Press Release

IVECO Trucks Australia Ltd. Announces Leadership Change

Wed, 18 Dec 2019 22:22:00 GMT

CNH Industrial, one of the world’s leading capital goods companies, today announced some key leadership changes within two of its major divisions.

Bruce Healy, who has been Managing Director of the Australia and New Zealand operations of IVECO Trucks Australia Ltd. since early 2018, has accepted the role of Brand Leader of another prominent CNH Industrial division – New Holland Agriculture.

Prior to joining IVECO, Mr Healy held the position of Brand Leader with IVECO sister brand – CASE IH. With a natural personal affinity for the rural communities, this new role will see him reconnecting heavily with the farming community and New Holland’s extensive range of agricultural products; from tractors and combine harvesters to balers and haytools.

“The last two years, working closely with IVECO staff and the dealer network, have been tremendously satisfying,” Mr Healy said.

“I believe we’ve laid the foundation for an exciting future and whilst I’m disappointed that I won’t be around to further contribute to our performance, I’m excited by the challenge and responsibility of leading New Holland into the future,” he said.

Replacing Mr Healy in the role of IVECO Managing Director will be Michael May. Mr May joins IVECO after a 20-year career with Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific where he most recently held the role of Director - Mercedes Benz Truck & Bus.

With a background in engineering and after-sales and having been Dealer Principal of two Melbourne-based Daimler truck dealerships, Mr May brings extensive leadership and industry expertise to IVECO.

Mr May joins IVECO at an exciting time with the recent introduction of the Heavy Duty Stralis X-Way range and the on-going success of the Daily Light Duty models. Further key product actions are planned for 2020.

The appointments of both Mr Healy and Mr May will take effect, on a transitional basis, from early 2020.

Final Euro 5 ACCO leaves IVECO production line – new Euro 6 ACCO coming soon

Mon, 18 Nov 2019 01:35:00 GMT

Recent celebrations at IVECO revolved around the much-loved ACCO range, as the last current generation, Euro 5 model unit left the assembly line at the company’s manufacturing facility in Melbourne.

Since its introduction in 1961, the ACCO (or AACO as it was known then, when manufactured on the A Line rather than today’s C line) has become a long-time favourite of the Australian and New Zealand trucking industries, being used in all manner of applications from light rigid to prime mover work and everything in between.

Initially developed from the International Mark 3 general service 4x4 vehicle and adapted for civilian use, the ACCO’s simple design and tough underpinnings saw widespread acceptance of the model which continues today.

The current shape ACCO was introduced in 1972 and was further developed on that platform culminating with the introduction of the Euro 5 2014 model year variants. Ever increasing emission and safety requirements meant that with the major changes introduced by 2014, the current model had reached its full development potential.

Amazingly, over its lifetime, the ACCO has undergone over 4,300 specification changes.

The celebratory event was attended by IVECO Australia staff and key component suppliers to the ACCO range over the years who received commemorative plaques; recipients included Alcoa Wheels, Cummins South Pacific, Dana Australia, Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres, Heavy Automatics, Hendrickson Asia Pacific, Hilton Manufacturing and Meritor HVS.

Addressing attendees were IVECO Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Bruce Healy, and IVECO Brand Ambassador Lloyd Reeman who has been involved with the ACCO model since the 1970s. Both spoke of the ACCO’s proud heritage and also advised that the last unit built will be retained by IVECO for posterity and for display at future events.

Both gentlemen also touched on the benefits of the new generation Euro 6 ACCO range, which will build on its predecessor’s reliability and durability benefits while introducing many new state-of-the-art features.

Scheduled to begin production in the first quarter of 2020, the new Euro 6 ACCO will continue to be manufactured in Australia having been developed specifically for Australia and New Zealand markets, to ensure it is fit for task.

The new models have undergone an extensive local development program, with several evaluation vehicles currently in year-long trials with key refuse customers, where they have performed exceptionally well according to feedback and performance benchmarking.

Initial models to be released are aimed at the vocational market, specifically for compactor and hook-lift bin applications which were a mainstay of the previous generation ACCO.

The new range introduces powerful, yet cleaner and more efficient Euro 6 engines coupled to the proven Allison full automatic transmissions. On the safety front, vehicles will feature a raft of standard technology including Adaptive Cruise Control, Advanced Emergency Braking System, Electronic Braking System with Brake Assistance, Electronic Stability Program and Daytime Running Lamps.

Operators wanting even more safety can select from options such as Hydraulic Retarder, Lane Departure Warning System, Driver Attention Support, a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and Xenon Headlamps.

The new ACCO also promises to further reduce its predecessor’s already impressive low total cost of ownership benefits, particularly in the area of fuel use. And, on selected Euro 6 configurations, the payload mass remains in the same region as the outgoing Euro 5 model – well within the industry benchmark of 10 tonnes.

We look forward to sharing further details of the new Euro 6 ACCO range early in 2020.

Uphire takes X-Way by IVECO

Mon, 28 Oct 2019 02:54:00 GMT

Leading Sydney-based hire company, ‘Uphire Equipment Specialists’, have taken delivery of a new IVECO Stralis X-Way 8x4, which is being used to deliver a wide range of its materials handling equipment to customers in metropolitan Sydney and further afield.

Uphire’s sister company, INNOV8 Equipment, a highly regarded manufacturer and supplier of traffic management products, widely uses IVECO Daily and Eurocargo models, particularly as platforms for its truck-mounted attenuator systems.

According to company Managing Director, Nigel McKinley, given the IVECO models’ strong performance with INNOV8 over the last two years and his solid relationship with the brand, purchasing the new X-Way was an easy decision.

“From a product perspective, our experience with IVECO has been very good, and furthermore, we’ve found that the service and support that’s provided by IVECO as a company, has also been excellent,” Nigel said.

“When we were looking for a larger vehicle to add to the Uphire fleet, we therefore turned to IVECO again.”

Based in Jamisontown in Western Sydney, Uphire provides hire and sales of equipment including vertical lifts, scissor lifts, knuckle boom lifts, telescopic boom lifts, spider lifts, forklifts, telehandlers and traffic equipment including solar light towers VMS boards and traffic vehicles.

The company is also a training provider, delivering a variety or recognised courses so that the users can safely and legally operate the machines on site.

Aside from vehicle-mounted traffic equipment such as attenuators, the X-Way is being used to deliver the remainder of this equipment around greater Sydney up to six days per week.

Uphire’s new X-Way features a Cursor 11 engine producing 460hp and 2150Nm of torque, producing ample output while still meeting Euro 6 (Step C) emissions levels. To meet these stringent requirements, IVECO uses a unique ‘Hi-SCR’ system, a single after-treatment system with passive Diesel Particulate Filter that doesn’t require driver intervention.

Compared to earlier Euro 5 Cursor engines, the new variants deliver a 50 per cent reduction in particulate matter and an 80 per cent reduction in nitrogen oxides.

The engine is matched to the new HiTroniX, 12-speed automated manual transmission which provides intuitive gear selection and seamless power delivery.

Nigel said that the X-Way’s environmental performance was another motivating factor in selecting this model.

