A SITE FOR MORE BUYS

The Commercial Motor Truckzone at the Site Equipment Demonstration (SED) attracted a stream of show visitors who vere keen to try the latest 4x4 vehicles over )ur demanding course.There were more than 2,000 construction professionals at SED this ,ear — up 12.5% on last year — and many of hem checked out The Edge. which was the entrepiece of Truckzone.

This 8m-high bridge with its dizzying 39° 'scent and descent led to other testing )bstacles including a see-saw, steps and a tilt tide. Event visitor Elm Lillywhite, who drives . 4x4 as part of his jobs summed up the general view:" The Edge was really good."

Nissan's latest SUV, the Pathlinder, was in action for the first time on The Edge, where it was joined by itsTerrano and Navarra stablemates.The Pathfinder has a 2,5-litre DCi diesel producing 174hp with 403Nm of torque. Innovations included a dashboard-mounted rotary switch for selecting 4WD, replacing the traditional transfer lever.

The Pathfinder's front-end styling will be carried across into the new Navara, which is due to make an appearance in the UK within the next couple of weeks.

Ford's Ranger pickup and Mazda's BSeries vehicles also featured strongly, with the Mazda team reporting a surge in interest from operators who had seen the Mazda doing its stuff on The Edge."A lot of people didn't realise we were in the pickup market," we were told. The 4x4 line-up was completed by Santana's Work4orce. which has just been named 'Best 4x4' by a leading off-road magazine,joining the CM Testers' Choice award it took last year. The Work4orce is aimed squarely at the commercial end of the market (Santana is also launching the Life4orce as a tough 4x4 for leisure purposes). A spokesman remarked that SED was a particularly good event for the Work4orce:-People at this event like its'does what it says on the tin' practical approach."

Mounty in the spotlight Moffett Kooi was in the Truckzone to spotlight the latest off-road Mounty which can reach the far side of a trailer from one side to speed up loading and unloading.

Stands within the Truckzone also had a busy three days. John Hawkins, who runs LDV sales for local dealership Brian Currie. reported plenty of interest in the new Maxus:"A lot o people are very surprised as it's light years ahead of the Convoy."

The Freight Transport Association, which was attending SED for the first time,fielded plenty Aqueries,according to marketing specialist Pippa Attwood: We are focusing on giving more information to people in the construction and plant sector.The FTA has about 500 members in that sector," she added. •