It’s certainly a van that’s pushed at the boundaries of innovation, versatility and efficiency amongst LCVs. Since it was first launched in 1978, it has introduced ground-breaking innovations that have led the sector: from the adoption of a truck-derived chassis with rear traction and independent front suspension and the pollutant reducing EGR technology to the introduction of Common Rail technology in 1999 – both world firsts – or the advanced Electronic Stability Program (ESP) for regulating vehicle handling during steering and braking.

Over the decades since its launch, the Daily has constantly evolved to meet the changing needs of customers, spawned countless versions, and has led the way with its efficient and environmentally friendly technologies, as these demands have become increasingly critical to the transport sector.

To this date, it is ahead of the industry in sustainability thanks to the its latest evolution, the Daily Blue Power: a vehicle family that eases up transport operators from the constraints of the strictest environmental regulations and was awarded the title of “International Van of the Year 2018”.

The story of this unique van range begins when IVECO was originally formed in 1975 through the merger of Italy’s Fiat Veicoli Industriali and Lancia Veicoli Speciali as well as the Fiat-absorbed OM brand along with France’s Unic and Germany’s Magirus-Deutz, although other commercial brands would later be incorporated into the IVECO mix.

At the start there were more than two hundred models and versions under the IVECO umbrella and a big rationalisation got underway as well as a focus on developing new technology. The Daily van would in fact be the first big project to be launched by the new IVECO company and remain one of its key selling models over the next forty years.

The Daily’s design phase started in 1973. The challenge was transferring the structural configuration of a truck with separate chassis and rear drive, into a vehicle with a reduced size.

This basic concept, which had been already applied to Daily's ancestors the Fiat 616 and Fiat 40, meant successfully solving the apparent contradiction between high load capacities and smaller LCVs.

In addition to sturdiness and durability, this design guaranteed broad opportunities for transformations and installations, given that the body was conceived as a mere container with no load bearing functions. Physical separation of body and mechanicals also improved sound-proofing and vibration dampening while rear drive ensured optimum traction under all load conditions. It had all the ingredients of a winning design.

Launched in 1978 the first-generation model, which remained in production until the turn of the century, was also badged and sold by Fiat (as the “Fiat Daily”) for the first five years of its life as the seamless successor to Fiat’s 616N and 35/40NC.

It was also famously rebadged by Alfa Romeo, receiving the iconic ‘heart’ grille and dubbed the AR8. It was also badged as an OM (the former Brescia-based commercial vehicle manufacturer that had been incorporated into IVECO at its foundation) and sold as the “Grinta” while Yugoslavian carmaker Zastava, which had a technical collaboration with Fiat, sold it also the “Rival”.

Meanwhile in Germany the new Daily came badged by Magirus-Deutz, another company to have been brought into the IVECO mix at its birth, while in France it was branded by Unic as there was a focus on leveraging the recognition of the brands that formed the merged entity in the early days and continuing to use their ongoing standalone structures.

The first-generation model came with a reliable and robust 2.5-litre diesel engine that offered 72 hp and 141 Nm in two specification levels, the “35” and “50”, abbreviations for their load capacities of 3.5- and 5-tons respectively.

A 4x4 version came along in 1984 and a 95 hp/217Nm turbodiesel was added the next year, dubbed the “TurboDaily”. The turbo engine was a real breakthrough at the time of its release, with a 28% improvement in power output and a 42% increase in peak torque compared to its predecessor. The engine noise was reduced, thanks to a new intake duct and technical measures to improve the driving conditions.

In 1990 a facelift arrived that featured new upholstery in the passenger compartment, a new steering wheel and a new front clip but with IVECO having recently entered into a joint venture agreement with Ford Europe’s trucks division the Daily was withdrawn from the UK market to avoid overlap with the Ford Cargo.

A new 2.8-litre engine was added to the carried over 2.5-litre unit. The Daily was also the first vehicle to be launched with EGR technology that reduced pollution emissions.

Two years later the first Daily came off the production lines at IVECO’s Valladolid Plant in Spain as production expanded out of Italy.

At the turn of the century a new second generation Daily was shown for the first time at Jerez de la Frontera in Spain and dubbed the 'S2000". This was a completely new vehicle, yet respectful of the original concept.

There was a broadened range availble to customers too as it got both smaller and bigger – as 2.8 and 6.5 ton load versions were added to keep the Daily as a van that was all things to all people.

The new lighterweight versions featured single wheels and a chassis with a special suspension. The versions fitted with twin rear wheels continued to be installed with the chassis of the outgoing model.

This continuity was especially important since private owners or commercial operators who were going to replace the their previous-generation vans, could immediately reuse any special fittings with no extra requirements for any special adaptations to be made.