“Our companies are driven by safety, innovation and compliance, so purchasing a vehicle with strong emissions credentials was also important for us,” he said.

“Similarly, safety is a key consideration both for the welfare of our own employees as well as other road users – the level of safety technology in the X-Way is impressive.”

Among its long list of safety benefits, the X-Way boasts an Electronic Braking System with Brake Assistance System, an Advanced Emergency Braking System, Electronic Stability Program, Adaptive Cruise Control and Hill Holder as standard, with additional equipment such as a Lane Departure Warning System, Hydraulic Retarder and Driver Attention Support available as options.

To make full use of the X-Way 8x4’s 45 tonne GVM, Uphire’s new truck is fitted with a high quality 9.6 metre Custom Transport Equipment tilt-tray, with 30,000 lb winch for easy loading and unloading of equipment.

The size of the tray also allows the Uphire team to more easily coordinate multiple drop-offs or pick-ups, minimising the need for the vehicle to return back to the depot once out on the road.

Although still new to the fleet, Nigel said that the X-Way was so far performing well.

“We’re receiving good feedback from our driver Steve, and the arrival of this larger truck on fleet is certainly making the delivery and collection task a lot more efficient for us,” Nigel said.

“Given the performance of the previous IVECO models we’ve used, I have every confidence that the new X-Way will also be a success.”

IVECO celebrates delivery of 90,000th AACO/ACCO

Fri, 04 Oct 2019 03:44:09 GMT

1 October, 2019

In 1962, the first civilian AACO (Australian A-line Cab Over) models left the production line at International Harvester’s Dandenong, Melbourne, production works. Some 57 years later, IVECO is celebrating the delivery of the 90,000th ACCO (Australian C-line Cab Over), a name change affected following a move from the ‘A’ to ‘C’ production line.

ACCO number 90,000, a 6x4 model, was handed over to long term IVECO customer, Solo Resource Recovery, a company that has purchased over 1000 ACCO trucks over the last 30 years.

In a small ceremony held last week at the end of the production line, IVECO Australia Business Director, Bruce Healy, presented the vehicle and a commemorative plaque to Solo Resource Recovery National Fleet Manager, David Hancock, while sharing his thoughts on the ACCO’s proud Australian heritage.

“It gives me much pleasure today to be part of celebrating a momentous milestone for the ACCO model, and for Australian commercial vehicle manufacturing as a whole,” Mr Healy said.

“The ACCO is an Australian transport industry icon and has proven to be a real survivor, as its longevity and high production numbers will attest.

“A combination of rugged construction, reliability, fit-for-purpose design and local engineering have made it a favourite for decades, particularly in demanding applications.”

With a new generation Euro6 ACCO shortly to be launched in Australia, Mr Healy said that IVECO was looking forward to building on the nameplate’s proud heritage well into the future.

“The new Euro6 ACCO will continue to be manufactured in Australia and will enjoy many of the same benefits that held its predecessors in good stead for so many years,” he said.

“To this proven equation we’re also adding the latest in emissions technology, safety features and driver appointments, making the next generation of truck an ACCO like no other.”

In receiving the 90,000th ACCO, David Hancock, said he was grateful for the excellent service that the ACCO range and IVECO had provided to Solo Resource Recovery over many years.

“The ACCO has been a staple of Solo Resource Recovery’s fleet nationwide for a long time,” Mr Hancock said.

“We operate 4x2, 6x4 and 8x4 ACCO variants in a range of compactor, hook lift, front end loaders, tankers, ‘RoRo’ (Roll-on / Roll-off) and rear loader operations, and currently have over 500 ACCO units in our fleet.

“There is a reason why we keep using these trucks – for the tough, start and stop work that is part and parcel of refuse collection, it’s difficult to go past the ACCO.

“The trucks are also straightforward to maintain, easy for bodybuilders to build on and the service we receive from IVECO in supporting the range is excellent,” he said.

Despite carrying the mantle of 90,000th ACCO, this new truck will not lead an easy life and will shortly go into service at Tweed Heads as a rigid tanker.

IVECO Australia

Iveco Australia manufactures and imports commercial vehicles spanning the light, medium and heavy duty truck segments and, under the Iveco Bus brand, buses and coaches. The commercial vehicle range includes on and off-road models beginning with car licence vans, through to prime movers rated at up to 90 tonnes GCM. The ACCO is developed and produced specifically for the Australian market, complement Iveco’s worldwide best sellers such as the Daily, Eurocargo, Trakker and Stralis. Iveco vehicles are ably supported by a dedicated network of over 60 dealerships and service outlets strategically located nationwide, offering aftersales services that include extended warranties, roadside assistance and programmed maintenance contracts.

Iveco’s Australian manufacturing base in Dandenong Victoria, represents a major investment in the local truck and bus industry. Iveco directly employs around 600 people nationwide and thousands more Australians in related industries, from retailing operations to component suppliers.

Iveco Iveco is a brand of CNH Industrial N.V., a World leader in Capital Goods listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CNHI) and on the Mercato Telematico Azionario of the Borsa Italiana (MI: CNHI). Iveco designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles, off-road trucks, and vehicles for applications such as off-road missions.

The brand’s wide range of products include the Daily, a vehicle that covers the 3 – 7 ton vehicle weight segment, the Eurocargo from 6 – 18 tons, the Trakker (dedicated to off-road missions) and the Stralis, both over 16 tons. In addition, the Iveco Astra brand builds off-road trucks, rigid and articulated dumpers as well as special vehicles.

Iveco employs close to 21,000 individuals globally. It manages production sites in 7 countries throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and Latin America where it produces vehicles featuring the latest advanced technologies. 4,200 sales and service outlets in over 160 countries guarantee technical support wherever an Iveco vehicle is at work.

For further information about Iveco: www.iveco.com
For further information about Iveco Australia: www.iveco.com.au
For further information about CNH Industrial: www.cnhindustrial.com

One of each IVECO for Track Excavations

Mon, 16 Sep 2019 04:33:00 GMT

After over 30 years in the construction and excavation industry, more recently Track Excavations proprietor, Daryl Crouch, decided to diversify – his truck fleet now includes models ranging from Stralis tippers and tautliners to ACCO compactors and even a Daily van.

With their Stralis ATi tippers featuring Sloane bodies and towing tag trailers, Daryl and his team remain a familiar site on housing estates and sub divisions in the Western Sydney growth corridor, but there’s also every chance that an ACCO compactor might be on site.

The excavation component of the business is predominantly involved in site preparation including site cuts and levelling, while the company’s two 6x4 ACCO compactors with rear-loading Bucher Municipal bodies are used to pick-up bins containing building waste.

A Stralis ATi 360 tautliner fitted with a Hiab crane and an 18m³ Daily 50C van then come to the fore transporting empty bins from one construction site to another once works are complete.

Daryl has been using IVECO trucks since 2005 when he first purchased a Stralis.

“We bought our first Stralis tipper and kept it for over 12 years, and during that time we didn’t spend much money on it at all,” Daryl said.

“So we’ve kept buying IVECO models over the years – they’ve proven to be reliable, cost effective and easy to maintain.”

