16 August 2001: The light commercial vehicles market in Ireland has shown a slight drop in sales compared to last year - from 30,562 units down to 29,995 - but sales are 24% ahead of the same seven-month period of 1999, which confirms an overall steady upward trend in the Irish market.

New Fiat Auto Ireland CEO Paolo Gagliardo (above with Fiat Doblo van) said that LCVs were the backbone of the economy, and the sales trend indicates an Irish economy in a 'very robust state'. "These are the vehicles that carry the goods and services which fuel the economy and everyone from sole traders and small business to giant multinationals uses them," he said. "So this obviously shows those who are at the forefront of helping and growing the Irish economy see it as being in a very robust state."

Sales of Fiat LCVs have increased dramatically, by 37% compared to 2000 and by 81% compared to 1999 largely due to the introduction of new models such as Scudo, Scudo Combi and more recently our Doblo Cargo.

The 'Top Ten' in the LCV market for Jan-July 2001 were Ford, 5,740; Toyota, 3,210; VW, 3,173; Nissan, 3,042; Citroen, 2,490; FIAT, 2,111; Peugeot, 1,584; Renault, 1,437; Isuzu, 1,412; and Mercedes, 1,200. JG/BB