Nearly 50,000 people visited Solutrans 2021. The final report
Solutrans 2021 was visited by nearly 50,000 people, quite stable compared to the last edition in 2019. The French Bodywork Federation (FFC), which organized the event, underlined that nearly all the events held in Europe see a decline of about 20 percent in terms of visitors. Furthermore, about 1,000 exhibitors participated in this year's trade fair, a higher figure compared to two years ago.
Solutrans 2021 closed the doors only a few days ago, on November 20. The final report issued by the organizers highlighted the figures of this edition, quite a peculiar one due to the current pandemic as well as other key issues that are affecting the truck business all over the world. Back to the figures, then, Solutrans 2021 was visited by nearly 50,000 people, quite stable compared to the last edition in 2019. The French Bodywork Federation (FFC), which organized the event, underlined that nearly all the events held in Europe see a decline of about 20 percent in terms of visitors. Furthermore, about 1,000 exhibitors participated in this year’s trade fair, a higher figure compared to two years ago.
We attended the exhibition and will report more in the next weeks about what we’ve seen and experienced in Lyon. A couple of months ago we had a very pleasant conversation with Jean Sébastien Guichaoua, the event’s director, who told us about this year’s focuses and commitment. Among the main novelties were the new Hall 1, named ‘Solutrans 4.0’, featuring disruptive innovation and new players in the sector in all fields, from engineering to training via industry. Also, the test track, extended and redesigned in response to demand from visitors and HGV and LCV manufacturers, enabled exhibitors to present their new energy vehicles (gas, hybrid, electric, fuel cell, etc.) in real life conditions.
Solutrans 2021: a report on energy transition
To illustrate the business climate and its stature as appreciated by governmental bodies, it is also worth highlighting the announcement made at the show by Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, Minister Delegate for Transport. Hauliers are set to receive €65 million of additional aid as part of a call for projects for ‘electric heavy vehicles’. This call for projects aims to increase the amount of subsidy per vehicle and finance up to 60% of the installation of charging terminals suited to the needs of hauliers. This aid will be made available at the beginning of 2022 to all the market players contributing to the deployment of electric transport and mobility, in particular logistics professionals. The conversion of combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles (retrofit) is also eligible.
Solutrans 2021 once again featured a number of highlights offering everyone the opportunity to exchange and enjoy time together in a warm and comfortable atmosphere, such as the I-nnovation Awards ceremony evening at the Groupama Stadium, home to the football club Olympique Lyonnais, or the Gala dinner. A very high number of guests participated in the prize-giving ceremonies of the Truck of The Year and Van of the Year Awards, the International Pick Up Award and the Truck Innovation Award, without forgetting the ceremony of the Industry Personality of the Year, which this year went to the chairmen of the haulier federations FNTR, OTRE and TLF. The next edition of SOLUTRANS will take place from 21 to 25 November 2023 at Lyon Eurexpo.