But it’s not just the longevity and low total cost of ownership that Daryl enjoys, the IVECOs are also comfortable to drive and extremely quiet both in and outside the cabin.

“The Stralis models in particular are just so quiet, this is good when you’re working on new building estates in the early mornings, as it minimises the noise and disruptions to the residents already living in the general area,” Daryl said.

“To keep the noise down, we’ve also made the move from tracked to wheeled loaders, they’re quieter and there’s also a lot less wear and tear on footpaths and roads.”

Between the excavation and waste collection businesses, Daryl employs around 16 staff and said that his drivers enjoy their time in the IVECO trucks and van.

“At the start some of them want North American trucks but it doesn’t take them long to appreciate what the IVECOs provide,” Daryl said.

“The cabin comfort and low noise is excellent and the whole layout is very ergonomic, all the vehicles are either AMTs or automatic which means they can just get in and drive, it’s a lot more relaxed and stress-free.”

Given his several decades working with trucks, Daryl has over the years also owned some other European brands as well as several North American vehicles and said that the IVECO models compared very favourably.

“The fuel consumption we get from the IVECO models compared to some of the other trucks we’ve had in the past I’m very happy with,” he said.

“We do the minor maintenance items on the vehicles ourselves and it’s all straight forward with the IVECOs, it helps keep costs down; for anything bigger we go back to our local dealership Sydney Trucks and Machinery.

“The IVECOs are built to work and have served us well for many years,” Daryl concluded.

IVECO Australia announces dealership award winners

Tue, 27 Aug 2019 05:39:00 GMT

IVECO Australia announces dealership award winners

IVECO Australia has announced its highest achieving Dealers at a recent Awards Dinner on the Gold Coast, organised as part of the company’s annual Dealer Conference.

To ensure fair competition allowing Dealerships to compete against similar-sized outlets, competitors were divided into regional and metropolitan award categories, with IVECO allocating points based on a dealership’s performance across several business areas including: sales, service and parts departments, dealership staff participation in training initiatives and feedback from customer care programs.

This year’s competition was again closely fought with honours for Dealer of the Year – Metropolitan, being awarded to Newcastle IVECO, while Dealer of the Year – Regional was taken out by Coffs Harbour IVECO. Both of these facilities are owned and operated by the same dealer group.

The third major award of the evening was the announcement of Daily Dealer of the Year, a recently introduced category open to IVECO’s specialist Daily van and cab chassis dealerships. This accolade was won by Westar Truck Centre in Melbourne.

Andersen Truck and Trailer Repairs, took out the final award category of Dealer of the Year –Parts and Service.

The awards were presented to Newcastle IVECO / Coffs Harbour IVECO Dealer Principal, Alex Reynolds and Westar Truck Centre Dealer Principal, Anthony Long, by IVECO Australia Business Director, Bruce Healy, who thanked the winners for their excellent efforts in selling and supporting the IVECO brand in 2018.

Mr Reynolds who has only been in the Dealer Principal role since April this year, heaped praise on his predecessor.

“It gives me great pleasure in knowing that I have stepped into a fantastic team – the feeling of accepting awards for both regional and metropolitan Dealer of the Year is indescribable,” Mr Reynolds said.

“However I need to pay tribute to former Dealer Principal, Kevin Purcell. Kevin led the performance of both dealerships throughout 2018 to achieve Dealer of the Year.

“To be acknowledged as the best by IVECO at both dealerships in the same year speaks volumes for the dedication and effort of all our staff.”

In receiving Dealer of the Year – Daily, Westar Truck Centre Dealer Principal, Anthony Long, explained that the dealership had commenced with the IVECO franchise in August 2016, was a finalist in 2017 and that he was very pleased to have received the award in 2018.

“As a dealership we are very focused on being successful at everything we do,” Mr Long said.

“We were shortlisted for the award in 2017 and although we didn’t win, the team set its sights on going one better in 2018.

“Our first focus was to develop our presence in the light duty van and cab chassis market in Northern Melbourne; through local marketing, we successfully targeted a range of industries and customers in 2018, but the key to our ongoing success will always be ensuring that we understand and meet our customers’ needs and expectations.

“The award is recognition for the entire team at Westar Truck Centre, Campbellfield. Each department has in some way contributed to the achievement and our sales executive Scott Whiting has been particularly passionate about growing the brand presence within the local area.

“I also believe that the IVECO Daily product has a huge potential to meet the requirements of the light duty truck and LCV markets. These markets will continue to grow and the safety, performance, available options, comfort and quality of the Daily product sees it well placed to increase market share in the future,” Mr Long said.

A special guest at the Gala Dinner and awards ceremony was legendary retired NRL footballer, Billy Slater, who added more colour to the event and provided insight into his stellar playing career across league, NRL and State of Origin.

2018 IVECO Dealer of the year Award Recipients:
Dealer of the Year – Metropolitan: Newcastle Commercial Vehicles
Dealer of the Year – Regional: Coffs Harbour IVECO
Dealer of the Year – Daily: Westar Trucks, Melbourne
Dealer of the Year – Parts and Service: Andersen Truck and Tractor, Goondiwindi

IVECO Australia
Iveco Australia manufactures and imports commercial vehicles spanning the light, medium and heavy duty truck segments and, under the Iveco Bus brand, buses and coaches. The commercial vehicle range includes on and off-road models beginning with car licence vans, through to prime movers rated at up to 90 tonnes GCM. The ACCO is developed and produced specifically for the Australian market, complement Iveco’s worldwide best sellers such as the Daily, Eurocargo, Trakker and Stralis. Iveco vehicles are ably supported by a dedicated network of over 60 dealerships and service outlets strategically located nationwide, offering aftersales services that include extended warranties, roadside assistance and programmed maintenance contracts.

For further information about Iveco: www.iveco.com
For further information about Iveco Australia: www.iveco.com.au
For further information about CNH Industrial: www.cnhindustrial.com

IVECO to showcase firefighting credentials at AFAC

Mon, 26 Aug 2019 08:33:50 GMT

IVECO Australia will display its emergency service capabilities by showcasing two very distinct vehicles at this year’s annual Australian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council (AFAC) conference, held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 27 to 30 August.

The selected vehicles, an M42L-AS Turntable Ladder appliance developed by IVECO’s specialist firefighting equipment sister brand, Magirus, and a Dual Cab ML140 Eurocargo 4x4 tanker, demonstrates the breadth of IVECO’s product range for firefighting applications.

The Eurocargo ML140 4x4 heavy tanker will feature a Bell Environmental body and is a model that has made steady inroads into rural firefighting bodies across the country in recent years.

The truck features a powerful 5.9 litre turbodiesel engine producing 205kW (129hp) and 950Nm of torque and is coupled to a 6-speed synchromesh automated manual transmission.

Another great asset of this model is its stellar off-road ability, which comes courtesy of a full-time 4x4 driveline with standard front, centre and rear locking differentials and hub reduction to both axles.

Inside the cab, there’s comfortable seating and plenty of room for the driver and up to 4 crew in full turn-out gear.

