NUFAM 2025 underscores its role as the most important trade fair of the year

From last-mile solutions to 40-tonne trucks, from specialist presentations to demo parks, from a comprehensive overview to detailed tours – NUFAM 2025, which took place from 25 to 28 September, showcased the entire portfolio of the commercial vehicle industry.

The Karlsruhe Trade Fair Centre recorded an increase in reach: around 24,000 visitors from 37 countries travelled to NUFAM to gather information, do business and see commercial vehicles in action.

"NUFAM 2025 impressively underlined that the trade fair is the most important platform of the year for the commercial vehicle industry. Our 430 exhibitors, representing the top brands, came from 23 countries this year. The Karlsruhe Exhibition Centre has once again succeeded in significantly strengthening the appeal of the Karlsruhe TechnologyRegion. Anyone who plays a role in the European commercial vehicle sector can no longer ignore Karlsruhe," says Britta Wirtz, Managing Director of the Karlsruhe Exhibition Centre.

This is confirmed by Simon Merkel, Sales Manager Stuttgart, MAN Sales Region South at MAN Truck & Bus Germany. Referring to NUFAM, he says: ‘We have already had many successes and concluded numerous orders. Trade fairs such as NUFAM are simply invaluable because of the customer contacts they generate.’

NUFAM is proving itself to be a platform with high sales benefits in challenging times.

Ernst Gaugenrieder, Conversion Sector Manager at Nissan Germany, which mainly has light commercial vehicles in its portfolio, confirms this: ‘The current market is very competitive. There is a real price war going on. This makes NUFAM all the more important for us. We can showcase our entire product range and our latest products. This is well received. We were able to make sales.’

This statement is underlined by the survey conducted at NUFAM. According to the survey, 82 per cent of visitors were trade visitors. This figure has risen again.

SAF-HOLLAND, a manufacturer of axles and chassis-related components, is exhibiting at NUFAM for the eighth time: "At NUFAM, we always make new and, above all, high-quality contacts. We are delighted that the trade fair is growing steadily. There is also a great deal of interest from the press in the commercial vehicle trade fair and in our products. We will definitely be back in two years' time," says Stephan Kleinschnitz, Head of Marketing EMEA.

The growing press interest in Messe Karlsruhe and NUFAM is underlined by the 140 accredited journalists and more than 63 million mentions in journalistic articles and on social media in the past four months alone.

Sascha Ziehl, Managing Director of Ziehl Trucks (Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks), also draws a positive conclusion: ‘NUFAM in Karlsruhe is located directly in our sales area and is an absolute must. Here we meet exactly our target group, the decision-makers, the entrepreneurs, the drivers, the fleet managers. We had good, very interesting discussions and have already received a lot of positive feedback.’

From electric to hydrogen drive

The commercial vehicle trade fair focused on alternative drive systems, which are considered a key technology for the transformation of the industry. Almost every vehicle manufacturer brought battery-powered models alongside conventionally powered models. Visitors were given a special insight into the field of hydrogen drive. The Hydrogen Engine Alliance, supported by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Bosch, Mahle and Daimler Truck, among others, demonstrated the possibilities offered by this type of drive system in a two-day special exhibition.

"Alternative drive systems are the future of the commercial vehicle industry. NUFAM 2025 clearly demonstrated this. It is amazing to see the innovative power of our exhibitors. I found it particularly exciting to learn about the possibilities offered by hydrogen engines. This type of drive system is probably the least known of the alternatives to date. However, over the past few days, it has been very clear to see how much interest visitors have in hydrogen, but also in renewable drive systems in general," says Jochen Bortfeld, project manager at NUFAM.

Technically convincing

Visitors gained concise yet detailed technical insights at the Digital Services and Charging@NUFAM forums, which focused on charging infrastructure. The audience gained valuable insights: "I found the format with short, concise 15-minute presentations very successful and entertaining. It allows you to listen to several presentations and gain a lot of knowledge in a short time," says Marie Simon from telematics manufacturer Abona.

"I'm here because I'm very interested in electric vehicles and the appropriate charging infrastructure. I wanted to find out what's on offer in this area. That's why I think the Charging@NUFAM forum, which spends a whole day on this topic, is great. Otherwise, the trade fair here covers a very broad spectrum," says Michael Heinrich from Danfoss Drives.

The varied trade fair programme included specially designed tours for different visitor groups. ‘Classic’ gave visitors a comprehensive overview of NUFAM and the industry. ‘Kommunal’ provided information to interested parties from local authorities about municipal vehicles, and ‘New Mobility’ focused on alternative drive systems.

Live and in colour

The Demo Park was a popular attraction for visitors. Here, exhibitors showed their vehicles in action. The moderated demonstrations were very well attended throughout and took place on the Peter Gross Bau site. The new outdoor area at Messe Karlsruhe was used for the first time during one of its own trade fairs.

"In the run-up to NUFAM, I was excited to see how our new outdoor area would be received. After NUFAM, I can say that the Peter Gross Bau site delivered what it promised. The Demo Park was a big hit with visitors. The exhibition space for our companies was designed in such a way that they could present themselves in the best possible light," says Beate Frères, division manager at Messe Karlsruhe.

Exhibitors also gave a positive assessment of the new outdoor area – such as Marius Spitzmüller, managing director of crane and truck expert Haas GTL: "The outdoor area is excellently designed. I also think the parking situation is good. Visitors park at the Peter Gross Bau site and pass by our stand in the morning. This means that we have a lot of high-quality discussions. Among the people who come to our stand are many decision-makers and many of our trade and vehicle manufacturing partners."

Specialised programme for truckers

NUFAM is specially tailored to the needs of drivers. The Truck Driver Forum focused on the shortage of truck parking spaces in Germany and Vision Zero, the goal of eliminating truck accidents in the future. This goal is also shared by the Hellwach mit 80 km/h initiative, which presented its cause – preventing accidents at the end of traffic jams – at NUFAM.

‘I am a truck driver myself and have driven both large and small trucks for many years. We are at NUFAM to see what's new. What I particularly like about NUFAM is that you can test drive the vehicles yourself,’ says Michael Fischer from Strasbourg.

Date set for 2027

NUFAM 2025 was a complete success. This is underlined by a satisfaction rate of 93 per cent among visitors. Exhibitors also made active use of the rebooking option. Numerous big names in the industry have already submitted their registrations for NUFAM 2027, which will take place from 23 to 26 September.