Following hard on the heels of the news of a collaboration agreement between Fiat Auto and India's Tata Motors, comes an announcement that Iveco, Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT) and Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicles (TDVC) will strike up a partnership to build a new medium-weight truck for the Korean market.

Offering the power and space of a heavy truck in the medium size class; the Novus range of medium size trucks will be the most competitive vehicles in their class. They will come with the highest engine output, biggest deck size, the most spacious cabin, and trim levels as good as seen on passenger cars. The Novus will create a turning point in the Korean truck industry, by offering customers, for the first time, a wider choice in the medium size truck segment. It will be available in 4- 4.5- and 5-ton formats.

This new Novus range has been created after rigorous research and customer surveys were carried out for 30 months. This truck range thus truly reflects customer needs. It guarantees excellent quality, higher durability and matchless performance. Its safety features meet the European NCAP safety test requirements. Along with an improved power train and superior comfort, it will set a new benchmark in medium size trucks.

Unique features of the Novus include a high engine output from its Iveco NEF engine (5,880cc displacement), a unit with very good performance credentials in European markets. The power output of 240bhp and torque of 82 Kgm ensures powerful performance even in toughest of conditions. The common rail injection system meets Euro III standards, and can even meet Euro IV standard, to be implemented by 2008; has the widest loading space, is best in its class of vehicles; and is the best in its class for fuel efficiency.
 

The Novus will offer - for the first time in Korea - full floating air cab suspension and full air suspension seat to ensure more safety and comfort for drivers; as well as an aerodynamically designed cab exterior in line with European styling; a large front view glass windscreen, with a wide-angle view of 40.5 degrees; and one-touch power windows, a fully automatic Air-Con system, an MP3 CD player, along with modern and refined interiors, like that of a luxury passenger car. The Novus will be produced in the modern TDCV plant in Gunsan, around 250km south of the capital of South Korea, Seoul, while the Iveco NEF engine will be built in Turin, Italy. Iveco, FPT and TDCV are targeting grabbing a 30 percent share of the Korean market before pitching the Novus overseas.

"We are delighted to be able to announce a partnership in Korea with such an important manufacturer such as TATA Daewoo," said Mr Marco Perillo, Iveco Motors/FPTs' Key Accounts Manager for Far East Countries. "We are confident of being able to achieve our sales targets thanks to the high quality of the Novus chassis, coupled with the proven reliability of our NEF engines, of which over 100,000 units are manufactured and sold globally every year."

"Looking back on our activities so far, we are all very proud of the Novus," added Mr Ki-Hee Won, Managing Director of TDCV. "We have our sights firmly set on winning market leadership in Korea, and look forward to working closely with Iveco Motor and FPT to achieve great success together."