The second display vehicle, a European-designed M42L-AS Turntable Ladder appliance is built by Magirus on a Eurocargo 4x2 platform and features a three person / 500kg working cage that’s capable of working at heights of up to 42 metres. The model also has many other cage and design options available if required.

This appliance is ideal for a range of firefighting applications including: general firefighting, firefighting from height as well as a range of rescue and inspection tasks such as: civilian rescue from height, tree and debris clearing, bridge incident and inspection. The M42L-AS’s cage can even be used as a point from which to abseil during rescues.

IVECO Emergency Service & Specialised account manager, Rory Wale, said IVECO’s AFAC display would provide attendees with a sample of IVECO’s diverse emergency service capabilities.

“For traditional firefighting applications particularly in regional and remote areas, the Eurocargo 4x4-based appliances are increasingly becoming a favourite around the country,” Mr Wale said.

“The combination of a high output engine with smooth power delivery, superior ergonomics for driver and crew and unparalleled off-road ability, make it difficult for other manufacturers to match this product.”

Mr Wale said that IVECO’s close association with sister brand Magirus, a dedicated manufacturer of firefighting appliances, provided many opportunities to showcase these specialised vehicles to Australian audiences and prospective customers.

Magirus developed the first turntable ladder appliance and remains a leader in turntable ladder technology.

“Magirus has a long and proud heritage in Europe offering a broad range of innovative turn-key firefighting solutions,” Mr Wale said.

“Increasingly, the brand is now being considered more greatly in the Australian and New Zealand markets and response to Magirus products is extremely positive.

“We’re confident that the M42L-AS model that IVECO is showcasing this year at AFAC will draw a lot of attention and enquiry.

“Following AFAC, IVECO will also demonstrate a Magirus turntable ladder appliance to a number of firefighting bodies on the eastern seaboard, allowing these organisations to see the vehicle in operation.”

For further information on the AFAC conference, please visit: afacconference.com.au

Towing outfit chooses IVECO performance and comfort

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 04:38:10 GMT

When A1 Towing was looking for a new medium-duty dual cab truck to join its towing fleet, it chose a European-made vehicle – the IVECO Eurocargo ML140 – rather than one of the more common Japanese models.

A1 Towing is Bathurst’s largest towing and specialised transport provider. Though it concentrates most of its efforts around Bathurst, Orange and the Central West, the business also works further afield, including in larger metropolitan centres and interstate.

“Our major suppliers are NRMA, Coates Hire, Toyota Materials Handling, and Royal Wolf,” A1 Towing Director, Grant Inwood, said.

Apart from towing of all types of vehicles and motorcycles, the company also offers breakdown pickups, as well as a forklift hire service, and container sales and hire.

As Grant – who has been at the helm of the business since it was established in 2004 –explained, A1 Towing is driven by a commitment to top rate service, efficiency and reliability.

“As a family business, we take pride in everything we do. It doesn’t matter if it is a special heavy load project you need handled or an urgent breakdown pickup. Our team has the experience and equipment to get the job done,” he said.

This equipment includes a fleet of nine vehicles, three of which carry the IVECO badge.

Its latest addition was a Eurocargo ML140 dual cab. The truck is fitted with a customised body manufactured by Hervey Bay-based, Bozmac Tilt Tray Specialists, and is equipped with a number of custom features including stainless steel infill panels and a 9-tonne towbar/cradle assemble.

Bozmac also fitted an additional under slung rear carrier, along with airbrakes and hydraulics, to the back of the truck. This can be extended to tow another vehicle, such as a caravan or boat, which is very useful. On top of that, a towball hitch is standard.

One of Europe’s best-selling medium-duty trucks, the ML140 is becoming more and more popular here in Australia, and being a dual cab it provides the extra space and comfort to carry additional passengers away from the scene of a break down or accident.

Reliability, comfort and durability

Even so, as Grant explained, Japanese trucks appear to be the most popular for local tow truck market. So why did A1 Towing ignore the crowd and choose a European truck?

“There were several factors behind our decision to go with the Eurocargo ML140, including reduced maintenance requirements and extra comfort. That last point is particularly important for a business like ours, which can undertake long haul work,” Grant said.

“The 5175 mm wheelbase dual cab we chose covers this requirement nicely. The extra level of comfort just makes things easier all-round for our drivers. As a business owner, I see it as one of several factors that help ensure they get the job done safely and efficiently.”

Powering the ML140 is a Euro 5 Environmentally Enhanced Vehicle (EEV) turbo charged and intercooled engine which features high pressure common rail electronic injection and provides 250hp at 2,700 rpm. Euro 6 engine variants are also available across the Eurocargo range.

“The Eurocargo gives us more power than similar vehicles I’ve used in the past,” Grant said.

“The other feature we chose, which the Japanese trucks in this class don’t have, is the rear diff lock. We need to get off-road a fair bit, on farms and things like that and the rear diff gives us the extra traction we need for this type of work.

“We have two Stralis trucks in our fleet as well and, in general, I would say that the IVECO vehicles handle the heavy-duty stuff really well. That’s important in Australia, considering some of the harsh conditions we come up against.”

While the ML140 is available with several transmission options, A1 Towing chose a fully automatic gearbox. The Allison S3000 5 speed transmission is easy and stress-free to operate and, according to Grant, his drivers are also very happy with the choice. “They love the truck. They fight each other to get to drive it,” he said.

First rate service

Concluding, Grant had nothing but praise for the team at IVECO Brisbane who sold him the Eurocargo ML140.

“The service I received was first rate. They met me at the airport and did everything they could to help me in any way I needed. No question was too difficult, and no effort was spared. I would definitely recommend IVECO Brisbane as a really professional outfit,” he said.

Avida select IVECO Daily platform for Australia-first innovation

Tue, 30 Jul 2019 02:17:00 GMT

Leading Australian motorhome manufacturer, Avida, is using the IVECO Daily 50C platform to introduce a new MY19 wheelchair-friendly variant of its popular ‘Esperance’ range. Avida was the first local motorhome manufacturer to provide a wheelchair access motorhome as a production unit, and only requires a light truck licence to drive it.

The Avida C7994WSL Esperance was designed to allow disabled, or not so agile travellers, to enjoy the many benefits of motorhome ownership, providing them with easy ingress and egress to the vehicle via the 350kg electric lift whether in a wheelchair or mobility scooter.

Avida Sales and Marketing Manager, Billy Falconer said the company was thrilled to be able to provide customers with mobility constraints, with a turn-key solution.

“Avida is proud to manufacture the wheelchair-friendly C7994WSL Esperance model as part of the Avida motorhome range, providing freedom to people in a wheelchair or mobility scooter,” Mr Falconer said.

“We were the first company in Australia to design and build a motorhome that caters to those requiring a wheelchair or scooter, allowing them easy and convenient access to the motorhome.

“The lift has been fully integrated into the design of the motorhome and works seamlessly with the floorplan. Prior to the availability of the C7994WSL Esperance, buyers wanting wheelchair access would need to consult a third party lift supplier and the process was much more complicated and costly.”

