The 14th edition of EROAD Fleet Days made its third visit to the Mystery Creek Events Centre near Hamilton with just over 2000 delegates registering for the August 5-6 event.

The theme of Fleet Days continues to showcase professional vehicle fleet management with an emphasis on vehicle safety, driver training, new technology, and energy efficiency. It covers the light vehicle and heavy vehicle sectors.

Keynote speakers included former Prime Minister Sir John Key and Mark Law, CEO and Chief Pilot of Kahu Helicopters, who told the grim story of the Whakaari White Island eruption rescue.

Audiences listened to presentations from NZTA, Australasian NCAP and heard fleet operation background panel presentations from St John Ambulance, Fulton Hogan, Team Global Express, and Smart Environmental.

The heavy vehicle sector was represented by new truck distributors including Sime Darby Motors, Etrucks, Scania, Hyundai, JAC, Foton, Iveco, and Sinotruk.

A number of model upgrades were on display including a new 12-speed AMT now available on Hino 700 models along with an upgraded Escot-VII transmission for the UD Quon and a minor cosmetic change on the grille.

A New Zealand debut of the new rearview camera system on a flagship Volvo FH 16 780 which eliminates the need for mirrors.

Foton displayed its flagship 560hp Auman R with Euro 6 Cummins X13 powerplant while Hyundai had the recently introduced Euro 6 version of its Pavise medium-duty truck on show.

Etrucks had two examples of the battery electric Deepway tractor unit on show and Sinotruk NZ had a full Sitrak range on show including the 660hp C9 tractor and the G5 range which is proving a popular tipper and concrete mixer solution.

Test drives were available at the venue in Scania 45R and Volvo FH Electric BEV models along with a Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell truck.

Scania doubled down on the EV theme, teaming up its flagship BEV for test drives towing the Schmitz CargoBull S.KOe Cool electrified refrigerated semi-trailer.

Two new attractions were added to the Fleet Day programme this year which made the most of sunny winter weather at the Mystery Creek venue.

The BFGoodrich Tyres 4x4 course was kept busy for two days – not only with the latest utes being demonstrated but also Iveco NZ putting a customised Daily 4x4 through its paces on the test course.

A varied line-up of about 20 sharply-presented rigs competed in the inaugural Hankook Show & Shine with the overall winner being the 2025 Kenworth T909 of Matamata-based Ireland Earthmovers.

The green machine sparkled in the winter sunshine and claimed the $5000 winner’s prize with runner-up honours going to the recently restored Freightliner TLD120 of Alexander Group Transport.

Third place was the Scania race truck campaigned by Salter Motorsport.

Matt Buckle, EROAD’s Senior Enterprise Sales Manager – NZ says the expanded two-day format was a success.

“We were really pleased with how the new two-day format worked. We had more than 2,000 registered attendees for the event, and we genuinely can’t thank our exhibitors and sponsors enough for the support they put behind the event,” Matt says.

“The effort that went into the stands, displays and experiences was outstanding and really helped make Fleet Days what it was.

“One of the things that really stood out this year was the amount of interactive stuff happening around the venue. The MotorShare Supercar Experience, the BFGoodrich 4x4 Experience and the motorsport demonstrations from Mad Mike Whiddett, Hayden Paddon and Shaun Howard from Team Howard Drift were all really well received. It gave people plenty to see and do throughout the two days and created a great atmosphere around the event.

Matt says the two-day format proved beneficial for exhibitors.

“Having an extra day meant they could put more time, effort and logistics into their exhibition spaces, but more importantly, they had more time to spend with the people attending Fleet Days.

“We had a number of exhibitors tell us that the second day actually resulted in more meaningful conversations with attendees, as people had more time to slow down, have a proper chat and learn about what each business had to offer.”

It’s expected the 2027 event will build on the success of the two-day format.

“Probably the biggest endorsement we’ve had is the number of exhibitors already asking about booking for next year’s event — and we haven’t even locked the dates in yet!

“That tells us we’re definitely heading in the right direction with Fleet Days and that the two-day format is something we should continue with.”