The second generation Daily came with the 2.8-litre engine. New technology included fitting “Common Rail” and a variable geometry turbocharger. A new 2.3-litre engine would be added to the range in 2003 and a 3.0-litre a year later with the long running 2.8-litre unit then gradually phased out.

It also added an automatic version (dubbed “Agile”) for the first time and a “CNG” option, with compressed natural gas going on to be a key power option for the Daily in the future, as well as across the IVECO portfolio.

Importantly, the new second generation Daily was very well received by the commerical vehicle sector and won the prestigious “International Van of the Year” award for the first time in 2000.

Meanwhile, production started outside of Europe, firstly in Brazil in 2000 as the first generation van range started being assembled there. Then in 2004 production commenced in China.

With very utilitarian looks, famed Italian car design Giugiaro was tasked to give the Daily a makeover in 2006 and he imbued a much smoother, rounded and more ‘aerodynamic’ feel.

ESP was introduced during this facelift while the 2.3 and 3.0 engines continued but the 3.0 “CNG” version was improved as IVECO started to push the van range’s environmental credentials ahead of the curve and the “EcoDaily” tag was launched for the first time. A 4x4 version re-joined the range, this option having slipped out of production.

In 2007 the Daily’s production plant in Suzzara, Italy, where it has been manufactured since inception and until today, achieved World Class Manufacturing (WCM) status.

There were eye-catching novelties too and a very unusual journey by a Daily was completed in 2008 when an experimental amphibious vehicle from Iveco, created by Milan-born engineer Maurizio Zanisi based on the first generation Daily 4x4, successfully crossed the Corsica Channel.

The voyage marked a continuation of the cruise along the River Po made the previous year by the equally-unique amphibious Fiat Panda Terramare, which was also developed by Zanisi. The specially adapted Daily made the 75 nautical mile (equating to approximately 140 km) crossing in just under 14 hours.

In 2009 the Daily got a a useful recognition boost as a special fitted out version joined the “Overland” caravan: the Daily 55S18WD 4x4 by 5.5 T with a double cab set up by Onnicar Commercial Vehicles of Corneliano d'Albam in Cuneo.

There were more novelties to come in 2009 with the launch of the EcoDaily Electric, that offered zero emissions with a power of 60 Kw and 230 Nm of maximum torque for a useful range of 120 km at full load.

In 2010 the 2 million production mark was passed before a year later there was another restyling with the front end redesigned to accommodate a new grille, a new advanced cooling system, new front lights that integrated daytime running lights (DRL) and the fog lights.

Under the bonnet of the facelift version 3-litre Euro 5 FPT Industrial engine became the most powerful 4-cylinder diesel in the category thanks to its 205 hp with a maximum torque of 470 Nm.

Due to the adoption of two turbochargers, one compact and with low inertia to guarantee a prompt response from the lowest regimes, and a larger one to provide maximum performance, higher torque and power are obtained, with lower emissions and consumption.

In 2014 the latest third generation Daily was launched and continued with the 2.3 and 3.0 litre engines while it primarily focused on the front clip and cabin improvements.

Highlights of the new model included the Daily HI-MATIC which featured a ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic transmission bringing reduced fuel consumption with a more comfortable and safer ride with it.

In 2016 the Daily achieved Euro 6 compliance with improved versions of the 2.3 and 3.0 litre engines, offering 210 hp and 470 Nm, saving up to 12% fuel compared to predecessors.

Last year saw the launch of the environmentally-friendly "Daily Blue Power" range which promptly won the industry-benchmark “International Van of the Year” award.

Meanwhile in China the latest generation version, called the "New China Daily", was crowned "Van of the Year China 2018" following rigorous testing and a visit to the NAVECO Qiaolin Plant (where it is manufactured for Chinese and Asian markets) by a panel of senior commercial vehicle journalists, industry users and third-party testing organisations. 

The “New China Daily” range, which started rolling off the Qiaolin production lines in July last year, comes with four different chassis and twenty-seven types of body as well as the latest powertrain system in European versions and the F1 engine family, namely the 2.3 and 3.0 units.

It’s built by NAVECO (the joint venture between Nanjing and IVECO) following an investment of 1.8bn RMB in a brand new state-of-the-art 843,000 sq m plant that will increase NAVECO's production capacity from 40,000 to 100,000 vehicles a year. It is a world-class green operation using solar photovoltaic and recycling solutions. NAVECO aims to reduce energy consumption by 30 per cent and increase per capita output value by 25 per cent.

The production of the major components such as engines, suspensions and gearboxes are concentrated in one location to maximise efficiency and engine production is ninety per cent automated. High precision welding is carried out by more than 130 robots. It all gives the Daily a robust platform to tackle the Chinese market and hopes are high that it can also begin exports to other Asian markets.

