Western Star Product Manager, Doug Shand.
“It was another great Brisbane Truck Show. They always put on a quality event and continue to add to it – we really enjoyed it.”
MAN displayed its latest innovations at this year’s
show, with the TGX Individual Lion S taking centre stage on the Penske stand for its first public outing in Australia.
The Lion S features aggressive styling that includes carbon trim and red ascents, somewhat matching the cutting-edge Porsche racecar displayed on the stand, offering a taste of what MAN’s design team is capable of.
MAN also rolled out other popular models including a TGX 26.540 and TGS 26.540, showing off its wide range of Euro 6 models that cover off a diverse array of freight tasks.
“Any time we can engage with customers and celebrate our partnerships with them, and not only them but their families and kids too, that makes for memorable moments and the Truck Show allows us to share those experiences,” says Head of MAN Truck & Bus at Penske Australia, Derek Schroff.
“To see how far the Truck Show has grown, from the RNA Showground days, both from a professionalism and attendance stance, it’s absolutely fantastic for the industry.”
Swedish powerhouse Scania made a bold return to the Brisbane Truck Show, bringing three of its most popular prime movers while reminding the industry that the mighty V8 is still alive and ready to sing its song into the Euro 6 future.
“It was definitely busy, with all sorts of people coming through the stand, from people wanting to know about the product in the longer term to those wanting to buy one now.”
Front and centre on the Scania stand was its flagship 770 S model, powered by the brand’s revered 16.4-litre V8 and ready for the heaviest of applications with 770hp on tap – and it drew quite the crowd.
“Obviously we’re extremely passionate and extremely proud to be the only manufacturer that offers a V8,” says Scania Sales Director, Ben Nye.
“That’s become a part of our brand and it’s become who we are, and it’s such a great engine. Not only is it incredibly smooth, but from the heart, and not so much the brain, it makes you smile every time you start it up.”
Alongside the mighty V8 model sat Scania’s versatile P 500 prime mover, with a distinctive low-entry cab and high-torque nine-litre engine making it suitable for everything from single-trailer to B-double work.
“It’s a two-step entry truck and it’s quite unusual to have such a small cab with 500hp,” says Nye.
“You can run it in your fleet as a premium singletrailer truck, but then if one of the big trucks goes down you can put a set of B-double trailers behind it, because it’s got 2,650Nm and it can go out and perform very well.”
Lastly, Scania showed off its popular G 560, powered by its latest 13-litre SUPER engine, producing 560hp/2,800Nm while offering significant fuel savings.
According to Nye, the G 560 is the brand’s do-it-all
model, suitable for just about any application – from single-trailer to A-double use. He says customers have achieved up to 14 per cent better fuel use than Scania expected when it tested the model.
Mercedes-Benz drew strong crowds at the enormous Daimler Truck stand as it revealed its futuristic ProCabin, which uses advanced aerodynamics to achieve a three-percent fuel saving when coupled with the brand’s efficient Euro 6 engines.
The ProCabin revolutionises traditional cab design, engineered from the ground up for aerodynamic efficiency and reduced drag. This is achieved through the use of a sleek profile, wind-deflecting flaps and the absence of air gaps.
Mercedes-Benz is trialling the ProCabin with Australian customers, with plans to roll it out for Actros models as a replacement for the 2.5 StreamSpace and GigaSpace cabins.
“The public response was overwhelmingly positive and the amount of interest on our stand was huge,” says Daimler Truck Australia Pacific Vice President Sales, Marketing and Operations, Andrew Assimo.
“We’re thrilled we could bring a lot of new innovation to the market across all of our brands, and to be able to showcase that at the Truck Show.”
MERCEDES-BENZ TRUCKS also had its full range of zero-emission trucks on display at the show. The truck maker had its eActros and eEconic models on show, alongside the futuristic ProCabin that offered an up-close look at what is likely the most aerodynamic truck cabin ever produced.
“While our battery electric portfolio continues to expand and grow, we’ve now got 22 models available and there was a lot of interest in understanding that,” Daimler Truck Australia Pacific Vice President Sales, Marketing and Operations, Andrew Assimo, says.
“We also had some brand-new electric models on display for the first time, like the eEconic 6x2 waste-targeted vehicle, the 6x2 eActros which is more of a general application vehicle, and a 4x2 eActros prime mover.
“The discussion was really about us being a fully-integrated electric vehicle solution with the unique e-axle, so we’re not adapting drivetrains – we’ve got a dedicated e-axle vehicle which provides outstanding operational benefits and range capability.”
Freightliner
Daimler Truck’s highly popular American brand, Freightliner, honoured its long history, dating back to 1942, while also looking to a clean future at this year’s show, rolling out its next-generation Cascadia alongside a special-edition heritage version of the current model.
The new model – displayed in camouflage form –gave customers an up-close look at the aerodynamic cabin, powertrain tweaks and improved technology like dual-stage LED headlights.
Meanwhile, the striking heritage Cascadia model features a blacked-out style treatment that includes the wheels, bumper, tanks and guards, while inside the seats score special embroidery, in a tough-looking package that pays homage to the American brand’s rich history.
“The Cascadia is the epitome of a future-focussed conventional truck, using advanced technology, fuel efficiency and safety features that had been missing from the class prior to its arrival.
“However, the Freightliner brand also has an amazing heritage, so it’s only fitting that we give a nod
to its past with this amazing special-edition package,” Assimo says.
Japanese manufacturer Fuso, which also falls under the Daimler banner, unveiled its new Shogun 530 model at the 2025 show. Based on the existing Shogun model, the new 530 variant is now the most powerful Japanese truck in Australia with increased outputs of 530hp/2,600Nm from its 13-litre engine.
With the added power comes an increased 70-tonne GCM rating, up from 63 tonnes, making the Shogun 530 a seriously capable heavy-duty contender.
The model also benefits from a revised cabin design that features new seats, infotainment upgrades, and a full suite of safety technology that uses five radars and a forward-facing camera to keep drivers safe.
“The existing Shogun has been extremely popular in Australia, but we listened to our customers and took the opportunity to introduce upgrades that would make it even better again,” says Daimler Truck Australia Pacific President and CEO, Daniel Whitehead.
“I have never heard anyone complain about having
“ The Freightliner brand also has an amazing heritage, so it’s only fitting that we give a nod to its past with this amazing special-edition package.”
too much power; we know our customers are going to love this amazing truck.”
Iveco rolled into the show with an impressive array of heavy metal, including its eye-catching Metallicabranded S-Way that will be used to support the iconic band during the Australian leg of its global tour.
Alongside the rock-and-roll rig was a 50th anniversary S-Way, branded up to celebrate the truck maker’s half-a-century innings since its humble beginnings in Italy back in 1975.
It didn’t stop there for Iveco, though, with the company also rolling out its facelifted mediumduty Eurocargo ML140, bringing a redesigned cabin, advanced driver systems and additional technology to the proven Euro 6 model.
Iveco showed off its all-electric eDaily van at the last show, but the zero-emission model is now available in Australia and it’s proving successful with leading Australian fleets.
The truck maker had its latest eDaily 42S on the stand, offering 12 cubic metres of storage and
Volvo Trucks thundered in to the show with its mighty FH16 XXL – now the most powerful truck in the world; while stablemate Mack Trucks revealed its highly-anticipated new Super-Liner model
more than 300km of driving range. Now available for purchase in Australia, the eDaily 42S features an electric motor producing 140kW/400Nm, underpinned by two batteries totalling 77kWh – with the option of a larger 156kWh battery setup for an increased 300km of range.
“We find that the EV vehicles get a lot of interest, but of course they involve a significant investment in the vehicle as well as the infrastructure,” says Iveco Australia Head of Customer and Innovation, Andrew Winbank.
“Our EV range has a payload of up to 4.6 tonnes, and we’ve seen a real-world range of up to 400km, which gives us a considerable advantage.
“There were also requests about heavier electric vehicles from customers in the compactor and agitator space.”
Volvo brought the heat at this year’s Brisbane Truck Show, thundering in with its mighty FH16 XXL – now the most powerful truck in the world.
The new FH16 is equipped with the truck maker’s new 17-litre Euro 6 engine, producing an eye-watering 780hp and earth-turning 3,800Nm, making Volvo the new leader in the power stakes.
To achieve the gargantuan power output, Volvo took its proven 16-litre engine and increased the bore size to create the D17. The engine also features a new fuel injection system, low-friction cylinder liners and wave-top pistons for optimised combustion.
Volvo also showed off its new Aero cabin, which is said to reduce fuel consumption by around five per cent, available with a choice of either its 13-litre or 17-litre engine. The new Aero cab is also available with an electric driveline, offering the pinnacle in zeroemission efficiency.
“The Volvo Group stand was busy all four days…and it was a really good-quality, high-calibre of customers visiting,” says Volvo Trucks Australia Vice President, Tom Chapman.