Fitment of the electric wheelchair lift has not impacted on the Esperance’s spacious interior. Inside, a large fold-up double bed recesses into wall space to provide easy entry to the vehicle, while a slide-out wall provides sufficient access to roll the wheelchair or scooter to the front of the motorhome. A second traditional entry point to the vehicle is located at the rear of the cabin at the passenger side.

The C7994WSL Esperance comfortably sleeps four, offers luxury finishes and styling, and features a shower, flushing toilet, a gourmet kitchen, reverse cycle air conditioning and adaptive heating system.

Mr Falconer said the new motorhome model was an excellent example of Avida providing a product that was not only practical, but extremely stylish.

“The Avida Esperance’s wheelchair-friendly model reflects how the Avida team are creating products for those with disabilities and are making them not just increasingly functional, but super stylish as well,” he said.

Mr Falconer added that the IVECO 50C platform, was an excellent base on which to build the latest C7994WSL Esperance model.

“For our customers, the IVECO Daily is extremely car-like to drive and has an extensive array of safety features such as stability control and front and side airbags. Add to this a powerful yet quiet and refined 3.0 litre turbo diesel engine with 170 horsepower, an 8-speed full automatic transmission and independent suspension, and you can see why the Daily is well regarded for motorhome applications,” he said.

“From a manufacturing perspective, the Daily’s truck-like C Section chassis makes it easier to design and fit the motorhome body as well as equipment such as the wheelchair lift.”

Astra clears the log jam for Plantation Logging Co

Tue, 23 Jul 2019 00:10:00 GMT

Harvesting timber requires a unique type of vehicle, especially when the plantation tracks are steep, slippery and muddy after rain – it’s an environment where 8x8 traction makes a world of difference.

It was for these demanding conditions that last year, Plantation Logging Co of Bunbury WA, purchased an IVECO Astra 8x8, and now with around 120,000 kilometres on the clock, the company couldn’t be happier with its performance.

Started by Jeff Loton in 1994, Plantation Logging Co has expanded to become the largest pine tree harvesting and log haulage contracting company in the state, employing around 100 people.

The shift to Astra came about due to some problems arising with the current fleet.

“We’d been using another European brand truck for this short lead application – 80 kilometres from headquarters to the plantation sites – but began having some longevity issues with them,” Managing Director, Jeff Loton said.

“This led us to start taking a look at the alternatives, we wanted to see what else was out there that could do the job and the Astra looked like it had everything we needed – it’s performed very well in the time we’ve had it. The Astra is excellent at dragging a heavy dog trailer around.”

Set up as a rigid, towing a low profile six axle dog trailer, the Astra works 10 to 12 hours a day, five days per week – the combination normally operates at 68 tonnes (concessional loading on trailer applies), delivering the logs from a range of pine and blue gum plantations to sawmills in Bunbury.

According to Jeff, the Astra has several benefits over the other vehicles on fleet being used for this same application.

“With a 520hp (2400Nm) engine, the Astra has an extra 40hp available compared to the other trucks we use, despite having more power, fuel efficiency is on par. Our driver really enjoys having access to additional power, it’s noticeable in how the truck performs,” he said.

“The Astra’s transmission (16-speed Eurotronic AMT) also has another four gears to provide better spread of ratios for the conditions.”

If the conditions require it, the Astra features hub reduction to all axles and the combination of a high tensile steel chassis and parabolic spring suspension provides superior articulation and traction.

On the inside, the Astra features many of the benefits of its road-going IVECO counterparts to provide a comfortable ride both on and off road. The features include a spring suspended cabin, electric windows, air conditioning, a detailed multifunction instrument cluster, ergonomically-designed dashboard and 3-way adjustable, air suspended driver’s seat.

The Astra was purchased from Perth-based IVECO dealership, AV Trucks and is maintained by Plantation Logging Co’s in-house workshop.

According to Jeff, the Astra has definitely proven itself during its time on fleet and he said he will be adding to his holding of Astras in the future.

“A lot of our work is done on a contract basis and a couple of these contracts are due for renewal within the next 12 months,” he said.

“If we’re successful we’ll certainly be looking at bringing more Astras into the business.”

Jim’s franchisee doesn’t tire of IVECO Daily

Wed, 10 Jul 2019 02:16:31 GMT

For many car owners, buying tyres is a grudge purchase and having them fitted is a hassle, but by bringing this service to the buyer’s home or workplace it’s certainly a lot more convenient.

After having worked in the automotive industry for 35 years including many as a tyre store manager, Russell Langham was looking for a change and the chance to work for himself; after evaluating the options, he came across a relatively new division of the Jim’s Group, ‘Jim’s Mobile Tyres’ and signed on.

“The idea of getting out on the road, meeting new people and having greater work flexibility really appealed to me,” Russell said.

Based in the South Eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Russell travels all over the city in his IVECO Daily 50C van providing a range of services including tyre sales and fitting, puncture repairs, tyre rotations, emergency roadside breakdown repairs, tyre pressure checks and fleet services.

He has a wide range of customers from owners of passenger cars and four wheel drives to commercial vehicle and truck operators.

The IVECO van he uses is equipped with a full size Eagle tyre changer capable of handling today’s large diameter, low profile and run flat wheel and tyres, an Eagle wheel balancer, air compressors and jacks, and all the related tools to allow him to function as a workshop on wheels. All the equipment is 240V, with power supplied by an on-board inverter drawing from the substantial on-board battery packs.

The van itself features IVECO’s market-leading Hi-Matic 8-speed full automatic transmission which is coupled an advanced, 3.0 litre powerplant which delivers 170hp and 430Nm.

In selecting his van, Russell said he was attracted by the looks, the safety features and the wide range of options provided by the Daily range.

“The Daily has a sleek and modern appearance and is also well-specified with a range of safety equipment including Electronic Stability Program, four airbags and front and rear disc brakes with ABS, and the suspended driver’s seat certainly enhances the driving experience,” he said.

“I also wanted a full automatic transmission for a more relaxed driving experience – aside from being larger in size, the Daily’s just like driving a car and also had all the appointments I wanted such as sat nav, cruise control, reversing camera, a great climate control system and Bluetooth.

“With a GVM of 4,495kg, it can be driven on a car licence while still providing all the carrying capacity I need for my equipment and stock.”

To engage Russell, customers simply call the Jim’s Mobile Tyres number and advise him of their tyre size, from here he can recommend the best replacement options from a wide range of leading brands and then a time and location for fitment is arranged.

Calling on distributor contacts all around Melbourne, in most cases he can source the required tyres and provide a quote by the next working day.

Now over 10 months on the job, Russell said he is building his client base and the decision to buy an IVECO Daily has been the correct one.

“I absolutely love driving the Daily and working for myself,” he said.

“Prior to buying the Daily I was aware that IVECO had a great reputation particularly across its light commercial range and this has definitely proven to be the case from my experience.”

Spreading toughness and reliability with IVECO Trakker 4x4

Mon, 17 Jun 2019 06:49:05 GMT

Mark Robinson, owner and founder of Robinson Spreading, recently purchased his first-ever new truck. The vehicle he chose, the IVECO Trakker 360 4x4, has proven to be exactly what he hoped it would be.

