Only months after Fiat and PSA Peugeot Citroën released their jointly developed large vans (Fiat Ducato, Citroën Jumper/ Relay, Peugeot Boxer) and compact vans (Fiat Scudo, Citroën Jumpy/Dispatch, Peugeot Expert), they bring an antire new range onto the market. The new light van is positioned well below the compact vans with only half of its load volume (max 2.8 m3 compared to max 7 m3 in the Scudo, Jumpy or Expert).
The new light van is 3.86 meters long and has a 2.5 m3 load volume which can be increased to 2.8 m3 with a 2.5 meter loading space length by stowing away the passenger seat. The new vans come with side-hinged doors and sliding doors for efficient loading.
The light van can be equipped with proven gasoline and diesel engines, where the diesel engine is the less environmentally taxing with less than 120g/km of CO2 emissions. The interior has been ergonomically designed to ensure the comfort and well-being of its driver during intensive professional use. Standard equipment includes ABS, driver airbag and power steering. Optional features include parking sensors, separate cab locking system and additional storage space.
Fiat and PSA Peugeot Citroen have invested in total EURO 380 million, of which 190 million went to research and development. Unlike the compact van series, the new light van will be made in Turkey by Tofas. Total production capacity is estimated at 158,000 unit per year. The light vans will enter the market place as the Fiat Fiorino, Citroen Nemo and Peugeot Bipper from the end of 2007 onwards.
The new LCVs developed in common by Fiat and PSA Peugeot Citroën and built in partnership with Tofas, which will be soon launched, represent a totally new option for the light van market by virtue of their compactness, useful performance and styles.
Measuring 3.86 metres in length, the new vans are surprisingly roomy inside, with a load volume of 2.5 cubic metres. A stowable passenger seat enables capacity to be increased to 2.8 cubic metres for a loading space length of 2.5metres.
These highly functional vehicles feature optimal loading height and large side-hinged rear doors and sliding side doors that make the loading bay easily accessible.
The bright, modern, roomy cab combines practical, functional features with advanced ergonomics designed to ensure comfort and well-being for intensive professional use. Standard equipment includes power steering for driving comfort, as well as ABS and a driver airbag for enhanced safety. Many other options usually found in higher-priced segments are also available, including parking sensors, a separate cab locking system and additional storage space.
Proven gasoline and diesel engines, both fuel efficient and environmentally friendly (119g/km of CO2 in diesel-equipped versions), help to lower running costs.
Marketed as the Fiat Fiorino, the Citroën Nemo and the Peugeot Bipper the new vehicles will be gradually introduced as from the end of 2007.
Bringing the new lineup to market required a total investment of €380million, of which €190million for research and development. The vans are manufactured by Tofas at its plant in Bursa, Turkey, which has an installed capacity of 158,000 vehicles a year. Turkey’s leading automobile manufacturer, Tofas is equally owned by Fiat and Koç (37.8% Fiat Group Automobiles, 37.8% Koc, 24.3% others).,.
With these new panel vans, Fiat and PSA Peugeot Citroën have extended their long-standing cooperation while substantially expanding their light commercial vehicle portfolios. The launch comes just a few months after the partners revitalised their jointly developed line-ups of large vans (Fiat Ducato, Citroën Jumper/ Relay, Peugeot Boxer) and compact vans (Fiat Scudo, Citroën Jumpy/Dispatch, Peugeot Expert).
