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Well, the International Truck, Trailer and Equipment Show is over for another two years and it’s a chance to look through the photos and reflect on what we saw over the three days of the Melbourne show. Timing wasn’t ideal, as the big truck manufacturers are not releasing the new 2011 lower emission models until later this year or early next year.

However, there was plenty of new and interesting things to see apart from the announcement of the new Cat branded highway trucks. Another new brand is also dipping its toes in the competitive waters of the Australian truck market. Foton, from China, are introducing a 4.5 tonne, Cummins powered model and displayed it at Melbourne.

The show is also a chance for the industry to show off, what it does, to the broader general public. Here is a BAB quad combination set up to scare the bejesus out of Melbourne car drivers. Unfortunately, there is no chance of one of these being allowed on the road within 1000 km of the city.

The new DD13 and DD15 engines from Detroit Diesel were on display for the first time and attracted some interest. Rumours are, the engine is making a good impression out on the highway, as well.

UD put this GW 480 at the front of their stand to emphasis the fact that the big fleets are starting to give them a go, when it comes to the heavy end of the truck market.

Scania are coming up with a new range of ready-to-go models like this. Note the curtain sider has the Ezi-liner system fitted where the curtains can be tightened automatically, saving turnaround time.

Kenworth are still number one in the heavy duty market and are changing the emphasis of their message this year. It’s all about fitting the latest in electronic safety equipment including collision avoidance and roll stability.

The Cummins ISX engine is now back where it belongs, in the Iveco Powerstar. The last ‘European’ style conventional now has the big red engine driving through the Eurotronic gearbox for a combination of grunt and smooth changing.

It’s been around for a while but the Isuzu B-double still looks good and brings home the message, they are really serious about the heavy duty market.