Based in Mount Gambier in the south eastern corner of South Australia, Robinson Spreading is a fertiliser spreading business run by Mark and his wife, Sandra.

“Our work takes in all types of broad land properties, including dairy farms, cattle farms, sheep farms, and so forth. We cover a large area around lower south east south Australia and western Victoria,” Mark said.

Geographically, Mount Gambier is known for its limestone, volcanic landscape and crater lakes. If nothing else, therefore, those working in the fertiliser spreading business in this part of the world require vehicles that can handle harsh off-road conditions.

“We’ve been in business for about 12 years now and, up until recently, we’d always used second-hand trucks. Then in late 2018, I realised it was time to buy another vehicle and decided to consider all options, both new and used.”

After much investigation, he chose an IVECO Trakker 360 4x4, which he purchased from Adtrans Truck Centre in Laverton North, Victoria.

“After looking around I realised that the Trakker had all the features I needed and provided great value for a truck of its size. Also, I was impressed by the service I received from the team at Adtrans,” Mark said.

“They were right on the money in terms of their advice…Everything they told me has turned out to be completely accurate. I’m very happy with the Trakker.”

Mark carries all types of fertiliser in the vehicle – compost and lime sand, as well as granular fertilisers such as blends and urinas. As he said, the Trakker’s low tare weight means that he gets excellent payloads.

“Obviously, I stick to the legal limit of 6 – 6.6 tonne on the road, but in the paddock, I’ve found I can load as much as 10 tonne and drive all day without a problem,” he said.

With centre front and rear differential locks as well as permanent all-wheel drive to all axles, the vehicle delivers excellent off-road traction. On top of that, its parabolic leaf spring suspension and high tensile steel chassis allow for outstanding articulation over the rough terrain that Mark encounters.

“On the road it’s easy to drive and performs just as well as off road. I spend a lot of time around Drik Drik, which has some pretty large hills. So, I definitely require a vehicle with plenty of power and torque,” Mark said.

Powered by IVECO's versatile Cursor 8, 6-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine and featuring 360 hp (265 kW) as well as 1106 Ib ft (1500 Nm) of torque, the Trakker 4x4 has provided him with everything he needs.

Mark said that his new Trakker 4x4 is returning surprisingly good fuel efficiency considering the loads it carries and that a good portion of its work time is spent over undulating paddocks.

“That’s another thing that really impressed me. As a small business, every cent counts for us, and with the Trakker I’m able to save proximately 20 litres of fuel a day,” he said.

“To be honest, up to this point, I haven’t been able to fault the truck. I’d even give it top marks for driver comfort.”

Known for superior ergonomics, the Trakker cab includes many of the features of IVECO’s road vehicles. These include excellent soundproofing, a pneumatic suspended driver’s seat, a fully adjustable steering column and multiple easily accessible, high capacity storage compartments.

This is not to say that Mark hasn’t made some minor but functional additions to his vehicle.

To maximise efficiency by not needing to stop the truck between paddocks that are only separated by an electric fence wire, Mark has installed a simple length of poly pipe at the front of the Trakker that directs the wire towards the ground, allowing him to drive over it without damaging the fence.

“This is my only vehicle, so I drive it pretty much constantly. When you consider that much of this is off road, it’s pretty remarkable that the truck (and me) are still in one piece after a hard week’s work…But here we are!” Mark concluded.

Direct Freight Express grow IVECO Stralis fleet to 15

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 01:54:00 GMT

For leading road freight companies such as Direct Freight Express, a breadth of service offerings means that goods may need to be delivered just down the road, across the country or anywhere in between.

This can lead to a wide range of equipment on fleet, from vans and light trucks right through to line-haul B-Doubles and even road trains, but it’s the middle distance deliveries into the major eastern seaboard capital cities where IVECO has proved itself with Direct Freight Express.

Just recently, the company has added a further 10 IVECO Stralis 4x2 low roof AT models to its intrastate fleet, using them to haul a range of palletised goods – this brings the total number of Stralis Direct Freight is using to 15.

Direct Freight Express National Operations Manager, Jason Elliott, said that for single trailer urban and metro delivery, it was difficult to go past the Stralis.

“We’ve operated Stralis for a number of years now in single trailer work around town and have been impressed with how they’ve performed, this was one of the main reason why we again went with Stralis with the latest trucks,” Jason said.

The trucks feature Cursor 10 engines producing 460hp and 2100Nm of torque and are matched to 12-speed Eurotronic Automated Manual Transmissions, it’s a driveline that when combined with rear 4-bag ECAS (Electronically-Controlled Air Suspension), provides a solid platform for the application.

“These trucks normally operate towards the top of the weight ranges (up to 44 tonne GCM) but have more than enough power to do the job. They also have a fantastic turning circle which is important for deliveries around town,” Jason said.

Another two key considerations in the purchase of the Stralis models were driver comfort and safety features, areas in which the vehicles perform strongly, according to Jason.

“The Stralis are well equipped with safety features and are really comfortable to drive in city conditions, our drivers really like them,” he said.

Direct Freight Express service and maintain their vehicles internally and prefer to keep equipment on fleet for the longer term, gradually changing a vehicle’s work demands as it ages; it’s a policy that ensures the company gets the most from every truck without taking a big hit on resale value once the shine wears off a truck.

“We might have a prime mover that is on interstate work for several years, as it ages we could reassign it to metro work where it will cover less kilometres, and ultimately it might end up being used as a terminal tractor at one of our depots,” Jason said.

“If a truck has been well maintained and looked after it makes sense to do this and you can get a lot of life out of them.”

Jason also said that the Stralis’ are straight forward to maintain.

“The Stralis are easy to work on, and we’ve not had any issues with them over the time we’ve run them,” he said.

“For what you get in the Stralis, which is a well-rounded overall package for this sort of application, they provide us with so much ‘bang for our buck.’”

IVECO Daily vans a gas for Air Liquide Healthcare

Thu, 30 May 2019 02:04:00 GMT

The supply of oxygen to retail customers for medical use requires a number of important criteria to be met from delivery vehicles, and for the industry leader in this field, Air Liquide Healthcare, the decision to go with IVECO Daily 35S13 models made perfect sense.

There are now nine new Dailys in the company’s fleet – stationed along the eastern seaboard and in Perth – which have gradually replaced vans of another European brand.

Air Liquide Healthcare, Director – Operations, Tony Kelly, said that when he entered the role several years ago, the fleet of 30 company vans comprised a single Daily among a swarm of others.

“The older Daily was so reliable and just outlasted everything else we had, which made us closely consider IVECO once it was time to start renewing the fleet,” Tony said.

According to Tony, the main priorities in selecting a van for the application were safety, efficiency, reliability, ease of use and the general dimensions of the vehicle.

Ultimately, Air Liquide Healthcare settled on the Daily 35S13 on a 3250mm wheelbase and with a volume of 12m³.

Powering the vans is IVECO’s entry level 2.3l turbodiesel engine producing 126hp and 320Nm, matched to the market-leading Hi-Matic, 8-speed full automatic transmission.

