My commercial thing is vans, but the big trucks can impress too. Among the off-the-wall elements was this concept showing some future view of the iconic Unimog all-terrain vehicle from Daimler. The concept is based on the U4000/U5000 series and is like something out of 'Terminator: The Last Battle'.
The green paint and the open-top architecture reflects the original Unimog built more than 60 years ago, because both those elements were incorporated in that first vehicle.
Then there was this All-Americal truck from Daimler's US Western Truck subsidiary, fully decked out in cow leather on the front, sides, and even saddlebags. Weeeahoooo, critters!
Back at the more ordinary ranch, I rather liked this Lumberjack Adventure based on Fiat's Strada pickup. Not available here in Ireland, unfortunately, but if they did bring it in it would certainly shake up the young city street cruiser market.
On Volkswagen's stand they featured the start of the company's 'commercial vehicle' business with this one-off machine built to transport bits and parts around the original post-war factory.
Note the 1950 T1 behind it that evolved into today's highly-successful Transporter range.
Meantime, right out of the up! success, here's a concept van called the eT! which is powered by electricity. There's even an iPad holder incorporated in the dash so that ET doesn't have to cobble together a gadget to call home across the galaxy.
Marking the 30th anniversary of the VW Caddy, the company is producing an 'Edition 30' limited series which has a bunch of special tweaks, including smart black roof and pinstriping, black painted 17" alloys, exclusive fogs, and will come with an option of a 200hp+ engine, making it the most dynamic Caddy of all time.
Here's a better view of that special edition Amarok Canyon we reported on from last night's pre-show event. It will be available from spring of next year. Amarok sales this year globally are 25 percent up on last year. And below is another colour of the Cross Caddy we mentioned also, which will have available Volkswagen's 4-Motion AWD system and engines ranging from 86-170hp (our suited friend on the very right seems a little unsure of it).
On the Mercedes-Benz stand there was a riot of vans, including the Citan new small van joint venture with Renault.
The Citan's launch in Ireland has been put back for a number of reasons, but we caught the dancers and singer doing a rehearsal this morning before the full unveiling later today.
And back on the Ford stand we also had the world debut of the next generation big Transit, which will take its place next year in the new range of commercials from the blue oval, from the upcoming Courier through new Transit Connect, and Transit Custom. It comes at the end of 2013.
I'm heading out on safari through the show again. Come back soon and I'll have some more.
