First time for Fiat at Commercial Show
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TNVESTIGATIONS by Fiat, of Italy, into
the possibility of entering the British heavy commercial vehicle market have been going on for some time and will take an important step forward in September when the company is due to exhibit at the Commercial Motor Show for the first time. It is possible that there will .be two examples from the Fiat range of heavy tractive units, although it has not yet been decided on the number or the actual types to be shown.
Nevertheless, it is almost certain that the chassis will be from Fiat models designed for gross train weights from 26 to 38 tons. At the bottom end there is the 643T, a twoaxle tractive unit with a 9-litre, 161 b.h.p. diesel and suitable for 26 tons g.t.w., whilst a second two-axle machine is the 682 for 32 tons g.t.w. and with an 11.5-litre. 179 b.h.p. diesel engine.
There is a lot of interest now in Britain in twin-steer tractive units. The Fiat 690 is a model with this layout and has a setback second steering axle. It is rated for 32 tons g.t.w. and the 11.5-litre diesel is used.
The heaviest Fiat tractive unit that is likely to be considered for theCommercial Show is the 693T double-drive six-wheeler which was shown for the first time at the 1965 Turin Show. This has a rating of 38 tons g.t.w. and has a 12.8-litre diesel with a maximum net output of 210 b.h.p. at 1,900 r.p.m. The drive is through an eight-speed synchromesh gearbox mounted independently.
Fiat is in a very good position with regard to selling vehicles in the UK. For one thing little change will be needed to the vehicle designs for this country; right-hand drive is more common in Italy than left-hand, and it is said that braking systems will meet UK requirements.
A most important point is that Fiat already has a ready-made distributor network in Britain. There are about 430 dealers in Fiat cars and a good number of these are also specialists in the commercial vehicle field.