LCV I & II

PROFILE

Introducing the new Fiat Professional Doblò and eDoblò

The inclusion of Fiat Professional into the Stellantis auto family is proving rather beneficial to the Italian brand in many ways. Gains and growth through investment, collaboration, synergies and volumes are enabling Fiat Professional get back on track, to doing what it does best - being one of the main players in the light commercial vehicle sector.

While the Ducato, in all of its variants, is the mainstay of the Fiat Professional portfolio, the re-emergence of the Scudo, and more recently the introduction of the new Doblò range ensures that Fiat has an up-to-date and forward thinking selection of vans in the main segments.

Alongside the diesel versions, much focus is centred on the electric version, the eDoblò, as explained by Richard Chamberlain, Director of Commercial Vehicles for Stellantis UK & Ireland at Fiat Professional at a press briefing in Coventry last month.

In the vibrant compact vans category, the new Doblò joins its Stellantis siblings from Peugeot, Citroën and Opel/ Vauxhall, where in the UK alone, the Group accounts for over 35,000 unit sales per year, more than twice as much as Ford and Volkswagen put together.

The Doblò has a long history, over twenty years in fact. Originally made in Turkey in cargo and passenger versions, it proved to be a successful global model sold throughout Europe and in the US, Brazil, and even Korea. Two generations (plus facelifts) were produced by Fiat, with the Doblò earning many accolades including International Van of the Year titles in 2006 and 2011.

Today’s Doblò is a completely different vehicle. It’s based on the formerly PSA Groupe product i.e. the latest generation Peugeot Partner and Citroën Berlingo, as well as the Opel/Vauxhall Combo version which added on later. Additionally, Toyota is supplied with a similar variant, which is sold as the Proace City.

Now produced at Stellantis plants in Spain and Portugal, new Doblò has received a unique Fiat face, sporting its new logo/brand identity, while its driver comforts and load ability are the same as the others (with up to 4.4m3), and a load length of 3m.

When it comes to safety items, the MY22 Doblò is not found wanting with up to 17 advanced safety systems available, such as Lane Keep assist, driver attention alert and forward collision warning and active safety brake - vital elements to keep the high mileage van driver safe, other motorists too!

Connectivity is the tool of choice in vehicles these days and with the Doblò, interaction between the driver and vehicle can be done through an 8” colour touchscreen with Bluetooth, USB, phone engagement, navigation etc. The entry level L1 model offers 4.4m3 load space, while the L2 version has up to 4,75m3. Power is via a choice of 4 engines - 3 diesel + 1 petrol, delivering from 100-130hp, while the 136hp electric type with its 50 kWh battery can propel the van 273 km before full recharge. Buyers can choose between Standard and Promo trim levels, with a selection of specific ‘packs’ such as visibility, icon, comfort, drive assist, techno, worksite and freight.

Richard mentioned the Doblò will have a competitive advantage for a number of reasons - it’s coming from a dedicated commercial brand, offering unique styling, providing a diverse product range, with combustion engines and electric power more performance for heavy loads.

Highlighting the spec details on the eDoblò, Richard added that it also has an 800kg payload, and up to 1-tonne towing capacity. Fiat Professionals ‘Fives’ offering also sets it apart from the others with its peace of mind 5 year warranty, roadside assistance and servicing.

Over the inaugural test drive of the eDoblò around Coventry and through Leamington Spa, the driveline and its workings are like for like with the parent company siblings. There are four driving modes: Eco; which extends the range, Normal; for everyday use and Power; for more performance for heavy loads. Then there is another, the ‘B’ button which provides battery regeneration. On the road, stability was assured thanks to the batteries being housed underneath the load area. Good acceleration and strong regeneration were noted during the drive.

On the charging horizon, the 50 kWh battery pack can take 5 hours to reboot on a 11kW system and up to 7.30 hrs if on the 7.4 kW unit. Should quicker charging be needed, the eDoblò can reach 80% capacity within 30 minutes.

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Bring on Tomorrow - Ford Open House looks to blue skies

Sustainability is to the fore at all automotive manufacturers, featuring in every aspect of their thinking these days. Ford Motor Company is preparing for tomorrow’s challenges with a strong electrification programme. Some sacrifices have to be made, which can be painful, something that was highlighted recently Ford announcing that at least three car models will be retired to make way for new ‘exciting’ electric cars and commercials in due course.