“As the vans are mainly involved in metro and suburban distribution, we didn’t need huge power output and instead opted for the efficiency that the 2.3 litre delivers,” Tony said.

“Additionally these vans will cover around 45,000 kilometres per year and be changed over at around the 200,000 kilometres – these are low kilometres by diesel engine standards so there was no need for the extra capacity from a longevity perspective.

“And we opted for the full automatic transmission because most of the driving is in city and urban areas and it’s just easier and more comfortable for the drivers.”

On the safety front, the Daily features disc brakes with ABS, Electronic Stability Program, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Anti-slip Regulator, Hill Holder, four airbags and a factory reversing camera using the Daily’s IVECONNECT multimedia system. To further aid safety, all vans are equipped with aftermarket dashcams.

IVECONNECT also features satellite navigation which is extremely useful given that every day the vans operate on varied routes to make deliveries to different customers, according to Tony.

“In Victoria for instance, we have around 5,000 unique customers who we deliver to, so having sat nav is very handy,” Tony said.

On the inside, the vans are equipped with compartments where a range of different sized oxygen cylinders can be safely stowed and restrained for transportation. The vans also feature racking to house related consumables such as tubing and masks.

Some of the vans that typically carry the larger cylinder sizes, are also equipped with internal half lift cranes for easier loading and unloading.

Tony said that the Daily vans were performing well to date and that driver acceptance had been good.

"The drivers like the Dailys - the transition to the new vehicles has gone smoothly," he said.

“Our plan is to gradually replace our remaining vans with IVECO Daily models.”

Salads roll to market in IVECO Stralis fleet

Thu, 18 Apr 2019 00:54:00 GMT

For Gold Coast market gardeners, ‘Salad Makers’, the decision to add a new Stralis ATi 6x2 to its distribution fleet was an easy one, especially given the excellent performance of its other Stralis models, the oldest which was purchased in 2012.

Salad Makers General Manager, Belinda Adams, said the company had exclusively used IVECO trucks since this time and saw no need to consider other brands.

“We currently have three IVECO Stralis models. This latest truck replaces another older IVECO – given the driver acceptance, the comfort of the trucks, and the fact that we’ve never had any issues with them, it was a logical choice to again select a Stralis,” Belinda said.

Having worked for 11 years at the company that was started by her parents, Barry and Lyn Moss in 1983, Belinda oversees a staff of approximately 35 people while helping to manage several properties, a production facility and associated compliance tasks.

Along with growing a variety of salad mixes, whole lettuce and herbs on its own properties, Salad Makers also source additional produce from approved suppliers, before delivering to a range of supermarkets in the region using its refrigerated-bodied Stralis trucks.

A typical working shift would begin with the IVECOs being loaded with the palletised produce at around midnight before travelling to their destinations about 45 minutes away. The trucks are then often back loaded before returning to base where the procedure can be repeated up to two or three times depending on demand, before finishing at around 9:00am.

The new IVECO features the Cursor 8 engine producing 360 hp and 1500 Nm from a low 1125 rpm and is matched to a 12-speed Eurotronic AMT. The new truck and the earlier models are also equipped with rear Electronically Controlled Air Suspension (ECAS), ensuring a smoother ride for the produce and the driver.

“The trucks don’t usually cover high kilometres, but there’s a lot of start and stop conditions, and for this it’s important to have a safe and comfortable vehicle,” Belinda said.

“As well as being comfortable and easy to drive with the automated manual transmission, air suspension seat and climate control, the trucks have a good size sleeper (2020 x 620mm), meaning that if the drivers are out and there’s a delay in loading, they can rest for an hour or two.”

Belinda said that each driver is assigned a truck and that they are responsible for cleaning and maintaining it.

“We’ve found that if each driver is allocated his own vehicle, the truck is better cared for and there’s familiarity with the vehicle,” she said. “They keep tabs on when the truck needs to be serviced and if there’s any other preventative maintenance needed.”

Enjoying a good relationship with selling dealer, Brisbane IVECO and Gold Coast (Arundel) IVECO service and parts outlet, Gibbs Truck & Trailer, provides Salad Makers with additional peace of mind in knowing that support is not far away if required, according to Belinda.

“Given the sensitive nature of the produce that we transport, it’s good to know that if we did have issues with a vehicle, help wouldn’t be far away,” she said.

“Brisbane IVECO operate a 24 hour call-out service and Gibbs Truck & Trailer is close by.

“The Stralis models have everything we need in a truck and the drivers really like them. The driver of this latest truck has thanked me so many times for getting him the new one.”

IVECO Daily fleet on the tools for TTi Brands

Fri, 05 Apr 2019 04:14:00 GMT

A fleet of six new IVECO Daily 50C vans operated by leading tool company, Techtronic Industries, is providing tradies with the added convenience of trialling and purchasing some of Australia´s most respected tool brands on site.

Stocked with the latest AEG Powertool products as well as a range of hand tool and accessory brands, the Daily vans provide a mobile showroom experience, while also allowing customers to handle and demonstrate the tools in the field.

Taking the equipment directly to customers whereby saving them time and increasing their productivity, seemed like a logical move for TTi Brands, and accordingly the company now has vans servicing Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth while also traveling into regional zones.

TTi Brands’ Business Development Manager for trade brands, Matt McInerney, said the new vans were purchased because TTi wanted to increase the level of convenience and customer experience of its work site program, while also growing its reach.

“Previously our team visited tradespeople on site using predominantly dual cab utilities and we were restricted by the size of these vehicles,” Matt said.

“These Dailys feature a high roof and volume of 18m³, providing full standing height in the back for staff and customers while also giving us a generous area to display our range of tools and equipment.”

The inside of the vans feature customised fit-outs using pegboards and drawers to display a range of powertools as well as striking and measurement tools and a broad selection of related powertool accessories. The vans are also equipped with transaction devices, allowing customers to purchase products directly from the vehicles, minimising their downtime by not having to leave the work site.

The vans themselves all feature 3.0litre, 170hp engines coupled to IVECO’s market-leading Hi-Matic full automatic 8-speed transmission making the vehicles easy to drive, while the factory reversing camera and parking sensors help drivers park the big vans once on site.

In the event that added traction might be needed on slippery work sites, the vans are also equipped with rear differential locks.

Matt said that considerable market research was done by the company prior to eventually selecting the Daily.

“Our main considerations were safety, vehicle size and payload and getting something that was comfortable and easy-to-drive,” he said.

“The Daily had the volume and carrying capacity we needed, while still being able to be driven on a passenger car licence – combined with the auto transmission that means there are no limitations on who we could recruit to drive the vans.

“Safety was another priority. The Daily has a long list of standard safety features while the parking aids also make life a lot easier for the drivers.

“Finally, it was also important to provide our team members with a comfortable working environment because the vans are like a mobile office – they’ll process payments and after site visits complete account updates and make customer calls, so they can spend considerable time in the vans.

“The driver feedback on the vans has been great and we’ve recently ordered additional Daily models which will go into service in Adelaide, while extra vans will be added in Sydney and Melbourne.”

