Fiat goes French
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THE CO-OPERATION programme between Fiat and Peugeot-Citroen for the design and construction of a new one-tonner, first revealed last year, has been brought nearer fruition by the formation of a joint company in which the Italian and French partners have equal share.
To be known as SEVEL — Societe Europeenne de Vehicules Legers — the new enterprise represents Fiat's second joint light vehicle venture with Citroen. The first, the Fiat 242 front-wheel-drive unit, is also still marketed as the Citroen C35.
Work has already started on the site of a new assembly plant at Atessa, in the Sangro Valley of Italy, about 40 miles south of Pescara. The project envisages Fiat styling, Citroen engineering and a SOFIM power unit.
Production is due to begin in 1981 when the new van will most likely supersede the Peugeot J7 design as well as the Citroen H1600 type, first built in 1947. which is the oldest French commercial vehicle still in production.
The SEVEL plant will be capable of turning out 80,000 vehicles a year, In a second development stage, a vehicle with a higher payload is also expected from the new liaison, The SEVEL project is likely to become one of the users of components and parts supplies by Norway Fiat is reported to be negotiating with suppliers in that country which, in a new marketing drive devised by the Norwegian Export Trade Council, last week brought several of the leading European automotive manufacturers to a business conference at Oslo The recent collapse of the Volvo deal with Norway will not in fact preclude a closer approach by the Swedish company to the Norwegian component industry, particularly in the aluminium and plastics sector. Other makers present at the Oslo talks were Ford and Citroen.