15.04.2004 NEW 146 BHP DUCATO 2.8 JTD POWER AND THE REVISED DOBLO CARGO WILL LEAD FIAT'S LIGHT COMMERCIAL LINE UP AT THE 'TRANSPOTEC LOGITEC 2004' IN VERONA
April 22 is the opening day of the ninth edition of 'Transpotec Logitec', the
transport motor show.
This year, the event has been officially recognised by the
International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), a prestigious
international manufacturers' certification seal of approval granted to only two
other events in Europe: the Hanover show (Germany) and the Amsterdam show
(Holland).
This international event will bring together sector professionals and major
manufacturers of commercial and light commercial vehicles. Fiat Auto has always
played a major part in this market and will be present at the event with several
new products this year.
This significant presence reveals how much new attention the light commercial
vehicle category is currently receiving from public and trade press. The
commercial vehicle market has boomed in recent years: demand was 1,360,000 units
in 1995 and rose to 1,950,000 units in 2000. Despite an uncertain financial
climate and fluctuations in various markets, demand remained very high even over
the last three years and has remained at levels over 1,800,000 more recently.
Leading sector analysts also predict good growth potential in the next few
years. Town traffic restrictions applicable to heavy vehicles, increasingly
tough regulations on perishable goods transport, increased delivery frequency
now that all operators are tending to reduce their stocks (for just-in-time
deliveries) and increased demand for home deliveries due among other factors to
purchases made over the internet ensure that this sector will continue to
develop with growing market demand that will remain sustained in the long term.
Fiat Auto wishes to play a key role in this scenario. The company has worked to
achieve a good strategic position in recent years and achieved great success.
Nowadays our vehicles are produced in five countries and marketed in more than
80. And more. Market share has increased decisively in a few short years: in
Italy, it rose from 36% in 1995 to 41.4% in 2003 with an increase of no less
than 5.4 percentage points while the percentage in the rest of Europe rose from
5.3% in 1995 to 7.3% in 2003. This true record gained it the second place
overall (11.4%) in the European brand sales league table.
Last year alone, Fiat Light Commercial Vehicles recorded sales of 210,000 that
represented 15% of sales of all Fiat Auto brands in Europe. This figure was
complemented by more than 66,000 units sold in other parts of the world from
Brazil to Turkey, to name just the most important countries.
Major targets have been achieved due to a well balanced model mix and
superlative performance by the Ducato that now accounts for 47% of Fiat Light
Commercial Vehicle sales, followed by the Doblò (23%), the Scudo with 11% and,
lastly, the Strada and the Vans (some 20%.)
To consolidate its Italian leadership and to ensure steady European growth, Fiat
Light Commercial Vehicles has set out three key strategies: investment in new
products, organisation and growth in the Dealer network.
Firstly, investment. The past two years have seen major product renewal
campaigns: the Ducato in 2002; the Fiat Strada and all the Vans in 2003; and
this year the Doblò Cargo MY 2004, the New Scudo and new engines for the Ducato
and Stilo Multi Wagon Van.
The second key strategy concerns organisation. A new LCV Business Unit has been
set up that will operate from March as an independent organisation complete with
all the resources required to manage the business: engineering, production,
quality and marketing and sales.
The third key strategy in the Fiat Commercial Vehicle BU strategy concerns the
sales network. We are currently increasing the professional level of dealers in
terms of structures, human resources and aftersales services. Suffice it to say
that since 2001, the European specialised commercial vehicle network increased
from 700 to 850 dealers with the further aim of achieving 930 by the end of
2005. More than 90% of sales will be channelled through these outlets.
These sales results and our many organisational projects are backed by the
vitality of a Brand that has always been able to interpret customers' needs by
renewing its vehicle range to meet their expectations. The Light Commercial
Vehicle range is one of the most comprehensive and diverse on the market: from
the tiny Panda Van to the Ducato Maxi.
Outstanding among the many new products planned for 2004 and on show at Verona
is the Doblò Cargo MY 2004 equipped with the 1.3 Multijet engine, a veritable
distillate of miniaturised technology: only 130 kg in weight and minimal
dimensions. This automotive engineering gem develops a maximum power output of
70 bhp and a torque of 180 Nm. This power unit is designed for an effective
lifetime of 250,000 km and boasts ultra-low running costs: fuel consumption has
been slashed by 30% compared to the 1.9 aspirated diesel (only 5.5 l/100 km over
a combined cycle). The oil change intervals have also been increased from 10,000
to 30,000 km. When you do the sums, you save some 660 euros if you cover 30,000
km in a year.
The Doblò Cargo MY 2004 is now also available in a new 7-seater Combi version
designed for customers who seek the greatest functionality and practicality with
great value for money. This compact van can adapt to innumerable service
situations with its modular seats. It is the ideal vehicle for customers who
need to perform a mixture of activities at work (transport of goods and people).
The second new product that will attract attention in Verona is the Ducato
equipped with a top-performing power unit: a 2.8 JTD with variable geometry
turbocharger, an engine that delivers no less than 146 bhp, 19 bhp more than the
current 2.8 JTD. The torque curve is worthy of note: a practically constant 310
Nm from 1500 to over 3000 rpm. This means improved acceleration, pick-up,
handling and fuel consumption. Definitely the ideal vehicle for people who have
to drive long distances with a full load. An extra card up the sleeve of a
commercial vehicle appreciated throughout Europe for its attributes of
reliability, sturdiness, flexibility and running economy.
These two major new products are flanked on the stand by the new Fiat Stilo
Multi Wagon in a 4-seater configuration with truck approval (N1), from now on
also equipped with the powerful 140 bhp 1.9 Multijet - and the Fiat Strada, an
up-to-date, appealing looking Pick Up that also offers long cabin versions and 3
engines including the lively 80 bhp 1.9 JTD.
Another part of the stand is devoted to minimum environmental impact vehicles:
Fiat Punto, Fiat Ducato and Fiat Doblò Cargo Natural Power, all with dual fuel
petrol/methane power units.
Inside the exhibition area, the public can also admire 6 more vehicles in the
range that represent only a proportion of the innumerable vehicle customisation
possibilities.
The range runs from mobile workshops to box vehicles, insulated vehicles and
vehicles with refrigerated chambers. The conversion sector is growing steadily:
suffice it to say that one out of three vehicles undergoes conversion in segment
2, where Fiat Auto is present with the Ducato and Scudo. The Verona show
therefore exhibits some Fiat Ducato conversions to indicate the model's great
ability to adapt to the requirements of very different applications: mobile
shops, vehicle repair workshops or workvehicles. Heating engineers or plumbers
are the target customers of the Ducato mobile workshop: the workshop can be
driven to sites where repairs are required to systems or large working vehicles
such as trucks, construction machinery etc.
The Verona show would not have been complete without the vans, the smallest
light commercial vehicles in the Fiat range and ideal for light transport and
town distribution. This segment is represented by the New Fiat Panda Van, the
Fiat Seicento Van and Fiat Punto Van.
All these vehicles can be converted by the addition of equipment outside (such
as ladder holders) and inside (e.g. shelves, drawers, removable surfaces) to
allow the vehicles to be used as mobile workshops or small travelling stores.
Transpotec Logitec is therefore the right place to discover one of the most
comprehensive and diverse ranges on the market, a product range that has always
been able to interpret the true needs of customers and renew itself in line with
their expectations. This is the secret of the success achieved in recent years
by Fiat Light Commercial Vehicles.
Last but not least, visitors to the Verona show will be able to find out more
about the 'Fiat Professional for you' programme, a new service package that
supports customers for five years.