IVECO named official truck partner of Alfa Romeo Racing, deliver 12 Stralis

Fri, 05 Apr 2019 03:42:00 GMT

IVECO has been appointed official truck partner of Alfa Romeo Racing, delivering a fleet of 13 vehicles to the team’s logistics division, at a recent ceremony held in Hinwil, Switzerland.
The event which saw 12 Stralis models and a Daily van join the team, was attended by Axel Kruse, COO of Sauber Motorsport AG and Thomas Rücker, Business Director of IVECO Schweiz.
The vehicles will ensure safe and efficient transportation of the team’s equipment to all the Formula One European Grand Prix venues throughout this season.

The proven track record of IVECO vehicles, their reliability in a wide range of extreme conditions, and their exceptional fuel economy and low total cost of ownership were key factors in Alfa Romeo Racing’s choice of truck partner.
Thomas Rücker, Business Director of IVECO Schweiz, commented: “We are proud to be entering into this partnership with Alfa Romeo Racing and provide transportation for the team’s equipment. IVECO has a long tradition of partnerships and participation in the world of sports, and in particular racing, where our trucks can be seen competing in the Dakar Rally and the FIA European Truck Racing Championship. We look forward to the new racing season and wish Alfa Romeo Racing success.”

Frédéric Vasseur, Team Principal Alfa Romeo Racing and CEO Sauber Motorsport AG added: “It is a pleasure to welcome IVECO to Alfa Romeo Racing as official truck partner. Having a reliable and safe means of transportation for our equipment is an essential aspect of our logistical operations in Formula One. With IVECO, our team has an experienced partner by our side and we look forward to this collaboration.”

IVECO to showcase sustainability at 2019 Brisbane Truck Show

Sun, 17 Mar 2019 23:34:00 GMT

The upcoming Brisbane Truck Show will provide IVECO Australia with the perfect platform to showcase its latest Euro6 emission technologies, and to demonstrate the company’s commitment to minimising environmental impact.

The IVECO stand will extensively feature vehicles with Euro6 engines across its light, medium and heavy duty weight categories, including several that will be on public display in Australia for the first time.

One model making its first public appearance is the recently-launched, locally-made Euro6 Stralis X-Way, with both a prime mover and rigid model to be displayed.

As well as benefiting from a broad range of intelligent active and passive safety features, the Stralis X-Way is equipped with a number of fuel-saving measures including ‘Ecoroll’, ‘Ecoswitch’ and engine anti-idling. Emission control on the X-Way is also advanced, coming courtesy of IVECO’s unique Hi-eSCR system which does not require driver intervention.

Showgoers will also be excited at getting their first glimpse of the all-new, next generation Euro6 ACCO, also manufactured in Australia. Still in the midst of extensive in-field development testing prior to launch later this year, the new ACCO will build on the toughness of its predecessor while delivering new levels of comfort and safety never before experienced in an ACCO. On display in Brisbane will be a 6x4 model with Bucher compactor body and an 8x4 featuring a Hiab hooklift body.

Also on show and representing IVECO’s medium duty range is a Euro6 Eurocargo equipped with an INNOV8 attenuator body, while at the lighter end of the product offering is the market-leading Daily 70C van with 7 tonne GVM, 19.6m³ volume and Euro6 engine.

Off-road fans will be pleased to know that IVECO will also preview a prototype new version of its unstoppable Daily 4x4 with increased GVM capabilities of up to 7 tonnes and a raft of other enhancements including availability of IVECO’s market-leading Hi-Matic, 8-speed full automatic transmission.

And for those interested in bonneted, North American-style trucks, an INTERNATIONAL ProStar prime mover model will also be on show.

IVECO Australia Marketing Manager, Darren Swenson, said that this year’s stand would hold true to the brand’s global positioning to be ‘Your Partner for Sustainable Transport’.

“IVECO is very proud to be a global leader in low emission technologies and at the 2019 Brisbane Truck Show, our low emission capabilities will be strongly displayed and promoted,” Mr Swenson said.

“Increasingly our customers both in the private and government sectors, are requesting vehicles that meet stringent environmental standards, even before being officially mandated through legislation.

“IVECO is very pleased to be able to provide an extensive Euro6 product offering across vans, minibuses and its light, medium and heavy duty truck ranges.”

To get a closer look at the latest from IVECO and INTERNATIONAL, please visit stand 47 in Hall 1 on the Foyer Level of the 2019 Brisbane Truck Show.

Prickly produce no problem for IVECO Stralis

Wed, 06 Mar 2019 05:40:00 GMT

Reliability and ruggedness used to be the main prerequisites for a good farm truck, these days though, you better add ‘comfort’ and ‘ease of use’ to the equation, according to Accorsini Farms part owner, Rod Accorsini.

Rod’s 200 hectare property was purchased by father Robert in 1964, with the first of 5,000 pineapple plants being sown shortly afterwards – now some 55 years on, Rod and brother – and business partner – Tony, have plantings of around 1.2 million pineapples each year.

At 81 years of age, Robert is still on the scene assisting his sons when he can, and for the new IVECO Stralis ATi he is very grateful.

During pineapple season which runs from October to early January, Robert drives the Stralis several times a week from the farm in Mutarnee about an hour south to Townsville. From Townsville, the produce is then dispatched to all the major state capital cities along with Darwin.

“Dad’s 81 now, our other regular driver is my uncle who’s 76, and my brother Tony has recently had two knee replacements,” Rod said.

“The Stralis has a 12-speed automated manual transmission and they sure love not having to change gears!”

As well as the trips to Townsville, the IVECO Stralis spends considerable time on the farm tracks being loaded in-field with a combination of pineapples and compliment crops comprising of watermelons and pumpkins, later taking these to a co-op packing shed around 15 minutes away for local distribution.

With an eight pallet tray body and hauling a single axle, 10 pallet tag along trailer, the truck normally operates at a little over 16 tonnes, a weight the IVECO Stralis makes small work of given that it has 460hp and 2100Nm on tap.

“It’s got more than enough power and handles the loads with ease. We probably didn’t need that much power but we also figured that if the Stralis could accommodate that sort of output it would be put together right and would last us a long time,” Rod said.

Having now successfully completed its first harvest, Rod is please at how the truck has performed in the demanding Northern Queensland conditions.

“Some of the roads on the farm are bumpy and in a pretty ordinary state but the Stralis has handled everything we’ve thrown at it,” he said.

“We opted for cross locks on both rear axles and this has certainly helped us in the muddy conditions as well.

“Another important feature for us is a good air-conditioner, this blows nice and cold in the Stralis. The truck can be stopped and sitting in full sun while it’s being loaded but it doesn’t take long to cool down once turned back-on.”

Rod also cites the IVECO Stralis’ rear airbag suspension as being a great benefit both for the driver and for the produce.

“The airbags provide a supple and comfortable ride – you don’t get those sharp bumps like in trucks with steel suspension,” he said.

“This is good for the drivers as fatigue is reduced and for the produce, because it arrives at the delivery location in better condition.

“I like everything about the truck: the comfort, power, the ease of use and it’s also very economical to run,” he said.