While attending the Ford Open House event at the Blue Oval brand’s UK headquarters in Denton, England, significance details were revealed, paving the road ahead for the global marque. Interesting information on its electrification programmes, including behind the scenes in-house research and development projects were detailed, although some of the detail were off the record for now. Those will be publicly revealed nearer to the time of new product launches.

According to Dan Jones, Ford UK & Ireland PR Director, Ford’s transition to zero emission vehicles began in 2019 with the introduction of mass produced electric and plug in hybrid vehicles. By 2024 nine new emission free vehicles will be at dealerships, alongside the current E-Transit and new E-Transit and E-Tourneo Custom models. “Ford Europe is committed to carbon neutrality by 2035. From 2023, our EV production run rate will reach 600,000 units,” he said.

Lisburn native Lisa Brankin, MD, Ford UK & Ireland outlined Ford’s transformation change, with new corporate structures having been implemented. These include Ford Model e, Ford Blue, Ford Pro, Ford Drive and Ford Credit. Describing what Ford Model e is, she said: “We aim to delight customers with truly incredible electrified commercial vehicles and services, and build the future as our centre of innovation and growth.”

Ford Blue is the brand representing internal combustion engined vehicles, while Ford Pro is the commercial arm created to deliver “a trusted platform of connected vehicles, software and services”.

Ford’s internal plan is built around purpose, behaviour, and creating distinctive products and solutions, collaborating with its customers in how products are made and sold to ensure post purchase loyalty, explained Lisa.

On its commercial vehicles side, the Ford Pro programme (Pro meaning Productivity)“is transforming commercial vehicle fleets with innovative digital solutions, designed to increase uptime and reduce operating costs,” she added.

Ford Pro also covers other aspects of the purchase deal such as charging, service and finance - “providing customers with one comprehensive platform to operate their fleets as they adapt to connected and electrified vehicles across their businesses. Over 620,000 connected Ford Pro vehicles are currently in operation.”

To keep its leading position in the European LCV sales charts, Ford is not found waiting or wanting. The E-Transit is already on the road with clients, and will soon to be joined by the E-Transit Custom and the refreshed Transit Custom, not forgetting the Tourneo passenger versions of the compact van. 2021 sales volumes show that Ford reached 14.7% EU market share, with almost 35% in the UK, while in the Irish market, Ford captured 28% of the LCV market.

Key facts and figures surrounding Ford’s ongoing LCV success:

n In 2021, the Transit Custom was

Europe’s best-selling van n 50% of all Ford Pro LCVs sold in the

EU are converted to suit their needs

n Ford is targeting zero emissions for all of its vehicle sales carbon neutrality by 2023 n Ford Pro has 1,500 EV certified dealers across the EU, plus 4,500 authorised repairers n With Ford Liive, vehicle downtime is reduced by 69%

Liive is the proactive, real time call centre, operated by Ford personnel (the second i in Liive can be ascertained to mean interaction or intelligence!). The Ford Liive Centres enhance the support provided by the Transit Centre Dealers.

With its outward carbon reduction programme, Ford is building a sustainable future internally through the use of locally sourced renewable energy, achieving zero air pollution from its facilities, aspiring to use recycled and renewable plastics in its vehicles globally, and achieving zero waste to landfill across all operations, as well as eliminating single use plastics. All these efforts lead to the ultimate goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 globally (and within the EU by 2035).

A major part of these objectives have a third party element, with parts and component suppliers together with Ford’s transport logistic providers requiring to tap into these initiatives. Already hauliers are using HVO - hydrotreated vegetable oil, instead of diesel.

Tim Slatter, Chairman, Ford UK & Ireland, in his address pointed out that Ford’s sustainable future is on par with other manufacturers to ensure that all new cars and vans sold in Europe are zero emission from 2030. Reaching charging infrastructure targets is also part of the package.

At its UK factories, significant investment in BEV R&D has been made, with £23m going towards the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APL) at Dunton, where the E-Prime Lab carries out battery development work. The installation of solar panels, charging points and a reduction of its fuel tanks on site are all part of the processes underway. Similar projects are to be seen at Halewood (in the Midlands) with £230m invested to transform operations there. Halewood is to become Ford’s first in-house electric vehicle component assembly site in Europe, capable of producing around 250,000 units per year, beginning in 2024.

At Dunton, wind turbines are being installed in order to become energy efficient, while all aspects of energy usage is being monitored continuously and reduced accordingly.

Text: Jarlath Sweeney – editor@fleet.ie