“We did a lot of deals on the stand and celebrated a lot of recent orders with a formal signing ceremony, as well as announcing a lot of exciting partnerships like the massive Linfox order for 30 electric trucks.”
The manufacturer had an array of electric models on its stand at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show, including a show-stopping construction-focused FMX Electric carrying a Volvo L25 electric wheel loader.
According to Volvo, there are around 100 of its electric models now operating on Australian roads and the zero-emission runners have collectively amassed more than one million kilometres locally.
“ The Volvo Group stand was busy all four days… and it was a really good-quality, high-calibre of customers visiting.”
The mighty Bulldog brand celebrated 125 years of manufacturing at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show, marking the milestone with the reveal of its highlyanticipated new Super-Liner model.
Mack’s new-look Super-Liner features the monstrous Euro 6 17-litre MP11 engine, producing an identical 780hp/3,800Nm to its Volvo sibling, mated to the latest-generation mDrive transmission.
The new Super-Liner was also fitted with the brand’s 70-inch walk-through sleeper cabin, offering a hotel-on-wheels for long-haul operators that demand the very best in comfort.
Alongside the Super-Liner was Mack’s equally impressive Anthem, powered by the highly-efficient Euro 6 13-litre MP8 engine producing a stump-pulling 2,800Nm of torque from as low as 900rpm.
The engine uses advanced turbo compound technology to achieve the stout torque output, offering a significant upgrade in performance while remaining efficient.
UD celebrated its 90th anniversary this year, using the Brisbane Truck Show to showcase its rich heritage and
Volvo and Mack stablemate UD showed off the latest Quon model, rolling out a CG 26 460 8x4 tipper using the Euro 6 GH11 engine producing 460hp/2,250Nm
“The public response was overwhelmingly positive and the amount of interest on our stand was huge.”
THE FUSO e CANTER made its fourth appearance at the Brisbane Truck Show this year, showcased in its latest and most advanced form.
Fuso’s eCanter has now amassed more than eight million kilometres globally, proving itself as arguably the most advanced light-duty electric truck on the market.
With the second-generation model came a shift to an e-axle layout, which improved packaging and efficiency, doing away with the driveshaft and creating more space for batteries – resulting in a range of up to 300km.
The second-gen model is available in 14 model variants, ranging from 4,500kg up to 8,500kg GVM for heavier last-mile applications.
“For the last four shows, we’ve had an eCanter on display – so since 2017,” Daimler Truck Australia’s Andrew Assimo says.
“We’ve progressively taken that from the first viewing, to being available in the first iteration, to now the latest generation which was on display this year.”
just how far its trucks have come since its first truck –the 60hp LD1 – was born in 1939.
The truck maker showed off its latest Quon model at this year’s show, rolling out a CG 26 460 8x4 tipper that uses the Euro 6 GH11 engine producing 460hp/2,250Nm, backed by a 12-speed ESCOT-V1 automated transmission.
At the core of the Quon is its advanced safety equipment, with features like a driver alert system that monitors fatigue, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, traffic sign recognition and lane change support.
The Quon has proven itself as a versatile and dependable solution for construction and urban distribution duties, but it’s just as happy stretching its legs on Australia’s vast highways with a trailer or two behind it.
Meanwhile, UD premiered its new medium-duty Condor model off-site to a group of customers. The new model is the first to come from the Volvo Group and Isuzu Motors strategic alliance and uses the same Cummins engine as the new Isuzu F Series models. Sales will open for the new Condor from July, with more information to come closer to its launch.
Hino had its Euro 6 lineup on display at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show, offering a taste of its diesel, hybrid and electric models.
Centre stage was the Japanese brand’s popular Euro 6 300 Series Hybrid Electric range, which offers a viable bridging solution for Australian fleets looking to electrify without the range limitations or infrastructure upgrades associated with batteryelectric models.
The 300 Series Hybrid Electric returns real-world fuel savings of around 20 per cent, but uses the same diesel engine as its non-hybrid stablemates, relying on an electric motor sandwiched between the engine and gearbox to provide drive assist.
Alongside the 300 Series was a Euro 6 700 Series FY tiltray, showcasing the versatility of the brand’s heavyduty models.
While it wasn’t displayed at the Brisbane Truck Show, Hino is trialling the 700 Series Hybrid Electric in Australia with key customers.
In a nod to the future, Hino also had its pint-sized all-electric 300 Series Z-EV on display. The model is being tested locally, ahead of a likely launch this year or next if it proves suitable for Australian conditions.
“We’re excited to showcase the 300 Series Hybrid Electric and its versatility, and people were constantly crowded around the cab chassis we had on display,” Hino Australia Manager of Product Strategy, Daniel Petrovski, says.
“There have been record numbers and you can really feel it because every five seconds you’re stopping to talk to someone.
“It’s the entire industry, our customers, suppliers –it’s not just the Brisbane Truck Show, it’s the Brisbane Truck Show and industry reunion.”
There was a fresh new face at the Brisbane Truck Show, as KRW Motor Group – the group behind the Foton range of electric trucks – used the occasion to launch Chinese brand DFAC in Australia.
While the name might not sound familiar, DFAC has been building trucks out of China since 1969, and ranks as the country’s second-largest truck manufacturer, exporting to more than 56 global markets.
DFAC’s initial offering, which will land in dealers from September this year, is a light-duty 4.5-tonne GVM diesel truck that can also be up-rated to sixtonnes.
OUTSIDE AT The Depot, Chinese brand Windrose had its all-electric prime mover on display, which boasts an incredible 670km range.
The long-haul prime mover is currently being put to work in the US and Europe, and before making its way to the Brisbane Truck Show it completed a successful trial-run from Melbourne to Sydney.
Windrose has achieved the impressive driving range by using a large 729kWh battery, underpinned by an 800-volt architecture, capable of being charged from 20 to 80 per cent in as little as 38 minutes.
The three-motor powertrain produces peak power of 780kW, while torque is undisclosed, and the quoted range is said to be capable at a working weight of 49 tonnes.
Windrose confirmed that it is testing the prime mover in Australia and the company confirmed plans to launch the model sometime in 2026.
The model uses proven parts like a Euro 6 Cummins engine, Dana axles and Faust six-speed automated transmission.
The company will also launch a 9.5-tonne range in the fourth quarter of this year, featuring a more powerful Cummins engine and eight-speed Faust automatic transmission, with two wheelbase options planned.
“The response has been really good,” says KRW Group General Manager of Light Trucks, Bill Gillespie.
“We weren’t really pitching this truck as a fleet model because it’s a diesel, so we see it as more of a retail truck, but we had two major corporations visit our stand and they both asked if they could trial one. One then asked if they could buy the first truck that came off the line, which we agreed to.”
As the diesel models gear up to launch, with strong public interest out of the gate, Gillespie also teased future zero-emission models destined for Australia.
“We’ll build the brand out with the two diesel models, the 4.5-tonne and 9.5-tonne, but in January we’ll launch the two EV versions – so a 4.5-tonne and 8.5-tonne electric,” he says.
While hydrogen trucks were all the rage at the 2023 show, the emerging fuel source was overshadowed by diesel – including renewable and bio-diesel – at this year’s Brisbane Truck Show.
However, Hyundai bucked the trend with its XCIENT hydrogen fuel cell truck, bringing the futurefocused model Down Under for the first time.
While new for Australia, the Xcient has completed more than 100,000 kilometres of real-world work in New Zealand and more than 13 million kilometres in Switzerland, proving its reliability as a zero-emission runner.
The Xcient model is available in 4x2 and 6x2 configurations, powered by a 350kW/2,237Nm electric motor. A hydrogen fuel cell provides power for the 72kWh battery, while its 31kg tank allows for a range of around 400km.
“Hydrogen is one of those technologies that’s going to work really well in Australia, because we have vast distances, and because of the geographic nature of our country,” says Hyundai Senior Manager of Future Mobility and Government Relations, Scott Nargar.
“It’s the entire industry, our customers, suppliers – it’s not just the Brisbane Truck Show, it’s the Brisbane Truck Show and industry reunion.”
“Electric vehicles just make it hard, especially with our axle weights in Australia, and with the pressure drivers and logistics companies are under to get freight from A-to-B as quickly as possible.
“We’re already taking commitments and orders now for the truck, with a (hydrogen) station in Western Australia that gets finished this year, the Viva Energy station in Geelong, there’s one in Port Kembla and then one in Townsville that’ll be finished soon too. So we’ve got customers interested in taking these in various configurations now.”
As Australia’s hydrogen network grows, the Xcient presents a compelling zero-emission alternative to battery-electric models, allowing operators to cover significant distances with the ability to refuel along the way.
