How, when and why was Iveco born? In the beginning it was Fiat

In recent weeks, the launch of a new flagship Iveco S-Way с Fit-Cab e Magirus concept led us into the future of the House of Turin. Let's also do a little foray into the past when this story began.

Perhaps, in fact, not everyone knows that Iveco (Industrial Vehicle Corporation, Industrial Vehicle Manufacturing Company) was founded in 1975 by the merger of 5 Italian, French and German brands: Fiat industrial vehicles (Italy), OM (Italy), Launch of special equipment (Italy), Unic (France) is Magirus deutz (Germany).

To be or not to be…

The Turin carmaker grew after several acquisitions and had to decide how to continue. Two strategies are possible: continue to integrate the acquisitions into Fiat Veicoli Industriali, or create a new brand, with its own name and personality.

The second was the most ambitious and difficult route, division of the cargo business from the car and would give rise to direct competition with the greats of the industry. In the end, however, the choice was made.

Fiat, not just cars

Founded in 1899 by a group of engineers and investors including Giovanni Agnelli, the first car built Fiat (Italian Automobile Plant in Turin) it was a car. However, production soon spread to trucks and buses, and already in 1903 in Turin first commercial vehicle... In 1929, a division specializing in industrial vehicles was created: the Fiat Veicoli Industriali itself.

OM and UNIC arrive

In 1933 Fiat bought OM (Officine Meccaniche, formerly Züst cars) and the factories in Brescia and Suzar were merged into Fiat industrial vehicles... The production of Om-Züst vehicles was discontinued, and the production of civilian trucks and railway equipment continued.

Development transportation of goods and people led to another purchase in France in 1949, UNIQUE, which in turn absorbed the French branch Adolf Saurer AG, a famous Swiss truck brand. The full transfer of UNIC will be completed in 1966.

Meanwhile, in 1952, Mexico was established DINA for local truck production Fiat 682N e 682T and in the period from 61 to 67, two cooperation agreements were signed with Tunisian bodybuilder STIAfirst for bus structures and then for the local assembly of Fiat VI trucks.

Lancia and Alfa Romeo dowry

Three years after UNIC, in 1969, Fiat also took over Lancia Group and the Lancia Veicoli Industriali division was integrated into Fiat Veicoli Industriali, continuing to manufacture both Launch of special equipment.

In the same year in Argentinaproduction of Fiat 619N-619N3E, Fiat697N - 697T models with PTC 45 t began. In 1973 Brazil, Alfa Romeo sold 43% of the capital of its cargo division to Fiat VI: FNM, Fàbrica Nacional de Motores. The acquisition will be 100% completed in 1976 (production of FNM-Fiat trucks in Argentina and Brazil will continue until 1990).

Time to Grow, Acquisition of Magirus Deutz

By this time the time had come, and in 1974 Fiat decided to take over most of the Magirus Deutz.

The historic company, founded in 1864 by Konrad Dietrich Magirus (who invented the revolving ladder to equip firefighters around the world) and refurbished after World War II, now specialized in special heavy vehicles.

1975 The Iveco brand is born.

Therefore, in 1975, the Turin company decided to combine all its brands in the industrial vehicle sector, both its own and acquired, under oneone brand who took the nameIinternational Vehiccups CoRation ". In the first year of its existence, Iveco produced 63 13 heavy vehicles and buses.

After the merger, the newborn I.Ve.Co. started the process of rationalizing products, factories and distribution network, first we save 5 original brands... Between 1975 and 1979, the list included 200 base models and 600 versions ranging from 2,7 to over 40 tons (plus buses and engines).

1978 Here are the first Iveco products

In 1978, the first commercial vehicle arrived immediately: Iveco Daily... Two years later, the first turbodiesel for heavy commercial vehicles was introduced and three new divisions were created: Diesel Engines, Buses and Fire Trucks.

в 1984 Launching turbostar, a heavy road vehicle that has become an Italian bestseller and an important player in the European market, reaching a share of 50 7 units sold in 1985. In the XNUMX year, Iveco launched the first lightweight direct injection diesel engine.

XNUMXs, partnership with Ford

In 1986 Iveco acquired the Italian company Astra from Piacenza, specializing in dump trucks and quarry vehicles. In the same year, he created a joint venture with the American Ford, creating Iveco Ford Truck, which were entrusted with the production and sale of the main vehicles of the Iveco and Ford Cargo range.

The trucks sold under the partnership include a tractor unit. TurboDaily и Cargo light, which, wholly owned by Iveco, was later transformed as EuroCargo.

Range updated

In 1989, the first diesel engine with an exhaust gas recirculation system was introduced to reduce pollutant emissions from commercial vehicles: it was used for equipment new Daily launched in the same year.

In the 90s, the assortment was completely renewed. EuroCargo (Truck of the Year 1992) EuroTech (Truck of the Year 1993) EuroTrakker ed eurostar.

Here the story continues on a continuous path of internationalization and the birth of motor vehicles. natural gas CNG and LNG, the sector in which Iveco is the main producer in Europe today: we will tell you about this next week.