Peter Vosper: Business on show to visitors at Devon and Cornwall shows

Devon County Show opens on May 15th for three days, and the Royal Cornwall Show follows on 5 June, also for three days.

These county shows have the best of agriculture, horticulture, canine, equine and small animal exhibitors from the area and beyond. These shows are so popular they attract exhibitors from all over the country, and the Royal Cornwall is the largest annual event in the county, so it is no surprise they attract many different businesses keen to show their products to the many visitors.

The motor business needs space to do this and are major supporters of these shows, and it means visitors can find out about new products and what is on offer. This is an opportunity not only for business users but also for private buyers to check out cars and commercial vehicles from both national and local businesses with a wide range of brands. Vertu, Vospers, City West Country, Isuzu (UK), Snows Toyota, Speedwell Kia and Subaru UK will be at the Devon County Show, for example.

This event comes with the news that after the best March month since Covid, April fell back and was 12.4 per cent down on last year, with the only segments to increase being the pure electric and plug-in hybrids, where sales were up by 8.4 per cent and 34.1 per cent, respectively.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said: “April’s performance is disappointing but expected after March’s surge. Another month of growth for electric vehicles is good news; however, even if demand remains below ambition. Recent government adjustments to flexibilities and compliance within the ZEV mandate are welcome and an important first step in relieving some of the pressure on the market and manufacturers.”

The changes to the requirements for the light commercial vehicle sector, which allow diesel and petrol products to remain until 2035, came too late to help any immediate recovery in April’s market. Sales were down 14.9 per cent, the fifth consecutive month of decline. Demand for new vans of all sizes softened, while 4x4s and pick-ups enjoyed growth, but the tax changes to double cabs risk further decline. Although the electric vehicle share grew dramatically in the month, the share was just half of the 10 per cent mandated in 2025.

More investment is needed in charging infrastructure if the government is to convince van operators that electric is the way forward, which we all acknowledge makes sense for cleaner air in our cities, towns and villages. Local planning must help, along with more affordable energy costs, to gain these benefits for us all.

All businesses rely on deliveries, and as more individuals shop online, private customers are adding to the number of vans and journeys, plus, of course, many of our small service operators who carry equipment and tools for the job. 38 van models powered by electricity are now available on the UK market, so product is not the issue.

There is still a lot to do.