Hyundai showcased its XCIENT hydrogen fuel cell truck, bringing the future-focused model Down Under for the first time
A huge thank you to everyone who visited Wurth Australia at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show! It was a pleasure showcasing our latest workshop systems, heavy vehicle essentials, vending machine solutions, and product innovationsand, most importantly, connecting with the professionals who keep Australia moving. Your conversations, questions, and feedback help us continue delivering the quality, reliability, and service you count on.
If you’d like to learn more about how Wurth can support your business - or to book a visit from your local sales representative - give us a call on 1300 657 765. We’d love to come out and show you what’s possible.
Showgoers flocked to bars and restaurants at the BCEC and throughout the South Bank precinct across the four-day trucking festival, driving record trade for many retailers
story Graham Gardiner | images Alastair Brook and Daniel Neucom
HE DETROIT PLAZA was definitely the place to be at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show, with the terrace bar packed to the rafters from morning to night.
Serving up ice-cold drinks and tasty BBQ fare, the bar was abuzz from opening to closing as punters flocked to the open-air precinct to have a beer with mates – as well as catching a glimpse of the epic Detroit DD13 Gen 5 engine on display courtesy of sponsor Penske Australia. And once last drinks were called, the crowd descended to the array of bars and restaurants down at the South Bank Parklands where retailers welcomed the throng of showgoers with opening arms!
While most retailers reported record trade throughout the show, The Plough Inn was clearly the place to be, with the cracking pub jam packed from opening to closing across the four-day festival of all things trucking.
Check out the epic images of all the fun and frivlity captured by our team of gun photographers across the following pages!
The inaugural Silverback Show ‘N’ Shine National Championship was an unbridled success – not only in providing a national platform to showcase Australia’s best custom rigs but also the passion and professionalism of their owners and the wider trucking industry
SHOWSTOPPERS SHOW ’N’ SHINE WATCH THE VIDEO
HEN YOU witness judges running their fingers along the corner elbow of the sun-visor bracket to check for dust or inspecting the inside drive tyres to ensure they have been staged with the tyre brand at the top of the arc, you have one of two thoughts: these judges must be hell to live with, especially come Saturday morning family chores; or this truck show is next level.
The truth is, both thoughts hold merit. Firstly, I am sure the judges are a nightmare at home when it comes to the cleanliness of their bathrooms; and secondly, yes, the inaugural Silverback Show ‘N’ Shine National Championship held alongside the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show is on a level not seen before on the Australian truck show circuit.
The idea for a national championship arose in the middle of 2024. Due to the success of the Brisbane Truck Show’s static display on Little Stanley Street in 2023, HVIA decided to chance its arm and scale up the idea for 2025.
A committee was formed and after several ideas were discussed, the concept of a national show ‘n’ shine championship took seed.
The notion was fairly simple, even if the logistics weren’t. Working with eight regional truck shows, HVIA would invite 28 of the best show ‘n’ shine winners from across the country to display their pride and joy and compete for the national championship.
Yes, there would be a champion crowned but the goal was to acknowledge and celebrate all 28 invitees, providing a national platform for their passion for their rides to be on full display for truck fans and the public alike.
It would also be a way of shining a light on, and
“
The inaugural Silverback Show ‘N’ Shine National Championship was on a level not seen before on the Australian truck show circuit.”
The goal was to acknowledge and celebrate all 28 invitees, providing a national platform for their passion for their rides to be on full display for truck fans and the public alike
supporting, some of the regional truck shows that play a huge role in fuelling the passion Australia has for all things trucking. For 2025 those shows were Alexandra Ute and Truck Show, Casino Truck Show, The Dane Ballinger Memorial Truck Show in Bathurst, the WA Mack Muster and Truck Show, Brisbane Convoy for Kids, Castlemaine Truck Show, Matty Hillcoat’s Truckies Day Out and Koroit Truck Show.
From these shows, the ‘King Rig’ received a golden ticket – automatic qualification for the inaugural Silverback Show ‘N’ Shine National Championship. The committee also invited another truck from each show to attend. Often it was the People’s Choice winner, or the runner up ‘King Rig’. Every show has different awards and trucks were chosen on merit. It also meant that when the final list was confirmed, there was plenty of variation and a wide array of heavy metal to entertain all enthusiasts.
With the shows being spread across the country, it was a huge task for the committee to organise and instruct vehicles from diverse locations stretching
“ The goal was to acknowledge and celebrate all 28 invitees, providing a national platform for their passion for their rides to be on full display for truck fans and the public alike.”
from Central Queensland to Tasmania, Perth, Geelong, South Australia and Western Australia. It was a gigantic enough effort to get these entrants to Brisbane, much less park their pride and joy in the confined streets of an inner-city location like South Bank!
Staging began early Wednesday morning and with the choreography of a Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) performance, 28 amazing rigs assembled from either end of Little Stanley Street, filling it perfectly from top to bottom.
The crowds were already starting to hover as rig after rig rolled in, mixing all the colours of the
The crowds – and the anticipation – started to build from the moment the 28 trucks arrived on the eve of the show on Wednesday
“It would also be a way of shining a light on, and supporting, some of the regional truck shows that play a huge role in fuelling the passion Australia has for all things trucking.”
rainbow, with all the shapes and sizes our industry allows.
With all the trucks staged up by lunchtime, Little Stanley Street soon became awash with microfibre clothes and cleaning equipment. The drivers and their cleaning cohorts spent the afternoon perfecting their pride and joy, whilst the crowd numbers, and the selfie sticks, increased hour upon hour.
The tough task of judging these pristine prime movers was to begin on Thursday and every entrant was determined to be 10/10 before that began.
I wasn’t joking when I delved into the depths the three judges were having to go to at the start of this breakdown. Checking for dirt inside the chassis rails, counting stone chips and even observing the placement of the valve stems in relation to the tyre branding. It was a standard of judging not previously experienced by any of these entrants; however, it was a necessary requirement when you saw the level to which all the entrants presented for the inaugural championship.
“It was a gigantic enough effort to get these entrants to get to Brisbane, much less park their pride and joy in the confined streets of South Bank!”
Many of the entrants invested thousands of dollars into preparation and customisation, just for this show.
The three judges, Miles Langley and Jack Wilby from Melbourne, and Kerry Inns from New Zealand, had thorough and specific criteria – spending 30-40 minutes per vehicle as they spoke to the owners and inspected each rig.
It took two full days by the three judges and in the end only two points separated the top two trucks.
Public voting saw a slightly more expanded margin, but the winners were chosen and come Sunday morning Cornwill Transport out of Geelong took out the top award – the ‘Champion of Champions’ gong sponsored by Silverback, with Auswide Transport Services picking up the ‘People’s Choice’ award sponsored by Slattery Auctions.
Cornwill Transport’s stunning SAR Legend, in deep maroon, was a deserved winner of the inaugural Silverback Show ‘N’ Shine National Championship.
The family-owned company customised the truck themselves and when it comes to truck shows the whole family are under every nut and bolt ensuring their trucks are presented perfectly. The Cornwills had even gone to the extent of colour matching their tyre jack. The round of raucous applause that accompanied the announcement was a reflection of the feeling of all those in attendance.
As for the People’s Choice winner, Auswide
Many of the entrants invested thousands of dollars into preparation and customisation, just for this show
“I got my trophy when I got to rock up here on Wednesday morning, just being part of this is cool.”
“ The drivers and their cleaning cohorts spent the afternoon perfecting their pride and joy, whilst the crowd numbers, and the selfie sticks, increased hour upon hour.”
Transport Services’ all-black T909 was a deserved winner. The truck features intricate airbrushing along the front, sides and rear wall, a custom gold-fleck painted engine, and one-of-a-kind interior. The truck, which runs around 5-6,000km a week, was a constant subject of selfies and snapshots all week.
Awards and acknowledgements aside, credit for the success of the inaugural Show ‘N’ Shine Championship goes to each and every entrant for their outstanding representation of the transport industry.
The success and popularity also ensures the local eateries and bars were kept on their toes for the week, with supplies running very low at several of the restaurants.
Mother nature also deserves a little credit.
Predictions the week before, as well as the cursed ‘Oh it never rains at the Brisbane Truck Show’ statement from one of the committee members, heightened the pre-show stress levels but, in the end, Queensland turned on a pearler of a week.
Credit for the success of the inaugural Show ‘N’ Shine National Championship goes to each and every entrant for their outstanding representation of the transport industry
The street was a constant wash of people, including many who had no interest in trucks and were just passing by. All the entrants happily interacted, answering questions and enquiries. In doing so they showed the public, and other truck nuts, that the industry is driven by professionalism and passion.
To the general public the idea of who and what a truck driver is, can often be misleading. It was fantastic to see all the entrants representing the industry and sharing their enthusiasm.
The best barometer for the success of the inaugural Show ‘N’ Shine National Championship, though, comes from the entrants. Their appreciation for the invite, their appreciation for the other vehicles on display and the enjoyment from interacting with fellow truck tragics says it all.
