MUSCAT -- The commercial vehicle segment in the Sultanate yesterday formally marked the arrival of leading Iveco trucks from the Fiat Group in Italy. Though present in Oman, represented by Suhail Bahawn Automotive Group, since 2006, the formal brand announcement coincided with the inauguration of a $10 million exclusive facility at Al Maawaleh. Marking the significant milestone for Iveco in Oman, a senior-level delegation led by Stefano Sterpone, Senior Vice-President, Sales and Marketing, was present on the occasion.
The Iveco team included Scardigno Vincenzo, General Manager, Middle East and Africa, Pietro Benvenuti, Gulf Area Manager, and Fabio Checchin, Customer Service Manager. The Iveco officials were joined in a media briefing by Ahmed Suhail Bahwan, Chairman, K S Kumar, Managing Director, and Yashodhan Deshmukh, Business Head of Al Jenaibi International Automobiles. "Today we are celebrating the formal launch of business association between Iveco and Suhail Bahwan Automotive Group, which is an extremely strong relation between two powerful groups, one a world-famous commercial vehicle brand and the other a best in class for after sales services," Kumar said.
"The business relations between Iveco and Suhail Bahwan Automobile Group was formalised in 2006. However, we wanted to demonstrate our commitment to Iveco business in Oman by launching a state-of-the art exclusive facility for sales, parts and after service operations. The new facility bears a distinct Iveco design," Kumar said, adding that "we wanted to do it in the right way as anything else would have been a compromise in our commitment to Iveco as well as customers. The 40-year history of Suhail Bahwan Automotive Group bears the distinct customer first philosophy."
Iveco boasts more than a hundred years of experience in designing, manufacturing and marketing the full range of commercial vehicles coming from the Fiat Group. With cutting edge technologies developed at five research centers, Iveco is one of the world's leading companies in the road transportation sector. Talking about the association between Iveco and Suhail Bahwan Group, Sterpone said: "We are confident that our joint resources of high performing and competitive products together with a highly committed partner with its strong distribution network will be the key success factor for our mutual growth in this region."
Iveco offers a wide range of light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles, off-road trucks, buses and coaches as well as special vehicles for applications such as fire fighting, off-road missions, defence and civil protection. One of Iveco's main stars is the Trakker. Available in 4x2 to 8x8 drive in prime mover and cab chassis versions, the engine delivers between 380 and 480 hp.
Even with gross weights ranging from 19 to 72 tonnes, it is perfectly harmonised for off road conditions. Trakker combines toughness and strength with comfort and style. Its solid chassis is made of high yielded steel which makes for robust construction. The comfort of Trakker lies also in the cabin, spacious with a comfortable working environment that reduces driver fatigue on long trips. All controls are conceived in an ergonomic way for driver's comfort.
Trakker is capable of tackling arduous terrain under extreme conditions. At ease in the quarry and in uneven terrain, it is also an exceptional road vehicle for long journeys. Stralis is the flagship of Iveco range, which was awarded the International Truck of the Year in 2003. Offering a complete range of commercial vehicles for on road application in the 18-44 tonnes heavy range, Stralis delivers seamless working partnership, fulfilling all requirements.
Total safety and reliability are two important advantages of an efficient braking system. On an active safety front, Stralis boasts an excellent array of electronic systems that aid drivers in emergency conditions and safety performance in terms of road handling and braking. All Stralis vehicles are equipped with front and rear disc brakes. Stralis is available in a range to suit high, medium and short mileage operations. Cab chassis and prime mover versions in 4x2, 6x2 and 6x4 drives, with engine powers ranging from 350-450 bhp provide for exceptional performance, combined with superb driver comfort.
The Iveco facility includes a 24-hour helpline, mobile vans for onsite assistance and an elaborate nationwide service and parts network. Globally, Iveco is strongly positioned to face the future, recording a 22 per cent rise in net revenues and rolling out over 200,000 vehicles in 2007, beating all records in the company history, Vincenzo said. Iveco is confident of achieving eight per cent market share in 2008, raising it to 10 per cent in 2009 with 250 units of heavy and light range of commercial vehicles, Kumar noted.
By Ebby Chacko George
© Oman Daily Observer 2008
