Fiat Professional is heading for the 62nd Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover having always played a significant role in the sales of light commercial vehicles on the German market, since it is the largest importing brand.

The 62nd edition of the Hanover International Motor Show will be held from 25th September to 2nd October 2008; the Hanover event is the most important European motor show for trucks and commercial vehicles. The event will gather together in the German city professionals and major vehicle manufacturers of the sector. The vehicle manufacturers participating in the show will include Fiat Group Automobiles with the Fiat Professional brand that has always played a significant role in the sales of light commercial vehicles on the German market, since it is the largest importing brand.

Fiat Professional has a spacious stand at the Hanover event divided into three areas: the first area is denominated "100% Professional" and presents the full vehicle range dedicated to the world of work and passenger transport: from the new Fiorino to the Ducato, from the Doblò Cargo to the Scudo, up to the Fiat Strada Pick Up. The second area is denominated "100% Professional Green" and illustrates to the general public Fiat Professional's commitment in the field of environmental protection and sustainable mobility. The third area hosts a number of commercial vehicles fitted out by leading bodybuilders in the transformation sector and designed for specific major customers.

"100% Professional": the ideal solution for every professional need

Eight vehicles are on display, all identified externally by a light grey coloured bodywork and by the “100% Professional” sticker, while, in the interior, vehicles have seats covered with technical fabric and leather, in addition to special black rubber carpets with a leather edging. The major player in this area is the new Fiorino, a unique vehicle of its kind designed to meet the needs of those requiring a compact van, economic to manage, nimble in traffic and easy to park. Therefore, the new Fiorino is designed to totally redefine the standards of the 1B segment and to play a major role in the light commercial vehicles market. Two versions of the new model are present at the international event (Combi and Cargo) equipped with the 1.3 Multijet 75 CV diesel engine that assures limited consumption (4.5 litres/100 km in the combined cycle, or a range of approximately 1,000 kilometres) and reduced operating costs (30,000 km or 24 months for the first service). In addition, the new generation 6-gear robotised gearbox called Comfort-matic is presented for the first time.

Another major player in the display area is the Ducato model exhibited in two configurations: a Maxi Panel Van, long wheelbase, high roof (volume: 13 m3) equipped with the 2.3 litre, 120 HP output engine complete with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and a 9-seater Panorama, medium wheelbase, high roof with the powerful 3 litre, 160 HP output engine. Both vehicles are equipped with the “Blue&MeTM Nav”, a highly efficient pictogram navigation system that provides access to a series of simple, useful, telematic services at a competitive price. The system is characterised by easy to use features and provides hands-free operation with the Bluetooth® interface and advanced voice recognition, USB port, MP3 reader and an SMS interpreter. With this solution the driver can make/receive telephone calls and listen to music in a simple and safe way while driving. Furthermore, a “navigation kit” is available for the “Blue&MeTM Nav” including a USB pen with a stored map and a back-up CD that can be used to transfer the map to the personal MP3 readers. The navigation details are also available on the on-board display in the same way as the other information: the destination address, the pictograms of the direction to follow, the information on arrival, the points of interest, together with the traditional vocal support providing information at the turning points reproduced via the speakers. Therefore, an innovative content package that further enhances the new Fiat Ducato, the successor of a winning model (almost two million vehicles have been sold throughout the world from 1981 up to the present-day) that is confirmed once again as the top ranking model of its category. The merit goes to the distinctive look, functionality, comfort and top-level performance, more generous telematic and safety features and reduced operating costs. Without considering the easy access to the loading area, the productivity and the payload. Therefore, the Fiat Ducato is an effective solution that meets all the professional and leisure transport needs.

The German show includes other models, in addition to the Ducato and Fiorino. Two models of the New Scudo are also on display. The first model is a long wheelbase Panel Van (with a volume of 6 cubic metres and a payload of 1,200 kg), while the second model is a version designed for passenger transport. In fact, this model is an 8-seat Panorama Executive equipped with the powerful 140 Multijet, 136 HP output engine with a torque of 320 Nm (complete with the particulate filter fitted as a standard feature). The new Scudo represents the best commercial interpretation of a vehicle that combines the features of a reliable, high capacity and functional work vehicle with the intrinsic features of a modern-day car, as is demonstrated by the excellent road handling, the highly enjoyable feel when driving and the generous standard features designed to ensure maximum on board safety and comfort.

The “100% Professional” area also has space for the short wheelbase Doblò Cargo (volume: 3.2 m3):this vehicle is among the top ranking vehicles of its category thanks to the easy access to the loading area, productivity and payload (with a 730kg and 850kg payload), but also in terms of comfort, ergonomics, low consumption and reduced operating costs. The vehicle is characterised by an external design that has the feeling of protective strength and an interior style that gives the environment a spacious and welcoming appearance. The vehicles on display also include an example of the Fiat Strada Pick Up (long cabin) equipped with the 1.3 Multijet, 85 HP engine.

"100% Professional Green": practical solutions to protect the environment

Two world previews: Ducato and Fiorino in the Natural Power version. These vehicles are the best example of how protecting the environment represents a fundamental commitment for Fiat Professional in the development of its models, together with all the Fiat Group Automobiles brands. Naturally, all the spotlights are focused on the newest Ducato "Natural Power" Van and on the other models which also have a dual natural gas-petrol fuel supply: Doblò the best seller (approximately 2,500 vehicles sold during the first 6 months of this year) and a working prototype of the Fiorino Combi. The German show is completed with an example of the Fiorino Cargo “Electric” by Micro-Vett, once again characterised by the environmental protection features.

All the vehicles on display in this “green” area are characterised by the “100% Professional Green” sticker affixed to the bodywork (the Ducato and Doblò have a metallic grey coloured livery, while the two versions of the Fiorino have a vivid metallic green livery). All the vehicles present original black upholstery interiors (jeans fabric and leather) and black “recycled” rubber carpets edged in leather.

Vehicles converted for major customers

Four vehicles on display at the Hannover event have been converted to represent the countless bodywork solutions available for the Fiat Professional vehicles: ranging from mobile workshops to vehicles with a rear load body, from insulated vehicles to vehicles fitted with a cold storage compartment. This sector is expanding continuously: suffice it to say that today already one vehicle in three is subjected to a bodywork conversion in the 2G and 2P segments, in Europe, where Fiat Professional is present with Ducato and Scudo models.

Messrs. Snoeks has produced a Ducato van (medium wheelbase, high roof, equipped with the 2.2 Multijet, 100 HP engine) in an “extended cabin” configuration. The vehicle is intended for the German armed forces and has a partition bulkhead and a rear bench to seat 3 persons, complete with headrest and safety belts. The second vehicle has been fitted out by SKF and is also based on the Ducato model and intended for the German Postal Service: this vehicle is a long wheelbase, high roof Van with a volume of 13 m3 and fitted with a 2.3 Multijet, 120 HP engine and has a special interior lining for the loading area with anchoring bars for 6 postal trolleys.

The Fiat Professional stand also has enough space for a short wheelbase Scudo Combi vehicle, equipped with the 2.0 Multijet, 140 HP engine and intended for the German Automobile Club (AVD) to provide Accident and Emergency services, as also demonstrated by the specific shelves manufactured by Messrs. Bott. The German show is completed with a Doblò Cargo Maxi SX equipped with a 1.9 Multijet, 100 HP engine and converted by Winter Kühlfahrzeuge into a refrigerated van with an insulated loading area for temperatures as low as 2 degrees.