To quote one of the entrants, Laurie Williams, “I got my trophy when I got to rock up here on Wednesday morning, just being part of this is cool”.
Well said, mate.
Anywhere Heavy Towing and Machinery’s epic Kenworth T909 also drew lots of attention at the show ‘n’ shine
Auswide Transport Services’ all-black T909 was a deserved winner of the ‘People’s Choice’ award sponsored by Slattery Auctions
Passion drives this ‘Dynamite’ truck. The name is a tribute to the legendary TNT SARs that used to fly up and down the Victorian highways, trucks that the Cornwill brothers watched and admired.
Subsequently, when Kenworth released the Legend SAR series, the family company signed up straight away for this 2022 model. The truck is far from standard, with the brothers Troy, Wayne and Rick putting in untold hours to customise their creation, which is pushed along by a 615hp Cummins X-15.
With most of the work being done in-house, this luxurious Legend hasn’t had much time on the road yet but has been built to work. It just happens to look too good to work, but it will.
Trent Schaeffer is a born-and-bred truck nut. He is also a very successful transport operator who thrives on challenges and innovation. Nothing exemplifies that more than his state-of-the-art tri-drive Kenworth K200.
The big Kenworth tows a single trailer and with its 600hp Cummins X15 engine, is capable of hauling a B-double load on a single set-up.
As much effort as there was to get the engineering to satisfy the permits, the design work that resulted in such a stunning rig is also amazing.
Inspired by the classic colours of a VW kombi van, Trent has matched the colours with the chrome and the scrolls with the sign writing to produce a oneof-a-kind Kenworth.
This amazing Value-Liner – powered by a 500hp E9 V8 – is the product of a growing compulsion for Andrew Derham.
Having recently restored an old Kenworth that belonged to his father, Andrew caught the bug for building and purchased a dead-on-its-wheels 1989 Value-Liner for his second project.
Andrew and his mate Thommo tore the old girl down to its last nut and bolt and restored it as close to original as possible, with just a dash of modern bling to snap the heads around.
Through contacts they were able to track down the last roof in Australia for this model, as well as some of the last original interior fit outs. The end build is a sensational tribute to a legendary Mack model.
When Melbourne-based Auswide Transport Solutions wanted to acknowledge and celebrate its 150th truck purchase, it decided to go all out.
And with this stunning 2021 T909 – known as ‘Karma’ – it did exactly that. The original design was for a striking black-and-gold truck with a touch of airbrushing. That was until the truck went under the tools of Laurent at Allstyles Customs in Victoria.
Copious layers of clearcoat were added after the airbrushing as this truck is a celebration, but it is also a working rig with a matching B-double set for the east coast work, and matching B-triple set for running across the paddock.
A record 34 trailer manufacturers showcased their latest load-carrying creations at this year’s event, many taking their displays to great new heights – including one literally!
story Cobey Bartels | images Alastair Brook and Daniel Neucom
T MAY BE the Brisbane Truck Show, but believe it or not there were even more trailer brands on display than trucks, with a staggering 34 manufacturers rolling in their latest and greatest load-carrying creations for this year’s event. Rewind to 1968, when the show was born, and it was actually called the Queensland Truck, Trailer and Equipment Show. It makes sense, because without trailers, trucks are just oversize cars!
This year’s show saw the largest array of highproductivity trailers ever displayed in the flesh, showcasing Australia’s propensity for massive multitrailer combinations. After all, carrying more freight with one truck offers enormous sustainability, safety and productivity benefits.
Not only does Australia’s transport industry favour the biggest trailers, local manufacturers build some of the toughest too, from low loaders to side tippers and everything in between.
Relive the incredible 2025 Brisbane Truck Show, with our roundup of the top trailers on display…
When you think about trailer manufacturing, one company always springs to mind: The Drake Group. The group – comprising Drake Trailers, O’Phee Trailers, Danzell & Bagley and Boxloader – is known for wheeling in its biggest and best trailers for the show, and this year was no exception.
The team had a crazier idea than ever before for this year’s show, outdoing previous stunts like double and triple stacking trailers!
Towering above every other attraction in the main pavilion of this year’s show was The Drake Group’s rotating skel trailer, which stood an incredible 13-metres tall.
“The idea actually started with Mick O’Phee (O’Phee Trailers founder),” says The Drake Group Director, Sam Drake.
“We always sit down ahead of the show to chat about what sort of theme we want, what we’re going to display and what we’re going to do differently.
“Mick sat down and said, ‘I’ve always had a dream –
I’ve always wanted to put a trailer on its end and have it spinning’.
“We thought about it and went, ‘we could actually do that’. So we got together with our engineers and built a rotator using the same ball race that we use in our Jinker trailer.”
Surrounding the sky-high skel were an array of top-shelf creations, including a ‘Queenslander’ flat top that marked the rebirth of the iconic model that O’Phee Trailers created many years ago.
But arguably the most eye-catching trailer on The Drake Group stand, aside from the towering skel, was a flashy 5x8 swing wide extendable trailer, complete with ‘Bling King’ signwriting and (real) gold-plated Drake badging, produced for Membrey’s Transport & Crane Hire.
“Brisbane Truck Show is what it’s all about, it’s the marquee event for us,” Drake says.
“It’s a huge deal and that’s why we invest a lot into doing it. It’s also about supporting our customers, giving them a platform and exposure too.”
“Mick sat down and said, ‘I’ve always had a dream – I’ve always wanted to put a trailer on its end and have it spinning’. We thought about it and went, ‘we could actually do that’.”
Robuk always pulls a big crowd when it rolls out its premium aluminium tippers and moving floor trailers, and its stand at this year’s show was its biggest yet.
The Brisbane-based manufacturer staged its PBSapproved A-double ‘Melbourne Storm’ trailer at the 2023 show, and its stunning airbrushed livery had NRL fans flocking to see the truck in person.
For 2025, the company unveiled its new 26-metre PBS-approved A-double combination complete with a heartwarming ‘Lights on the Hill’ livery.
The touching trailer artwork aims to honour fallen truck drivers, and Robuk National Sales Manager, Darren Riedel, says it meant a lot to visitors who had lost somebody close to them.
“I was really proud of the ‘Lights on the Hill’ trailer and the concept of honouring the legacy of fallen drivers, which was really emotional for some people.
“Beyond that, just being able to catch up with our customers, having everyone under the one roof, was really cool. Customers from all around Australia came to visit us on the stand, and we definitely got a few sales out of it!” he says
“Customers from around Australia came to visit us on the stand, and we definitely got sales out of it!”
GLT – an evolution of iconic manufacturer Graham Lusty Trailers – builds some of Australia’s slickest tippers, designed and engineered to offer low tare weight and maximum payload.
The company had an eye-catching array of trailers on show, including the Australian-first VAKO container handling tipper that reduces downtime and improves safety with a system that combines container handling and tipping.
GLT also had a striking blue Parker Transport pocket road train on display, alongside a Sawtells tipper, offering an up-close look at its flagship trailer solutions.
“Months of planning, designing and prepping
“People were really excited by our scrap tipper, which we decided to showcase this year – it was really popular.”
came to life – and what a ride it was!” GLT Sales and Marketing Manager, Leanne Stewart, says.
“What made it all worth it? The feedback, the curiosity, the nods of approval – confirming what we already knew. Plus, those surprised faces when they realised there’s a couple of ‘sheilas’ helping to drive this manufacturing business forward.
“We’re just getting started!”
SWEDISH TRUCKMAKER Scania set out to raise awareness and promote the future of Australia’s transport industry at this year’s show, attracting talent with its epic ‘Dunk Truck’ concept – taking out the ‘quirkiest trailer’ crown.
The idea for the Dunk Truck started with the company’s marketing team, while the design was pieced together by Pre-Sales Engineer Dean van Lunenburg and his fellow team members.
Once the engineering work was underway, Scania inked out an agreement with Dream Courts which provided a transportable 10m x 10m basketball court making the Dunk Truck a true court-on-wheels setup.
A Scania P360 6×2 was fitted with a curtainsider body from Austruck Truck Bodies and Royans Total Fleet Imaging provided the eye-catching curtains, making the marketing team’s dream a reality.
The Dunk Truck was parked up at The Depot, giving show attendees an opportunity to shoot hoops with the Brisbane Bullets NBL team. Needless to say, it was a resounding hit!
Freighter Group (formerly MaxiTRANS) is fresh off the back of a rebrand, launching its ‘new look’ at the show with a range of locally-manufactured products backed by its ‘Freight it for life’ vision.
Front and centre on its stand was the hotlyanticipated Freez-R fridge trailer, which uses Ferroplast insulation on a proven Freighter chassis to deliver industry-leading thermal performance.
