VIEW FROM THE TOP
IVECO boss Michael May. Not just excited about the slick new range, but the plethora of other opportunities it brings.
EVERY OPPORTUNITY Michael May heads IVECO in this part of the world at an exciting time in the company’s life – a new model, new energy throughout the organisation, and opportunity at every turn. Always receptive to a yarn with passionate industry folk, Michael sat down with New Zealand Trucking at the Brisbane Truck Show this year, and we posed three questions for his consideration. Story by Dave McCoid
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-Way brings IVECO’s European big-seven front-runner into the Australasian game for you. In some areas, you’ve moved from a model behind to a model ahead compared to your competitors. How will you optimise and maximise that in the markets you’re chasing? “A lot of the European products are pretty impressive, and it’s pleasing we are not just competitive but leading in some areas. There’s a lot of pent-up excitement here now. S-Way is a great-looking truck with a great reputation in Europe, where it’s grown market share significantly. “Our decision to source the latest product from Europe
was a seriously considered one and came as a result of listening to what our customers need and asked for. “Once you’ve made that decision, it brings another set of challenges having the full suite of product options at your disposal. It’s a bit like being a kid in a candy shop. “You have to understand what fits the market needs, and that determines what you select. You end up with a product aimed at the target markets, ones we think will be successful and allow us to represent the best version of ourselves in what is the most competitive and highestvolume market segments. “That means growth has to be planned systematically. It
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is important the improvements we put into reliability and quality are reflected in both the customer and the network experience. “The safety and emissions advances have to be supported with network knowledge, training, tooling – so we can support the product. That’s what will determine our reputation going forward.” Considering that answer – and with the benefit of S-Way offering you a clean sheet, of sorts – if a truck operator in your target market were asked five years from now to sum up S-Way and where he/she thought IVECO sat in the market, what answer would
you hope he/she might give, based on where you sit today? “Yes, that’s a great question, and obviously, we’re looking at a much longer journey than five years, but that’s a great timeframe to check progress, for sure. “This project started four or more years ago for us, evaluating, validating and testing. “For me, what would I like to see? I would like us to develop true fans of the brand. A strong, reliable truck, great fuel consumption, clean, and a great experience with the network. Customers who appreciate not just the piece of machinery, but everything the brand encompasses and stands for. No marketing can
