“We need to look at the market’s push towards lower power engines,” Gostoli said in summing this point up.
So where are these engines going to go? Well, Gostoli also revealed the latest product plans. The Doblo and Ducato have been recently replaced and are performing well.
Of the forthcoming products, the most important is the all-new Scudo replacement, which is being produced in conjunction with Renault. The current Scudo, which he revealed wasn’t a performer in the UK market, will be replaced with a slightly bigger van, with an as yet unrevealed new name. “It is totally different from the current van and will close the gap between the Ducato and Doblo,” Gostoli added.
Another exciting addition to the Fiat Professional range in 2016 is the One-Tonne pick-up, that’s being developed with Mitsubishi. Gostoli revealed that the new model will have a high level of technology and has been styled to give it an Italian look. He also revealed why he thinks the pick-up is the perfect fit for the company: “We already have a portfolio of customers for it, through the Fiat Professional brand for the Pick-up.”
Further in the future, we can expect more Fiat Professional models to be built on global platforms to save money, as he revealed that he thought a good example was the recently launched Fiat 500X and Jeep Renegade cars, that share the same underpinnings.
With the Ducato’s popularity in motor caravan conversion circles, it’s no wonder his plan is to attack niche conversion markets and has put in a dedicated team to deal with this.
Expect more of a push for CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) rather than electrical power for future alternative fuelled Fiat Professional models. Gostoli reckons this fuel will make more sense to buyers after future emission changes.
“Electric power is not sustainable in Europe,” however he went on to say. “We are ready to enter when the technology is feasible.” Gostoli believes this could be as soon as 2020, when the technology is viable.
He ended the meeting with a warning to Fiat Professional dealers: “Dealers are either in or they’re out. We’re completely reshaping our dealer network, and this is across the world and not limited to the UK. We need the dealer network to be a reflection of us and do things the way we want them to do. Not how they want to.”
He went on to say about the dealer network, which in the UK is up to 73 from 52 in 2011: “There are plenty of dealers that want to work with us and there will be a ‘zero tolerance’ approach with dealers.”
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