LCV Market Electrified by New E-Ducato Fiat Professional’S First All-Electric Van Will Have Last-Mile Delivery Companies Buzzing
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SOLUZIOISSUENI 8. SEPTEMBER 2020 LCV market electrified by new E-Ducato Fiat Professional’s first all-electric van will have last-mile delivery companies buzzing n NEW NAME FOR FCA/PSA PARTNERSHIP n 110 YEARS OF ALFA ROMEO n FLEXIBILITY OF LEASYS + n FOCUS IS ON IMPROVING TCO n MOPAR CONNECT TO BE STANDARD n HEAVY R&D INVESTMENT JEEP® WRANGLER INSIDE THIS ISSUE BIK FROM 37% WELCOME LEADING THE RECOVERY CO₂ FROM 240G/KM 4 Recovery of market will be product-lead MPG UP TO 28.8 - 30.4* which suits the FCA Group’s brands FCA/PSA PARTNERS AGREE NAME P11D FROM £39,620† elcome to our latest edition of FCA Soluzioni. 6 Brand names unchanged but new entity will be called STELLANTIS It’s been an extraordinary year due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. COVID: FCA NEVER LOST FOCUS There have been heart-breaking stories and 8 UK operation knew what to expect W immense challenges for so many people, and thanks to having Italy-based parent every business has been affected. At FCA, we recognised that we needed to do everything MORE TARGETED FLEET APPROACH 10 Continuity maintained as fleet customer in our power to assist our customers and their drivers, so contact operations are outsourced we immediately implemented a series of support packages together with our funding operation Leasys. We talk more BUSINESS CENTRE NETWORK about them inside this issue, including our new pay-as-you-go 11 Principal of Mangoletsi explains why solution, and we also outline how we are continuing to help membership pays off for his company your businesses as we all emerge from the lockdown. ALTERNATIVE FUELS ON THE UP One interesting development has been an accelerated 12 SMMT comments on increased interest interest in electric vehicles and, here, we have lots of exciting in cars with alternative powertrains news with a fantastic range of new models coming to market. We put the spotlight on the new electric Fiat E-Ducato and SPOILT FOR ELECTRIC CHOICE the plug-in hybrid Jeep Renegade, and we look ahead to the 14 The E-Ducato will be Fiat Professional’s first all-electric light commercial van forthcoming Fiat 500 battery electric vehicle. But it’s not all about electric models in this edition; we also JEEP THAT EPITOMISES BRAND look at the stunning Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA special edition, our 15 New Renegade PHEV offers ‘more power, flagship performance car which shows off our racing pedigree. more capability and more freedom’ We celebrate another of our iconic brands by delving into the history of the Jeep Wrangler. Our latest model possesses 110 YEARS OF ALFA ROMEO 16 500 units of limited edition Giulia GTA much of the original car’s DNA – it’s the ultimate off-road will be offered for sale to mark event machine for everyone from utility companies to mountain rescue, but it is also timelessly cool and makes a real lifestyle THE MOST CAPABLE WRANGLER statement in the car park. 18 Jeep Wrangler lives up to its heritage FCA is working hard to ensure our vehicles have competitive without compromising on convenience total cost of ownership and we are enjoying big improvements LEASYS SHOWS FLEXIBILITY on residual values. We’ve also been investing heavily in interior 20 Measures seek to add element of quality, infotainment and equipment levels which is increasing greater certainty when signing contract the appeal of our cars to a wider audience. Enjoy the read and I wish you all the very best of health. FCA’S FOCUS IS ON TCO Stay safe everyone. 22 Group tailors sales to reduce number of short-cycle vehicles and improve RVs MOPAR AS STANDARD Connectivity platform will be the norm 24 on the launch of all future vehicles TRUST RELIES ON DUCATOS 26 FCA does all it can to keep ambulances on the road during Covid-19 pandemic AIM IS TO BE MOBILITY LEADER Group enters into collaborations on 28 autonomous vehicles and energy supply AT THE CUTTING EDGE 30 FCA Group invests heavily in R&D to ensure vehicles are right up-to-date *Official fuel consumption figures for the Jeep® Wrangler range mpg (l/100km) combined: 25.7 (11.0) -30.47 (9.2). CO2 emissions: 259 - 243 g/km. Fuel consumption and CO2 figures are provided for comparative purposes only and may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including MODEL OVERVIEW Take a closer look at nine vehicles – the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. Only compare fuel 32 cars and vans – from the FCA Group consumption and CO2 figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedure. SIMON WHEELER †Model Shown: JEEP Wrangler 2.0 GME Sahara 4dr P11D: £45,795 (Excluding additional metalic