The trailer maker promoted its ‘Freight it for life’ concept at the show, which centres around lifetime support for customers, as it looks to the future.
“ The amount of people coming onto the stand, particularly on that Friday and Saturday –it was just pumping.”
“This was our first showcase as the Freighter Group, and so our stand was framed around that ‘Freight it for life’ concept,” says Freighter Group Marketing and Communications Manager, Rick Challons.
“We’re doing a lot of work to support our customers, from an aftermarket perspective, spare parts and our service offering. So we had a lot of people from parts, service and other key people on the stand to have those key conversations.”
Using the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show to premiere the new brand was a winning move for Freighter, providing the perfect backdrop for customer engagement.
“The amount of people coming onto the stand, particularly on that Friday and Saturday – it was just pumping.
“Our team really enjoyed meeting customers across those few days…we had record numbers and it’s really good to celebrate with our customers, engage with them and find out what their challenges are,” Challons says.
Freighter kicked off operations back in 1946, celebrating 80 years of manufacturing success next year, and its customer focus into the future was a welcome talking point at this year’s show.
Bruce Rock Engineering is a leader in the tipper space, forging a strong reputation since kicking off in 1980, and the company continues to innovate.
Bruce Rock used the 2025 show to unveil its all-new BulkEX grain trailer, which features an updated bowl with greater cubic capacity and lower tare weight.
The BulkEX trailer offers all of the benefits of the brand’s existing models, but takes productivity to the next level, available in an array of configurations ranging from B-double all the way up to AB-triple.
Alongside the BulkEX trailer was an array of Bruce
A staggering 34 manufacturers rolled in their latest and greatest load-carrying creations for this year’s event
Rock’s scrap and side-tipper models, which also drew strong crowds across the four-day show.
“Grain for us is one of our core trailer product offerings, so being able to show this refined version was really exciting,” says Bruce Rock Engineering Marketing Specialist, Michelle Krish.
“People were also really excited by our scrap tipper, which we decided to showcase this year – it was really popular. But honestly, the whole display came together really well and the team did a great job.
“We made it over from Western Australia and we did it!”
KRUEGER
Krueger Transport Equipment has been building top-tier heavy-duty semi-trailers for 46 years, and at this year’s show the company took its stand into the future with a high-tech display.
The company showcased its all-new KoolBox fridge trailer, KDolly unit, and a Kurtainer trailer with an enormous digital screen that displayed various customer liveries – changeable with the press of a button!
“We spent the last four months developing a three-
dimensional virtual curtain,” says Krueger Transport Equipment Marketing Lead, James Tamanika.
“In doing so we’ve got about 45 different liveries loaded up that with a push of a button we can open the curtain, close it and change it to another customer! Our biggest goal was to pay homage to the customers who support us.”
“We spent the last four months developing a three-dimensional virtual curtain.”
Haulmark made a triumphant return to the Brisbane Truck Show this year, after a 26-year hiatus, marking a return to its roots as the host of the first-ever show.
That’s right, Haulmark actually hosted the inaugural Truck Show back in 1968 at its premises at Ipswich Road, Rocklea, along with 20 other exhibitors!
Haulmark exhibited at every show until 1999 when the then Queensland Truck & Machinery Show was held at Brisbane’s RNA Showgrounds.
Now, more than half-a-century later the company returned to the show with its latest range of trailers.
Haulmark has grown considerably since then, with sites in Brisbane, Darwin, Townsville and Adelaide, known for designing and building top-quality
After a 26-year hiatus founding exhibitor
returned to the show with its latest range of trailers
products like cattle trailers, low loaders, drop decks, skels, tippers and even tankers.
Front and centre on the Haulmark stand was its new live bottom floor trailer, developed alongside Canadian company Gincor, which is built using Hardox 450 wear-resistent steel plate and moisture-resistant fibre-strand insulation.
The new live bottom trailer is perfectly suited to asphalt and other hot mix materials, featuring a durable two-ply heat and oil resistant conveyor belt for safe unloading.
Haulmark also celebrated its 60th anniversary recently, making its return to the show all the more special as it further cemented its position as a longstanding leader in the Australian trailer industry.
Eurocold launched its new service offering at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show, which included showing off its new Balanced Range of refrigerated trucks.
It may have been the company’s first time on the main floor of the show, but Eurocold looked right at home with an expansive stand that showcased its evolution from a refrigerated body builder to a leading cold fleet partner.
“We’ve evolved from a body builder to fleet partner. Our story is just like our customers’ –it’s about the resilience, adaptability and progress of everyday business,” says Eurocold CEO Avraam Solomon.
“We’re not just building trucks; we’re building solutions.
“The Balanced Range reflects our dedication to providing Australian businesses with a diverse selection of high-performing, cost-effective and sustainable refrigerated trucks.”
Front and centre on the stand was the company’s eight-pallet fridge body option from its Balanced Range, which offers a perfect middle-ground solution
with its world-class isothermal body and massive 27.3-cubic-metre capacity.
The company also launched its new zero-emission Revora EV two-pallet van, rounding out its array of electric solutions that also include three- and eightpallet truck options.
Eurocold used the 2025 show to showcase its new Balanced Range of refrigerated trucks and a new zero-emission
Revora EV two-pallet van
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Just like old truckies and their trucks, Heritage Truck Show organisers improvised in the face of bad weather to deliver a record turnout of classic truck enthusiasts
HE HERITAGE TRUCK Association Australia’s annual Heritage Truck Show, which ran alongside the Brisbane Truck Show at the nearby Rocklea Showgrounds, was bigger than ever before –despite unfortunate weather conditions.
Since returning to its inaugural home in 2021, the Heritage Truck Show has continued to gain pace as the classic truck scene grows in popularity.
“You just have to look at the heritage truck movement, it’s just getting bigger and bigger and there’s so much interest in it,” HTAA President, Mark Plunkett, says.
Back in 2023 the show saw around 160 trucks and 2,000 visitors, but this year it eclipsed all expectations with 4,500 people rolling in through the doors to see a record 200-plus trucks on display – plus several iconic models on show at South Bank Parklands.
“We had about 4,500 people through the gates, which is considerably up on recent years,” he says.
“I didn’t really think it could get any bigger than 2023, but it definitely did!”
It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, though, with torrential rain the day before the show presenting a major issue – the trucks couldn’t park up on the oval without getting bogged…even with the diff locks on!
“The trucks started rolling in on the Friday, but we ended up in a bit of a pickle,” Mark says, chuckling.
“The showground itself was too wet to put the trucks onto the grass without them getting stuck.”
Mark and the Heritage Truck Association team have plenty of trucking experience between them, and a bit of mud wasn’t going to sully their spirits. The team put their heads together and decided that if they carefully parked the trucks at a 45-degree angle around the field, they’d just fit.
“We had to come up with another plan very quickly as to how the heck we were going to get 200 trucks into the showground,” he says.
“We had about 4,500 people through the gates, which is considerably up on recent years.”
“We backed the trucks into the fence and then around the ring, just off the track – but it was fairly hard. The layout actually ended up being exceptionally good – we learnt a lot about improvisation but also what looks good.”
When the gates opened at 8:30am Saturday, it was still overcast and Mark didn’t have high hopes.
“We were thinking that with the bad weather people might not come,” he says.
“But the number of people that rolled in at that
“ We were thinking that with the bad weather people might not come. But the number of people that rolled in at that point really surprised us and it was a record day.”
point really surprised us and it was a record day. Then Sunday turned out to be a glorious day and a lot of young families rolled in, so it was another record day then as well.”
For Mark, the Heritage Truck Show is all about reliving the good ol’ days, harking back to a time when trucks looked cool, sounded tough and went like stink. The truckies, too, were as tough as they come.
“The new ones are a bit bland, to be honest, but these old girls are just so rounded and stylish,” he says.
“Plus, you get to hear the old stories about the road, how they improvised to sort of get themselves out of situations because it was a different era. These days we get a taxi but in those days you got the shovel out!”
And this year’s show showcased a cracking lineup of rare vintage and classic trucks.
Taking centre stage was a beautifully restored 1988 Mack Super-Liner – named after cattle king Sir
Sidney Kidman. Originally owned by Fraser’s Livestock Transport, the truck is owned by Dennis Kelly who chose the name after reading the story of Kidman whilst the truck was being restored.
The classic Mack runs a E9 V8 engine rated at 500 horsepower, driving through a 12-speed overdrive Mack box, and 44,000-pound Mack diffs.
Arguably the rarest truck on show was a 1962 Mack H673 ST – better known as a ‘Cherry Picker’ due to its distinctive 2.7m cab height, which is one of only two such models imported into Australia in 1962 for Anthill Ranger & Co, later Mayne Nickless.
Both left-hand drives, they were the first cab-overengine Macks in Australia; and the first in Australia powered by a turbo-charged Mack Thermodyne diesel engine, the ENDT-673.
