4 May 2001: Iveco, the commercial vehicle arm of Fiat, are introducing the Daily City Truck to Ireland, more than a year after the current version of the International Van of the Year 2000 winner was first launched.

The Daily will be offered in Ireland in nine versions, with engine options of 105bhp, 125bhp and 146bhp. It will come in both van and crew-cab formats. Variants by gvw range from 3.2 tonnes to 6.5 tonnes. The smallest in the six-van range has a gross payload of 1245kg and a loadspace of 7.3 cubic metres.

The 2.8-litre common rail direct-injection diesel engines are electronically controlled and meet the requirements of the upcoming Euro 3 emissions standards. The engines are fully compatible with Iveco's MODUS workshop diagnostic system.

ABS, automatic braking differential and electronic brake force control are standard on heavier models.

Irish prices have not yet been announced, but Iveco is believed to be targeting 10% of the segment in the light commercials sector. Ford currently dominates with its 150-350 series Transits, selling almost half the 6,288 units moved in the first thrtee months of the year. VW is second with 13.8% of the segment, while Toyota, Fiat and Mercedes complete the top five.

Iveco currently has only the 35 van in the segment, and sold marginally less than 1% of the segment January-March.

The company is also introducing its EuroCargo 'tector' light and medium truck range to Ireland. Iveco products are marketed in Ireland by Truck Dealers International (TDI), whose parent company is the J Harris Group.

Iveco manufactures the Daily for its European markets in Suzzara in Italy and Valladolid in Spain.