paint) CORPORATE MARKETING MANAGER 3 FLEET INTERVIEW Iain Montgomery FCA FLEET AND REMARKETING DIRECTOR The post-lockdown recovery will be product-led, which plays to FCA’s advantage ou could forgive Iain Montgomery for describing the BIK and lower cost of ownership are compelling. The only thing past eight months as a baptism of fire. When he was stopping more rapid uptake is range versus lifestyle, but even that is appointed FCA UK fleet and remarketing director in changing as people travel fewer miles.” January, little did he – or anyone else – know that Electric is also flowing through Fiat Professional with the E-Ducato, just a few months later he would be implementing which is attracting interest from the last-mile delivery operators. Y contingency plans and customer support packages “For vehicles that do 100-to-200 miles per day, a full electric van as the country went into Covid-19-induced lockdown. makes sense,” Montgomery says. “There is also the visual benefit Yet, despite the inevitable stresses created by a halt to global to fleets running on zero emissions, so we are seeing a lot of interest production and a total transformation of day-to-day working from utilities companies.” practices, Montgomery retains the relaxed manner of someone in However, while electric is grabbing the headlines, FCA still believes complete control. there is a place for petrol and diesel. It isn’t ready to press the stop Yes, it was challenging, he says, but the key was to keep button just yet. communication channels open to preserve the business relationships. “There are ongoing developments to make them more efficient,” The timing added complications: FCA was in the process of moving Montgomery says. “In some industries, for example transport and to a new partner for its outsourced field team and was working on a logistics, diesel makes sense – although diesel-hybrid is the real- business centre expansion plan. It was also preparing for a host of world solution. We will see petrol continue to rise and I can’t see the new product launches in the second half of the year, some of which improvements in efficiency stopping.” have now been put back a few months. He adds: “We have a Jeep with a 1.0-litre engine – that’s a big Nevertheless, minds were concentrated and action was swift. jump from just five years ago.” “We knew we had strong relationships with NHS Trusts, and we Eight months into the role, Montgomery’s objectives have not had to keep them running from both a supply and maintenance changed, although the timelines have slightly shifted. True fleet point of view,” Montgomery says. “Supply of ambulances never growth by maximising the product opportunities with new and slowed. We maintained our volumes with utilities companies and existing customers remains the overriding priority. we’ve worked to keep council fleets going. Also, we’ve kept lines of “There is no ultimate target, but we have a plan for steady growth,” communication open with all customers.” he says. “We have to do it right because there’s a development FCA implemented a range of measures, including individual journey to go through and a level of service to provide, not just for solutions. “These could be as simple as holding stock at the port, customers but to our network.” so they didn’t have to start the payment. Cashflow at this time has To support the extensive product launch plan, FCA is putting the been key, especially for smaller businesses.” back-office structures in place with the introduction of a purpose- He adds: “Back in February, we couldn’t imagine closing the built web portal which makes it easier for fleet customers to access business while maintaining our presence remotely. But here we are. information, advice and assistance. We’ve done it.” Covering all five of the group’s brands, the FCA Fleet Hub has Many positives came out of the new ways of working, including been designed to meet the specific needs of fleet and business greater recognition of the importance of being proactive towards users and to improve the customer experience. customers’ changing needs. Digital selling has flourished in an industry “It gives our existing customers the additional support and more used to dealing with customers face-to-face, while online working information they need at any time of day,” says Montgomery. “And has improved efficiencies in an environmentally-friendly way. for prospective customers, it is somewhere to direct them to find out Business is now returning with a clear emphasis on hybrid and more about us (more details on page 7).” electric. Montgomery predicts a transition as employees do less FCA is also looking to expand its network of business centres from mileage, with many no longer commuting to work or holding face- 20 to 25 by the end of the year.