Dispatches Do Brasil: Hanover Vans

by Marcelo de Vasconcellos

September 29th, 2014 10:29 AM

The bi-annual IAA Nutzfahzeuge, or, roughly, commercial vehicle salon, in Hanover, Germany is in its 65th edition. Efficiency, connectivity and automation seem to the main themes of the current fair. Picking and choosing among the various van, truck, bus and supplier offerings, I chose three to highlight.

The first is the Hyundai H350. For now a Euro-special only, this one is especially interesting to Brazilians as there are strong rumors it will soon be built here in our tropical country. It follows traditional European van design, while adding some Hyundai visual cues. Its interior is quite simple, offering up enough content to be a contender. It can be equipped with independent air conditioning, refrigerated glove box, rain, darkness and parking sensors, Android-based multimedia center, and cruise control. Hyundai highlights construction flexibility possibilities, coming in three body styles (Bus, Cargo and truck) and two lengths (5.5 and 6.2 m). The rear-drive van makes either 148 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque or 168 hp and 311 lb-ft from its 2.5L 4-cylinder diesel engine. The sole transmission option is a 6-speed manual.

FCA showed off its Fiat Doblò. Taking the RAM ProMaster City as its inspiration, changes are concentrated in the frontal design and interior. The grill is now larger as are the headlights, and the bumper is new and more conventional in design than before. The interior continues the spread of the interior FCA first bestowed in American Chrysler offerings. Also new, there is a three-person, multifunctional front seat arrangement. Engines are turbo and naturally aspirated, gasoline, diesel or methane and include 1.3s, 1.4s and 1.6s, ranging from 75 horses to 120 hp. Traction comes from the front wheels and the model can be equipped with a new traction control system for slippery surfaces. Body styles are very configurable, being four and it can be had with two different lengths and heights.

Finally, Iveco, FCA’s world commercial vehicle division (light and heavy duty trucks and vans) presented its version of what future Euro vans may look like. Called “Vision” it is, of course, an environmentally-friendly van that Iveco claims is a laboratory for future solutions and technical innovations.

The Vision is equipped with two modes of propulsion. One is purely electrical with zero emissions, and the other is a hybrid that reduces consumption and CO2 emissions by 25 percent. Making true to its name, the concept van has large windows, the front pillars are see through and there is a backup camera that projects its image onto a panoramic screen at the top of the windshield.

Inside there is a sensor based cargo management system that identify its placement in the hold and fire off contention systems impeding movement of larger items.

#CommercialVehicles #DispatchesDoBrasil #Vans

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28-Cars-Later on Sep 29, 2014

I'm curious Marcelo, which would van would you prefer the Hyundai or the Fiat?

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- Marcelo de Vasconcellos on Sep 29, 2014
  
  Which Fiat van? The Ducato, equivalent in size and with even many more configurations or the Doblò. The Doblò is FWD, has cargo version and passenger (up to 7, but then luggage on roof) and a small footprint. The Hyundai is a much larger van that is squarely aimed at Renault Master, Ford Transit or Traffic (I always forget which is which), Fiat Ducato (and PSA twins), Mercedes Sprinter and maybe some others. Depends on the application. Airport shuttle, executive shuttle, university or school "bus", large items, interstate travel, tourism applications, ambulances all sorts of things can be done by the larger vans. They never caught on as a family car here. There all pretty nice, and the Fiat Ducato is the market leader here by far and for good reason (low down times, ease and cheapness of repairs, relatively low initial purchase costs, low running costs) all make it a formidable force here, that would take the Hyundai a long time to beast. The Ducato beat the Sprinter here, and challengers have come along and also beat the Sprinter, but the Ducato has a pretty big advantage. The Doblò known to you Americans as ProMaster City is the only one left standing in its segment. Here it beat down the French who have tried entering the market and the Renault Kangoo Cargo is the only one that still fights it. Maybe Ford will offer its car here. I like this car as a family vehicle 28. Great room for families, sliding doors, in the 5 passenger version, great trunk. Square and easy to drive (just like a car). For commercial purposes it's great for use in the city as it's smaller. It can do anything a Strada does, with an enclosed hold and most of what a Ducato can, too. Many businesses have one, for all sorts of use. From refrigerated cars to hot dog stands (and others), even ambulances, it is great. Of course here, we also have the Fiat Uno based Fiorino. Should really do an article on that. It sells more than all others do to price, is smaller than the Doblo (running costs etc) can carry a lot, do a hell of a hot dog stand, and so many other customization possibilities (does most of what a Doblò does, I have even seen ambulances built on this car, but must be a very limited one). Plus all sorts of deliveries of course. VW and GM try to compete with this car, offering covered pickups, but those conversations are made by outside companies, at outside sites, though they are sold at VW and GM dealers and have factory warranties (with a long list of exceptions, especially regarding, as you would expect, the bodywork, go figure...) Here we even have the Uno Cargo. Stripped of back seats, with a partition and no windows, it is the car you saw in a review a week ago, transformed into a van. VW had the Gol a while ago in this same version, but I think the Uno killed it off (GM had the Corsa like this in past). So as you see 4 van options, all dominated by Fiat here, not to mention the work pickups. So, not really knowing that much of that market, though looking at the world around me, and talking to people who do and have large fleets, Fiat seems pretty strong in this market.
  
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- 28-Cars-Later on Sep 29, 2014
  
  @Marcelo de Vasconcellos I'm sorry I didn't qualify which one, I was referring to the Doblò.
  
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- Marcelo de Vasconcellos on Sep 29, 2014
  
  @28-Cars-Later NP. This Hyundai and Doblo are incomparable. Depends on application. As is, for our market, the Ducato is highly adapted. seems to be doing well in the US, too. Commercial buyers are relatively more rational than private ones. If the Hyundai gains traction in Europe, means it's a good van. If not, would think not.
  
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Slow_Joe_Crow on Sep 29, 2014

That Hyundai van looks a lot like knock-off Sprinter, I wonder if they will try selling it in the US. If they do then the next question is what badge, Hyundai, Kia, Bering (medium duty trucks comparable to Isuzu or Mitsubishi Fuso), or some combination?

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- Marcelo de Vasconcellos on Sep 29, 2014
  
  That's the intention, looks like a Sprinter, a Ducato, a Master etc. I think it signals Hyundai's intention to break and eventually become an integral part of the European commercial market. I may be wrong, but it looks like Hyundai's van efforts have been rather hapless before, though light commercial trucks like the H100 do find niches and compete well with similar trucks from the likes of Iveco (though it seems this specific market is limited in some Western European countries). But the rumors are strong it's coming here (Brazil). From here to Mexico it's a "short" jump across the border.
  
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- Bd2 on Sep 30, 2014
  
  Looks like a typical Euro commercial van - whether it be MB, Ford, etc.
  
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