During 2006, full range commercial vehicle manufacturer Iveco Group registered over 13,725 new vans and trucks plated between 3.2 and 44 tonnes in the UK, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
One of the year’s biggest successes came at 18 tonnes, where the Iveco Eurocargo increased its volumes by 9.7 per cent to 868 units – outperforming every other manufacturer in the sector and ending the year with 12.7 per cent penetration. This placed the Eurocargo a firm fourth, ahead of Volvo, and less than 50 units behind third-placed Scania, confirming its position as a true workhorse for demanding distribution activities. Eurocargo also held second place in the market at 7.5 tonnes, with 2,565 registrations.
In the all important light van market (3.5 tonnes) - the single largest van sector of them all - the Iveco Daily took third place for the second year running, with 9.2 per cent of the market. This saw 6,857 new 3.5 tonne Daily’s take to the UK roads out of 74,381 new vehicles registered in this sector, and was achieved despite the new Daily range not arriving in the UK until October. In Europe, the Daily continues to be the best-selling 3.5 tonner of them all with a 17 per cent market share, ahead of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
At 6.5 tonnes the Daily held its position as the clear market favourite, registering 556 units in what was the fastest growing van element of the heavier 3.51 to 6.5 tonne sector.
“Daily’s strong performance despite tough market conditions is testament to the strength, quality and productivity of Iveco’s light commercial vehicle product range,” says Chris Thorneycroft-Smith, Managing Director of Iveco Ltd. “Response to the launch of the new Daily has been very positive, and we start 2007 with a healthy order book and our best product range to-date.”
In light of Iveco’s strength in this sector of the market, CAP has re-adjusted its recommended residual prices for used Daily’s in 2007, with average prices across the range rising by £900 per vehicle.
In the fiercely competitive on/off-road rigid market the new Iveco Trakker – which became fully available in 2006 – recorded an impressive 122.2 per cent boost in registrations, with 80 new vehicles delivered to operators across the UK in numerous configurations ranging from tippers and mixers through to skip loaders and hooklifts.
The tractor unit market ended the year down 6.3 per cent, but despite this, the Iveco Stralis won a number of significant conquest orders, including its largest ever retail order from KN Drinks Logistics, part of the Kuehne + Nagel global logistics network, which took 149 new Stralis tractor units. In total, over 763 new Stralis Active Day, Active Time and Active Space tractors were registered, comprising 122 4x2’s and 641 6x2’s.
Both Trakker and Stralis are widely recognised as serious contenders in the heavy truck market, especially in terms of cab comfort, reliability, economy and residual values. Coupled with a strong distributor network offering the longest opening hours in the industry, I am confident Iveco can further increase its share of the heavy truck market in 2007,” Mr Thorneycroft-Smith concludes.