Iveco has taken orders for more than 25,000 Stralis tractor units and rigids across Europe since launching its new heavy truck range, with sales figures in the second half of 2007 approaching those registered for the whole of 2006.

The revised line-up has seen Iveco enter the premium big cab market with its all-new Active Space Super³ - a vehicle offering 20 per cent more internal space (+1.8m³) than the previous AS model.  To date, Iveco has received more than 600 orders for this new ‘range-topper’ from operators in the UK.

Across the complete Stralis range Iveco has witnessed a growth of 25 per cent in UK sales orders and has committed additional production to this market, to meet increased demand for tractor units and reduce lead times to just five months – the lowest lead times in the industry.

Henk van Leuven, Managing Director of Iveco UK, explains: “This year has seen Iveco take part in the biggest communications campaign in the company’s history, and there is no doubt that it has played a major part in our global strategy to invigorate the Iveco brand and drive home the steps forward we have taken with the new Stralis.”

The trends in the UK have been matched in countries across Europe, where Iveco’s share of the heavy truck market has increased to 11.3 per cent.  Figures for August 2007 are 1.5 per cent ahead of the same period in 2006, with Iveco climbing to third place in the market.  In the tractor unit sector, the margin of improvement has risen to 2 per cent, compared to August 2006, with market share currently over 10 per cent.

In France, the availability of Euro 5 engines (which Iveco began offering four years ahead of European legislation making them compulsory) has seen orders for Stralis rise by 22 per cent in just a few months.  In Spain, the increase in orders amounts to 35 per cent - a fact which has contributed heavily to Iveco being crowned leader in the Spanish tractor unit market.  With sales figures amongst the best in the market, the new Stralis has won over large fleet operators based on the vehicle’s spacious and stylish cab interior, impressive fuel economy and proven driveline.

In Eastern Europe, the rise in sales orders for the new Stralis have exceeded 166 per cent, which is reflected in Iveco’s market share, which on average has risen from 8.6 per cent in 2006 to a forecast of 11.3 per cent in 2007. These figures correspond to an increase of 108 per cent in registered vehicles, compared to 58 per cent market growth.