In 1966, chassis no.1570 was sold and after changing hands several times was finally scrapped and used for parts. Chassis no.1574, however, is still alive today. In 1966, with 700,000 miles on the clock, it was purchased by Frank Fleming & Sons in Brisbane and converted to right-hand drive for use hauling earthmoving and allied equipment. It was retired in the mid-1980s and underwent a restoration.
The truck was eventually put on display at the
The show is about more than just old trucks – it’s about catching up with mates, reliving adventures out on the highway and doing it surrounded by beautiful old bangers
Queensland Transport Museum in Gatton before being purchased in 2015 by Rodney and Janette Sims, who are now the owners of this one-of-a kind showpiece!
Also on display was an iconic 1961 B61 Mack known as ‘Mean Machine’ that was first raced at the Surfers Paradise Raceway in the mid 1970’s by owner Bill Gordon. At the time the truck was a road-going interstate highway runner but became a designated
“The new ones are a bit bland, to be honest, but these old girls are just so rounded and stylish.”
“ You get to hear the old stories about the road, how they improvised to get out of situations because it was a different era. These days we get a taxi but in those days you got the shovel out!”
drag vehicle and was raced by Bill throughout the late 1970’s and 1980’s. The classic Bulldog was sold to Bernie Tobin in 2020 on the condition that it was restored to its former glory. So started the meticulous, two-year, strip-down-to-chassisrails restoration of this iconic piece of Australian motorsports history.
The truck is powered by a 8V71 supercharged Detroit, producing over 600 horsepower, with a nitrous oxide kit boosting this by another 350hp, and running through a 13-speed Roadranger overdrive gearbox.
Among the oldest trucks on display was a fully restored 1939 Chevy which is a beautiful example of yesteryear’s work horses. The truck served on the Brisbane City Council for 20 years from 1939 before being retired.
After being moved on to Baker Brothers at Moonie, the 1.5-tonne truck BCC 87 was thought lost until being rediscovered and returned to the Brisbane City Council where it was restored by workshop staff.
Also on show was an incredibly rare 1982 Leader owned by Peter Zinn. The ex-Brambles heavy hauler has been under restoration for a number of years
and was on display for the first time at the show. This classic prime mover runs a 3406 Caterpillar engine through a five-speed Mack gearbox with a four-speed Joey box, 200-ton Berliet hub reduction diffs and a nine-ton front axle.
Built in 1982, the truck is one of four of these special trucks ordered by Brambles for heavy float work. Only three were delivered, with the order for the fourth cancelled before it was manufactured.
Leader was a truck manufacturer based in Toowoomba founded by Cyril Anderson and Western Transport Group. It produced nearly 2,000 trucks (a wide variety from four-ton to 250-ton) between 1972 and 1984.
Following on from the 2023 show’s popular display marking 60 years of Mack Trucks in Australia, the 2025 event also feature special exhibitions celebrating 125 years of the Bulldog brand worldwide and 90 years of Volvo Group Australia stablemate UD Trucks.
The Heritage Truck Show is about more than just the old trucks, Mark reiterates – it’s about catching up with old mates, reliving adventures out on the highway and doing it surrounded by the beautiful old
“ You know, there was a guy there who told me had people coming up that he hadn’t seen for forty years.”
bangers that put food on the table for generations of truckies.
“The part that really gets me is that people who haven’t seen each other for a long time get together,” he says.
“You know, there was a guy there who told me had people coming up that he hadn’t seen for forty years. He had drivers who worked for him 25 years ago come and sit down for a chin wag – and this guy is 85, mind you.
“That’s what it’s all about and it gives me goosebumps to be honest.”
When asked if he thinks the Heritage Truck Show can go even bigger in two years’ time, Mark simply replied: “Absolutely!”
For the second show running, Adam Ritzinger’s ‘Tech Tours’ provided 120 lucky attendees with a guided walking tour of a diverse range of technical highlights from exhibitors on the main floor
HILE THE RECORD 54,790 people who attended the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show had a front row seat to all the energy and excitement, the premier experience was had by the lucky 120 who joined one of the seven ‘Tech Tours’ I ran across the Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the show.
The ‘Tech Tours’ are a 90-minute guided walking tour of a diverse range of technical highlights from exhibitors on the main floor. This year I included 14 separate stops to provide a first-hand look at new technologies loosely grouped into four main themes – decarbonisation, on-road safety, new trailer technology, and Australian manufacturing quality and ingenuity.
As always, there was far too much to cover in this short article, and the show itself was far larger than we could accommodate in a brief walking tour. It really must be seen to be believed, and best experienced in the flesh. If you didn’t make it in 2025, put BTS27 in your calendar now, and subscribe to Talk the Torque for future ‘Tech Tour’ announcements!
But for now, let’s dive in and see what the BTS25 ‘Tech Tours’ were all about.
Few attendees could have missed the bold design of the brand-new XCIENT fuel cell truck debuted for the first time to the Australian market from Hyundai
“ The brand-new Hyundai XCIENT fuel cell truck is backed by more than seven million real-world kilometres ... and refuels in less than 20 minutes.”
Motor Company Australia (HMCA). Backed by more than seven million real-world kilometres, the zero tailpipe emissions truck has a range of up to 400km and refuels in less than 20 minutes, explained Scott Nargar, Hyundai Senior Manager of Future Mobility.
It is the world’s first mass-produced, heavy-duty hydrogen powered truck and sends a strong signal to the market that HMCA predicts that fuel cell technology will continue to play a part in trucking decarbonisation around the globe.
For the first time, the ‘Tech Tours’ made their way into the concourse area to visit powered axle and powered trailer pioneers Vibe Energy Motion. Director Dean Panos explained the extensive local development work in designing and integrating a powered axle into its existing trailer designs, and its overall goal of creating a modular system that can readily adapted into a range of trailer applications. An exciting step for powered trailers!
Back into the main floor of the show saw the tours visit two equipment providers both moving boldly into new decarbonisation frontiers, but with different approaches.
James Foott and Raj Ranganathan from Cummins Asia Pacific took us through the ins and outs of their new ‘fuel agnostic’ internal combustion engine platforms.
Referred to as ‘HELM’, standing for ‘Higher Efficiency, Lower Emissions, Multiple Fuels’, it is a common-platform engine that can be configured
“Cummins’ ‘HELM’ … is a common-platform engine that can be configured with different fuel intake systems to be used in conventional diesel, natural gas and gaseous hydrogen operations.”
with different fuel intake systems to be used in conventional diesel, natural gas and gaseous hydrogen operations. It is a great example of how global manufacturers are providing for differing paths to achieving net zero.
The manufacturer, known for its reliable red engines, also showcased its integrated powertrain featuring an X15 engine, Eaton Cummins 18-speed Endurant transmission and Meritor axles, promising lower total cost of ownership and increased confidence with comprehensive Cummins support across the entire driveline.
The group extended the ‘flexible decarbonisation’ pathways even further with a visit to the Dana Australia stand, where Engineering Manager Matthew James showcased its latest electrified driveline offerings hitting the road in the next 12 months.
These include the Zero-6 e-transmission providing an integrated inverter, motor and three-speed gearbox outputting up to 500hp and 8,000Nm of torque; as well as the Zero-8 e-axle providing an
BRIDGESTONE-OWNED telematics provider, Webfleet, brought its latest AI-powered innovations to this year’s show, offering punters a glimpse into the future.
The company had its full suite of telematics devices on the stand, covering a range of transport requirements, including its in-cab Pro I Device and TMA-approved Link 740 vehicle tracker.
Front and centre was the company’s latest AIpowered dashcam, which features new hardware and software to keep drivers safe.
“It’s a more powerful camera, so we can add more powerful AI capabilities onto it in the cloud, which means it has new features,”
says Bridgestone Mobility Solutions Marketing Manager for Webfleet, Scott Elkington.
“It can now do fatigue detection, it picks up better footage and analyses it better. It can also be updated as more AI capabilities come online.”
As the term ‘AI’ gets thrown around more and more, Elkington explains that the Webfleet difference is in how it trains its AI model, focusing on the quality over quantity of data.
“The use case for AI is taking really complicated data sets and making sense of it for a human, and since we’re one of the largest telematics providers we’ve trained the AI on our own datasets,” he says. “We only deal with commercial vehicles, so our AI is only trained on other commercial
vehicles which gives us a very clean learning model – there’s no amateur driver data, it’s all professional drivers.”
Sustainability was also a big talking point on the stand, Elkington adds, as Webfleet’s team educated operators on ways to improve their CO2 emissions through the use of telematics.
“We could talk about what we can do to help reduce your CO2 emissions with driver feedback, for things like green speed, coasting, excess idling and other things that drive down your diesel cost,” he says.