Meanwhile IVECO Defence Vehicles has long developed a version for military use and a first generation-based model, the VM90, has seen operation with nearly twenty countries around the world in three versions, the “VM 90T Torpedo” with a truck-style tarpaulin rear cover, the “VM 90P Protetto” (Protected) which comes with a light armour body and the “VM90 Ambulanza” equipped with an ambulance body and associated ancillaries. More than 18,000 units of the VM90 have been sold worldwide over the last 30 years.

In 2016 IVECO Defence Vehicles launched a brand new version based on the new third generation Daily, called the MUV (Multi Utility Vehicle) which is designed to offer a maximum payload of 4 tons. It comes in van and crew-cab (single and double) configurations that are designed to accommodate every possible requirement, and a maximum of 14+2 personnel with equipment can be transported and rapidly deployed. The offering is broad and diverse to suit a range of different missions.

There is also a protected version of the new-generation Daily minibus option developed by IVECO Defence Vehicles for Homeland Security use, to transport riot police.

Pierre Lahutte, IVECO Brand President, commented on the anniversary of the Daily: “This year we are celebrating an important milestone in the life of the Daily – a family of vehicles that has been ahead of the industry right from its beginning, and 40 years on is spearheading the industry’s transition to sustainable transport.

"Throughout its long history, it has enjoyed enormous success with transport operators and industry experts alike, reaping numerous awards across the world," he continued. "It is a vehicle family that has always looked to the future, and has known how to anticipate our customers’ needs while remaining true to its core values of versatility, reliability and efficiency – always the perfect partner for our customers’ business and environmental sustainability.”  

Today the third generation Daily is a vehicle still at the forefront of the industry, with a success built on its historical strengths that make up its DNA – starting from its unique chassis frame, which gives it the robustness and versatility it is known for.

The load-bearing structure with ‘C’ shaped, special steel cross-members, is the best platform for bodybuilders to adapt for the most diverse missions – including special vehicles such as motorhomes, couriers, waste collection, tippers, cranes, public services, tow trucks and ambulances. It has gained recognition for its unique features, such as rear wheel drive and the 4x4 version. 

It offers the widest line-up in the industry ranging from 3.3 right up to 7.2 tonnes of gross vehicle weight, and from 7.3 m3 up to 19.6 m3 cargo volumes. Its advanced features use technology to push the boundaries of performance, raise comfort to a new level, deliver more connectivity and lower its TCO (Total Cost of Ownership).

With the Blue Power family, the Daily leads the way in sustainability, anticipating the future with the most advanced diesel and alternative traction technologies: the Daily Euro 6 RDE 2020 Ready, the first LCV ready for 2020 Real Driving Emissions regulations; the Daily Hi-Matic Natural Power, the first CNG vehicle with an 8-speed automatic gearbox in the LCV industry; and the zero-emissions Daily Electric.

IVECO Daily: History Timeline

1978: The first Daily is a 17 cubic metre van with 210 cm interior height – the first in the industry – powered by a 2.5 litre diesel engine.
1984: The family is extended with the arrival of the first Daily 4x4.
1985: The TurboDaily is the first light commercial vehicle to introduce turbodiesel technology.
1992: The first unit comes off the assembly line of the Valladolid Plant in Spain.
1996: The Daily offering is extended, now with a choice of two engines: the 2.5 litre turbodiesel and a new, more powerful 2.8 litre engine.
1998: The EcoDaily is the first light commercial vehicle featuring a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) engine.
1999: the second generation Daily reaches the market and is immediately crowned “Van of the Year 2000” – it is the first vehicle in the industry to introduce Common Rail technology.
2000: Production begins in Brazil, in addition to the manufacturing plant in Suzzara.
2004: The Daily family is extended again, with a more powerful offering featuring a 3.0 litre turbodiesel engine reaching up to 176 hp.
The same year, production of the Daily begins also in China. 
2006: New design and introduction of ESP (Electronic Stability Programme), which regulates vehicle handling during steering and braking.
2009: the wide line-up extends further to include a 7-ton version. 
The innovative Daily Electric is launched.
2010: The Daily reaches the milestone of 2 million units sold in the world.
2014: The third generation Daily is launched and immediately crowned “Van of the Year 2015: The line-up adds the brand new Daily Hi-Matic, featuring IVECO’s class-exclusive 8-speed automatic transmission that immediately becomes a best seller.
2016: The Daily Euro 6 arrives and adds advanced features such as the intelligent EcoSwitch PRO system that automatically reduces torque when needed without driver intervention, reducing fuel consumption with no compromise to productivity. It also introduces a new level of connectivity with its revolutionary app, "Buisness Up". 
2017: The sustainable Daily Blue Power family enters the market with the unique offer of three technologies – electric, natural gas and the most advanced diesel technology on the market that meets 2020 Real Driving Emissions regulations three years ahead of time. It crowned “Van of the Year 2018”.

Photos: IVECO Daily 1978-2018