The 2025 Brisbane Truck Show opened as this month’s New Zealand Truck & Driver went to print. Here’s a quick wrap of the highlights revealed on the first morning of the May 15-18 show. Full coverage to come in the July issue.

Now in its 58th year  – and regarded as the largest heavy commercial vehicle expo in the Southern Hemisphere – the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show was expected to attract more than 40,000 attendees during its four day schedule.

The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre provided more the 35,000sqm of exhibition space with 22 major truck or engine brands and hundreds of other industry suppliers using the biennial showcase to debut new products.

Kenworth held the first Thursday morning press briefing and generated plenty of  headlines with the reveal of five model updates – the 15-litre Cummins-powered T620 and T620 SAR along with 13-litre PACCAR-engined T420 and T420 SAR, and a new generation T320.

The T620 is the successor to the T610 introduced in 2016 and is considered a mid-life update programme. The Euro 6 version of the Cummins X15 with up to 625hp and 2050 lb-ft of torque will power the T620 duo. Bold new air vents on the bonnet of the T620 are the most obvious visual exterior update along with a red ‘T’ on the model badging to denote the Euro 6 status.

The major interior upgrade across the new models is the PACCAR 15-inch digital driver display, and Smart steering wheel first introduced for the cab-over K220 models.

The first New Zealand-spec bonneted `20’ models are scheduled for September build slots with arrival in New Zealand during Q4 of this year.

The PACCAR stand also showcased the DAF XG+ powered by the new generation Cummins X15D developing 660hp. The truck has been developed for Australia’s prime mover segment and there are no plans at present to launch the 15-litre engine in New Zealand.

Daimler’s impressive stand had multiple highlights including the Australasian debut of the Mercedes-Benz Actros Pro Cabin. The truck on show is the first validation unit ahead of the Pro Cabin becoming available later this year.

There was also an early preview of the fifth generation Freightliner Cascadia in a camouflage colour scheme and no confirmed launch date for Australasia.

Another truck on show and currently undergoing evaluation tests was a Fuso Shogun with the power output lifted from 510 to 530hp. It will deliver higher GCM capability, and a further upgrade of safety and driver assist technology when it goes on sale next year.

Volvo’s show centrepiece was the flagship FH 16 with the new 17-litre 780hp engine in XXL cab configuration. It was flanked by the first Australian FMX Electric which is destined for work in West Australian mining and a FH Aero with the 13-litre I-Save powertrain.

On the Mack side of the Volvo Group display was a preview of the restyled Super-Liner in road train specification and equipped with the MP11 780hp 17-litre engine and a 70-inch `Big Bunk’ sleeper.

Isuzu was busy showing off its new generation N-Series and F-Series models which boast a range of new features that including a 9-speed dual clutch AMT for N Series models and a new 6.7-litre six-cylinder engine for the new generation F-Series.

Scania returned to the show after missing the 2023 event but its plan to display a battery electric prime mover were scuppered by the truck being delayed in shipping.

Iveco highlighted its 50th anniversary celebrations and its significant debut was the new Eurocargo medium duty truck, on show in 14t ML 140 E28 specification. The 6.7-litre 280hp engine is matched to an 8-speed ZF transmission and Iveco says it achieves a 4% fuel saving over the previous model.

Another newcomer that is being evaluated for the Australian market is the battery electric Hino Dutro  Z EV light truck while Hyundai Australia is following the lead of its Kiwi counterpart by trialling the XCIENT Fuel Cell electric truck.

A new truck brand was also launched at the show with DFAC Australia outlining plans for the light truck it will begin selling in Australia from September this year. 

DFAC was founded in 1969 and is China’s second largest truck brand. It already exports to 56 countries.

The DFAC Captain E is a Cummins powered Euro 6 light truck available in 4.5t and 6.0t GVM with 121kW/400Nm performance and a 6-speed automatic. A 9.5t DFAC model with a 176kW and 850Nm Cummins Euro 6 engine will launch in Australia from 2026.

Our full report on the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show and other Truck Week events will appear in the July issue.