Organisers promise that the Commercial Vehicle Show 2001 will be even better than this year's record-breaking event.

More than 200 companies attended a launch at the Birmingham NEC to hear about improvements planned for the show, which will run from March 20-22.

Longer opening hours, more space for exhibits and a preview day reserved for exhibitors and media to have exclusive access to the halls will add to the show's attractions, said show organiser Philip Jones.

Space-only stand rates have risen £2 per square metre while the price for shell scheme stands will be the same as this year's show. Mr Jones said that more than 22,000 professionals visited this year's show, which had 579 exhibitors.

“Visitors now have an extra hour in the halls as we're opening at 9am and not closing until 6pm. There will be better signage in the halls, making it easier to find your way around.

“There will still be free exhibitor parking, with regular shuttle buses to the halls.” To help companies exhibiting for the first time, a CV Show team will be running short courses on how they can get the most from the exhibition. Visitors to next year's show will be able to register online and there will be free entry.