“But just being there for a record show, with over 54,000 people, was incredible – it was very humbling.”
axle-mounted integrated inverter, motor and threespeed gearbox, supporting a wide variety of vehicle architecture options and outputting over 1,000hp and 130,000Nm in tandem configuration. If used as a single axle in a tandem drive configuration, it could offer a means for flexible, transitional decarbonisation, effectively allowing a truck to take advantage of two driveline technologies simultaneously.
After those stops, we steered away slightly from decarbonisation but stayed just as technical! We made our way to the Volvo Group stand where we got a detailed run-down of the new D17 engine from Product Manager Aaron Lewis.
Offering up to 780hp and 3,800Nm, it is the most powerful engine Volvo Trucks has ever made, yet it complies with the latest Euro VI engine emissions regulations and can be run on new low-carbon liquid fuels (LCLFs) such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and a 100 per cent biodiesel blend (B100).
The group then moved back into the trailer space, and had a detailed explanation of new trailer telematics systems from Jan Fiedler at market-leader Freighter Group. Jan covered the capabilities of the ‘TrailerConnect’, which provides real-time trailer refrigeration unit status, and also running gear, EBS system status, brakes, tyres and even a remote locking system that can prevent a trailer from being moved!
Conveniently located directly opposite Freighter
Volvo Product Manager
“On the ‘Tech Tours’ Dana Australia … showcased its latest electrified driveline offerings hitting the road in the next 12 months.”
“ Stemco Australia gave a hands-on demonstration of its ‘Auto-Torque’ axle fastening system, a mechanical device that eliminates user error in installing wheel hub bearings.”
was Knorr-Bremse Australia – Commercial Vehicle Systems, and the tour had a further look into smart trailer systems via Knorr’s advances in trailer braking.
Rachel Michaud explained the features of KnorrBremse’s latest trailer electronic brake systems (TEBS) and highlighted the importance of reducing delays in brake signal timing, and how the company’s technology can ensure optimum brake performance for Australia’s long combinations and road trains.
Knorr-Bremse also premiered its all-new iReverse Radar system that can alert a driver when reversing and even activate the brakes if required.
The focus on safety kicked off with a visit to a stand that attendees could have otherwise walked by and been none the wiser to the importance of the products on display.
The prevalence of wheel-end failures in Australia, and their unfortunate contribution to safety statistics through fires was highlighted by recent research from leading transport insurer NTI.
Chris Lawler from STEMCO Australia gave a handson demonstration of its newly-released ‘Auto-Torque’ axle fastening system, a mechanical device that eliminates user error in installing wheel hub bearings, and is set to revolutionise running gear servicing, reduce the instance of wheel-end failures and dramatically improve safety.
Another product set to deliver safety gains are the
MAHA Australia/New Zealand mobile column lifts, powered by high-capacity on-board rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
The mobile column lifts offer an alternative to heavy vehicle service operations where pits are not available, or are otherwise impractical, explained Managing Director Mick Lauster.
The use of column lifts also completely eliminates the hazards of working in and around service pits in workshops, which was the subject of a HVIA ‘best practice’ guide released last year.
We moved from mechanical systems to software systems on the safety journey as the group entered the Daimler Truck stand and heard about the ‘Detroit Assurance’ platform, which offers a new suite of sensor and telematics based safety systems fitted to new Freightliner Cascadia models.
Eight driver assistance systems are being offered, including active brake assist for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, and adaptive cruise control.
‘Tech Tour’ attendees saw first-hand how the
Knorr-Bremse’s Rachel Michaud (above) explained the features of its latest trailer electronic brake systems
Detroit Connect system captures safety events on video, supplemented with telematics data, and downloadable through the cloud.
The number of world-leading Australian innovations on display at the Brisbane Truck Show cannot be overstated, particularly in the trailer and body sector, and with over 34 brands represented in 2025, there are far too many to list here.
But two displays caught the eyes of ‘Tech Tour’ attendees in particular.
The first was the spectacular container handling tipper trailer, developed in collaboration with VAKO. New to the Australian market and highly innovative, it seamlessly integrates tipping and container handling, cutting loading times, and improving efficiency and productivity.
The second was of course the Drake Trailers stand, with its two rows of triple-stacked low loaders and heavy haulage trailers of varying designs, either
“ Tour attendees saw first-hand how the Detroit Connect system captures safety events on video, supplemented with telematics data, and downloadable through the cloud.”
side of a show-stopping centrepiece – a lightweight triaxle skeletal trailer sitting on its end, on a rotating platform!
The Drake Group Director Sam Drake spoke briefly about the idea behind the display, but I was sure to draw attention to the incredible engineering design and ingenuity that goes into every Drake design, incorporating complex mechanisms such as extension, deck widening and chassis widening, all manufactured right here in Australia.
ANOTHER TYRE COMPANY making inroads into the telematics game is Michelin, using the 2025 show to launch its Connected Fleet solution in Australia.
Michelin Connected Fleet showcased its solutions on a shared stand, alongside the range of products from Michelin Tyres, offering operators the chance to experience its products first hand.
The company has been gearing up for the roll-out of its telematics solution in Australia for the past two years, and following its Truck Show
launch it is now able to offer operators real-time tracking for trucks, trailers and cargo.
Michelin Connected Fleet offers features like driver behaviour analysis, fuel and cost optimisation, live tyre pressure monitoring and live brake and bearing temperature monitoring.
“Our mission is to empower Australian fleet managers with advanced data-driven insights that improve decision-making, reduce costs and enhance fleet performance,” Michelin Connected Fleet Australia Country Manager, Franck Estoquié, says.
“Our global expertise and local market understanding will allow us to provide tailored solutions that meet the unique demands of the Australian road transport sector.
“The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Fleet managers recognise the value of real-time data and predictive insights in optimising their operations. This event has reinforced our commitment to supporting Australian transport businesses with smarter, more efficient fleet management solutions.”
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All-new activation, The Depot, truly did deliver a hands-on, interactive, engaging and inspiring experience for school students – and in the process set a new benchmark for how we showcase the future of our industry
story Steve Power | images Alastair Brook, Cameron Campling and Daniel Neucom
HE NEW TRUCK WEEK 25 activation, The Depot, held on the lawns of TAFE Queensland’s South Bank campus, delivered on its promise – and then some, creating an inspiring, hands-on experience for school students, while also serving as a lively retreat for Brisbane Truck Show attendees.
Perfectly positioned directly across from the main entrance to the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC), The Depot offered the ideal spot to take a load off, enjoy the sunshine and catch up with mates over a cold one at the Beer Garden after exploring the packed halls of the show.
Truth be told, with the Truck Show filling virtually every nook of the BCEC these days, we’ve had our eye on that TAFE greenspace for a while.
HVIA’s ‘Schools to Industry Tours’ have long been a core part of the show – introducing high-schoolers to the opportunities in our industry at Australia’s biggest showcase of trucks, trailers and tech just makes sense.
Over the years, that’s taken different forms, from jobs hubs to careers seminars in rooms now full-tothe-brim with exhibitors, as the show continues to grow.
Co-locating the National Apprentice Challenge has always been a big piece of that puzzle. Watching heavy vehicle apprentices race against the clock to diagnose faults in trucks from different OEMs each show is impressive – but, as worthy and prestigious as it is, we had to admit: it doesn’t exactly make for riveting theatre.
Even after moving it from the BCEC loading docks to the South Bank Piazza, with multi-camera coverage and live commentary, we found ourselves facing two problems. First, students bused in from all over South-
“It was amazing! We had a great day – there was so much on display and so many conversations were had.”
East Queensland had itchy feet – they didn’t want to sit still. Second, from a strategic standpoint, we were only showcasing one pathway: technicians. Meanwhile, we’ve got over 30 career paths to promote.
That’s where the idea for The Depot really took off. We spoke to TAFE Queensland and pitched them on creating a full-blown careers festival on their South Bank lawns. They jumped on board immediately. The challenge? Make it hands-on, interactive, engaging and inspiring. Thanks to HVIA’s members, TAFE Queensland’s diverse capabilities, our major Truck Week 25 partners across Queensland
Government, and some other surprising contributors, The Depot careers and entertainment precinct was born.
And while The Depot was primarily about showing off those 30-something career pathways into the heavy vehicle industry, it ended up delivering far more.
“It was amazing!” says Bronwyn Edwards from Morayfield State High School. “We had a great day – there was so much on display and so many conversations were had.”
That enthusiasm was echoed by nearly 50 school
The Depot activation had a true carnival feel – all anchored, of course, by some sensational career displays and cutting-edge trucks
“Our students thoroughly enjoyed the careers exhibitions — from the hands-on activities and simulators to the stage games and demonstrations.”
The Depot showcased 30-something career pathways into the heavy vehicle industry
groups who stopped by The Depot before continuing on to the Brisbane Truck Show.
