Fiat heavies to enter British market
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by Gibb Grace
• It was announced in Turin last week that Fiat is currently setting up a commercial vehicles sales and service organization in the UK and will be offering a range of heavy and mediumweight trucks for sale early in 1973, following their introduction at the Earls Court Commercial Motor Show in September.
At the moment only the 850T van is sold in this country but Fiat, after study of UK truck sales, has found that recently there has been a shift in demand towards heavier vehicles, particularly tractive units.
Fiat aims to introduce its model 684, a 32-ton gcw two-axle tractive unit, as well as a heavier model, the 619 38-ton gcw two-axle tractive unit, along with a derivative, the 697 which is a 6 x 4 layout.
For the time being only one medium truck is to be introduced, this is the model 673 which is of 12-ton gvw design.
Changes to Fiat trucks to suit them for the British market have been few, and mainly concerned with brakes. All heavy Fiat's have full air dual-circuit brakes but spring brakes will be fitted for UK vehicles. To start with, the trucks may well be imported less brakes and the conversion done here. In the long run the factory-fitted brakes will be acceptable as these already satisfy the projected EEC requirements.
Another hurdle to be met is BS AU 141a; 1971 certification, but test engines have already completed the 100-hour test successfully and all engines to be imported will certainly have the necessary certification before the end of the year.
Fiat production plants in Europe include the wholly owned subsidiaries of OM, based in Milan, and Unic in Suresnes, near Paris. Output from these plants totalled 124,000 commercial vehicles in 1971, covering the whole vehicle spectrum. Under a current rationalization plan production of some components will be grouped in separate factories. For example, all gearboxes will be built at Brescia and all front axles at Milan. Generally speaking, medium and heavy trucks will carry the Fiat name and will be built in Turin, while light vans and trucks will be built at Brescia under the OM name.
Bus chassis and bodies will be built at a separate factory at the Cameri works in Novar ra.