Non HGV battle ahead
Page 94
Page 95
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Most of the major commercial vehicle manufacturers are squaring up to do battle in the lucrative 7.5 tonne commercial vehicle market, where the twin effects of market growth and the withdrawal of Bedford, which last year took a 14.5% share, are providing rich pickings.
Mercedes was the first to grab for a share of the newly buoyant 7.5 tonne market with the launch of its 811 van and cab last year. This was closely followed by Leyland with its Roadrunner revisions, including the provision of front disc brakes and the introduction of the Cummins B series engine.
Limelight
Later this year we shall see the Launch of Volvo's long awaited FL4, providing the Swedish company with its entry into this sector, and Renault has recently announced its plans to launch a new vehicle in the non-HGV market_ Now though, the limelight falls on Iveco Ford's Cargo, produced at Langley, which is being revised one year after Iveco Ford was formed. The Cargo, which is now available from 7.5 tonnes to 38 tonnes, is already very strong in the 7.5 tonne sector.
IFT claims the Cargo took over 40% of the 7.5 tonne market last year, compared with almost 20% for the Roadrunner and 14.7% for Mercedes. During the first three months of this year, sales of 7.5 tonne Cargos increased by 41% on the same period in 1986, and IFT is confident the latest revisions will build on the vehicle's existing strengths.
Safe investment
The company claims that the latest changes to the Cargo, such as the new Rockwell rear axle, the improved cab interior and the provision of all round disc brakes, will help to reinforce the view of the Cargo as a safe investment. This impression is backed-up by the provision of computerised vehicle checking at Langley and strong capital investment in robotic production methods and a highly automated paint plant.
IFT is at pains to point out that it has a long-term commitment to the future of the Cargo and that it plans to make the most of its capital investment through further expansion and improvements of the Cargo range in the future. Iveco Ford Truck has chosen Laurie Collingwood to be its new chief engineer, controlling the engineering systems group located at the Langley truck assembly plant, which produces the Cargo range.
CoRingwood has been with IFT since its inception, when he joined as engineering manager.
He joined Ford in 1963 on commercial vehicle development. He has also worked in vehicle engineering, homologation and component design. His light vehicle experience includes three years spent working on passenger car engine installation at Dunton.
CoRingwood has been closely involved in the development of the revised Cargo range and its new brakes, of which he says: "We've always believed in discs."
• IFT ABBEY HILL RAY SAYER Ray Sayer has been appointed general manager of Yeovilbased Iveco Ford truck dealer Abbey Hill. Sayer joins Abbey Hill from Scotts of Eaglescliffe and brings 30 years experience in the commercial vehicle industry to his new employers.
The management team at the Abbey Hill truck dealership now consists of Sayer, general manager; Nigel Knight, sales manager; David Barlow, area sales manager; and Ray Pattermore, service manager. Iveco Ford Truck has issued an operators handbook called "Your contacts in Iveco Ford Truck," giving details of people within the company.
The information is presented in an easy-to-digest, easy-toread style and its aim is to present vital facts in a clear format. Senior executives are named with their job titles.
The company believes that operators should have ready access to information of this sort and hopes that it will help to improve communications between the manufacturer and the customer.
Marketing Director David Gill said: "The days of operators having to deal with faceless people hiding behind a sea of anonymity are over. The buck stops here at Watford in the final analysis and we want operators to know who they can talk to and what authority they have."
The booklets are available free of charge, and anyone
wanting a copy should write to Mr Peter Rhodes, manager, Dealer and Customer Support, Iveco Ford Truck Ltd, Iveco Ford House, Station Road, Watford, Herts WD1 1SR.
• COUNTY GARAGE STAIRS Jim Stairs is the new general manager of IFT dealers County Garage Truck Centre at Kingston, Carlisle. Thirty-six year old Stairs, was previously truck sales manager with the group.
Stairs joined the County Garage Group in 1981 based at their Kingston depot, which covers a territory of Cumbria and South West Scotland. He was previously in the motor trade as an apprentice mechanic with former Graham and Roberts garage in Carlisle before moving over to car sales.
Soon after taking over as general manager Stairs, completed a sales deal for five Iveco Ford TurboStars. Following the merger between Iveco and Ford six new jobs have been created at the County Garage Truck Centre in both sales and maintenance sectors.
Stairs says the merger has been a great success: "It has taken time, but it has made a great difference to our operation. The Italian expertise at the heavy truck end of the market has given us much more scope."