Ann Griffiths from Horizons College in Caboolture described it as welcoming and energetic: “Our students thoroughly enjoyed the careers exhibitions — from the hands-on activities and simulators to the stage games and demonstrations. The presenters did an excellent job connecting with young people. It was a fantastic opportunity to explore real-world career pathways in a fun, dynamic setting. They were blown away by the scale and loved getting up close to the trucks, trailers and technology.”
More than 1,000 students poured through The Depot in the first two mornings alone, with another 2,500 visitors – families and truck show attendees –joining in the fun across the week.
A big part of our partnership with TAFE Queensland was about putting their students’ talents and skills
“It was a fantastic opportunity to explore real-world career pathways in a fun, dynamic setting.”
on show too. From graphic design to hospitality (including serving their award-winning Froth Rookies lager at the Beer Garden); from technical production to the musicians on stage, their students got realworld experience in spades.
The Depot also featured fun activities including the Scania Dunk Truck and a football passing competition staged by the Dolphins NRL team
Meanwhile, TAFE Queensland’s own displays lived up to the promise of being hands-on, with virtual welding, their academy of sport challenging visitors to throw down the stumps, and more. Right next door, the Dolphins NRL team tested people’s passing skills for a shot at some cool merch.
The Scania Dunk Truck was a huge hit. Its travelling
careers display folds out to reveal a half-court and full-size backboard – a brilliant icebreaker, and a perfect metaphor for teamwork on and off the field. Throw in a couple of celebrity Brisbane Bullets players, and it was an absolute winner.
Beside it all sat the Beer Garden, centred around the Bullets’ double-decker hospitality deck. Normally reserved for VIPs at the team’s home games, this time it was Truck Show visitors kicking back as VIPs, soaking up the warm May sunshine.
The whole activation had a true carnival feel – all anchored, of course, by some sensational trucks. Out front was the Volvo FH EV, just as news was breaking of their manufacture right here in Queensland. Volvo also showcased its ‘Iron Women’ program, a partnership with Wodonga TAFE to train female drivers.
“They were blown away by the scale and loved getting up close to the trucks, trailers and technology.”
Sponsors and partners including Royans and Slattery Auctions put on fantastic, multi-layered displays
The revolutionary Windrose EV turned heads with its sleek futuristic look and centred driving position, while Slattery Auctions’ mud-caked Kenworth let people blast away the dirt with water guns to reveal the value underneath.
And that’s just scratching the surface. Royans Transport Accident Repairs had a fantastic, multilayered display. The Queensland Government’s Women in Manufacturing and Department of Trade, Employment and Training exhibits drove home key workforce initiatives.
On top of that the likes of MTA Queensland with its simulators, Manufacturing Skills Queensland with an amazing virtual reality experience and tour of the
Volvo factory, the giant Brisbane Truck School fullmotion simulator, and the NHVR’s impactful ‘Don’t #uck With a Truck’ campaign trailer.
Add to that Queensland Rail, Cummins and TruckTech – offering some of the best apprentice programs going around.
Our heartfelt thanks go to all the dedicated exhibitors, our partners at TAFE Queensland, our Truck Week 25 partners the Queensland Government, and our silver sponsors Royans, Scania and Volvo.
The Depot truly did deliver – hands-on, interactive, engaging, and inspiring – and in the process set a new benchmark for how we showcase the future of our industry.
The 2025 Brisbane Truck Show featured a greater array of parts and accessories than ever before – from supensions, axles and brakes to scales and lifts and everything in between
HIS YEAR’S BRISBANE Truck Show saw record crowds and exhibitors as the South Bank precinct was transformed into heavy vehicle heaven. While the trucks and trailers on display won the hearts of adoring fans, the parts and accessories on show were a hit with operators looking to modernise or trick-out their fleet with the latest gear.
The array of axles, brakes, scales and lifts was out of this world, with more choices under one roof than ever before. Here are the top parts and accessories innovations from the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show.
Global heavy-duty ride solutions manufacturer Hendrickson had an array of products on display at this year’s show, from suspension to axles and of course brakes.
The company had US-brand Reyco Granning on show, now distributed in Australia by Hendrickson, as well as its own leaf and air suspension setups.
Hendrickson showcased its Haulmax EX walking beam suspension product, alongside its Trailer Disc Steerable Suspension which gained a lot of attention.
Other products on the stand included mechanical suspension, composite springs and its new QF II pivot bush product which increases the static rollover threshold for multi-combination vehicles.
All finished in Hendrickson’s distinctive red paint scheme, the suspension systems were a hit across the four-day industry showcase.
Melbourne-based axle and airbag innovator TMC had an impressive selection of its smooth-riding products on display at the show.
The TMC display, which was focused on extended service intervals and lower lifecycle costs, included its proven preset bearing system from ConMet, alongside a full range of locally-developed unitised hub models for both drum and disc setups.
The company also had its easy-fit airbag suspension modules on display, as well as its SL10 and TL12 leaf suspension setups that are suitable for both drum or disc brakes.
Its star attraction though, was an e-axle that the company designed alongside Quality Transport
“ The array of axles, brakes, scales and lifts was out of this world, with more choices under one roof than ever before.”
Refrigeration Services (QTRS), and it even had a working example on display at the Heavy Equipment and Machinery Show staged alongside the Brisbane Truck Show at the RNA Showgrounds.
“The e-axle was the hottest thing on our stand, it got all the attention!” says TMC Operations Manager, Alex Law.
“A lot of people didn’t know what it was, or they thought it was a powered axle, but we were able to explain how it’s fitted and the benefits it can offer.”
Airtec returned to the 2025 show after the successful launch of its innovative AXS SmartOBM digital scales at the last event, this time rolling out an even more advanced system.
Known for its digital tyre inflation solutions, Airtec has grown to become a leading provider of digital scales that allow operators to manage and monitor weights from the comfort of the cabin.
The AXS SmartOBM system now has even more features, including enhanced plug-and-play capabilities for quicker installation, and improvements to its app that include adjustable target weight indicators and deeper device customisability.
“The demand for our AXS system prompted us to develop a nearly seamless installation solution, enhancing customer satisfaction through significant cost and time savings,” Airtec Director David Hewett says.
“A lot of people didn’t know what it was, or they thought it was a powered axle, but we were able to explain how it’s fitted and the benefits it can offer.”
MAHA
Leading workshop equipment provider MAHA brought its new C_RGA mobile column lift to this year’s Brisbane Truck Show, offering a safe, connected, battery-powered solution for the transport industry.
The 7.5-tonne mobile column lift uses a powerful lithium battery, ensuring more lifts with fewer recharges, while also reducing the total weight of the lift for easy transport.
Smart connectivity via a double antenna ensures interference-free operation in busy workshops, while its in-built control panel allows for easy operation of the lift. In fact, the lifts can be controlled individually, in pairs or as a group of up to 16 units.
A maintenance-free worm gear motor allows for
precise operation without overrun, while independent locking devices engage automatically in the event of a failure, and the lift’s slim dimensions make it ideal for the tightest workshop spaces.
“We’ve chosen the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show as the debut event for this innovative column lift in the Pacific region,” says MAHA Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands Managing Director, Mick Lauster.
“This mobile column lift empowers us and our customers to step into a digital future.”
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MAHA Australia chose the 2025 show as the debut event for its innovative new battery-powed mobile column lift in the Pacific region
This mobile column lift empowers us and our customers to step into a digital future.”
Alcoa Wheels is a transport industry favourite, with nearly 80 years of experience building lightweight aluminium wheels, and the company wheeled out an impressive array of solutions at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show.
The company had its latest ULT36x wheels on the stand, which are 1.6kg lighter than the previous model at just 16kg per wheel. The new design does away with traditional ‘hand holes’, creating a cleaner look. Alongside the array of shiny aluminium wheels, which wore the company’s fuss-free Dura-Bright surface treatment, Alcoa unveiled its new cleaning range that included a soap and water wash and brush. Who knew aluminium wheels could be this easy to keep shiny?
Leading aluminium wheels supplier Alcoa wheeled out its latest lightweight rims which do away with traditional ‘hand holes’
“Alcoa Wheels … wheeled out an impressive array of solutions at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show.”
Leading brake component manufacturer Bendix had a show-stopping lineup of products on its stand at this year’s show.
The company, which has been manufacturing in Australia since 1955, had a range of its ProTrans disc brake pads, brake shoes and brake linings on stand.
Its ProTrans disc pad range uses advanced surface technologies to offer leading temperature resistance and reduced wear rates. The pads also offer positive pedal feel from the moment they are fitted, benefiting from the company’s titanium bedding-in technology.
Bendix also had heavy-duty ProTrans HD disc pads on display, designed to handle tough aroundthe-clock use in extreme applications like refuse collection.
Bendix showcased its range of ProTrans disc brake pads, brake shoes and brake linings on its stand – including its HD disc pads
