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Mr. Virga, why should all garage owners, as well as the commercial vehicle industry, come to Transport-CH in Bern?
Riccardo Virga: Because here you get a prediction of what will happen in the next 24 months. The environment and developments in our industry have changed significantly in recent years. This trade fair is a fireworks display of innovations that significantly impact the decision-making principles of the target audience.
What do you see at the Iveco stand?
Iveco is displayed with the spirit of the future. This year, in addition to the wonderful “Italyanità” during the food and drink line, we are also bringing Swiss engineering from Arbon to our stand. Our expertise in vehicle construction and electric drives can also be seen.
You have been managing Iveco’s Swiss business as General Manager since March. How did you settle here after working for one of the Swedish competitors?
Very good. It feels right to return to Iveco. The pandemic years left their mark on the organization. However, the joy and passion for the brand among employees continues uninterrupted. We have a great team!
How do you align Iveco Switzerland to challenges and transformations both in the market and within the Iveco Group?
Iveco needs to be repositioned primarily in the heavy commercial vehicle field. We will achieve this with the new generation and the restructuring in the sales department. A lot of persuasion and trust is required for technological innovations to be tested and accepted.
They are currently building a new branch at Eclépens VD. Is everything going as planned there?
Iveco has had a very good starting position in French-speaking Switzerland since the beginning. We now have modernity and new products and their services, maintenance, telematics, etc. It is time to adapt to their needs and modernize the infrastructure for this. Everything is going as planned, our branch will open in the first half of 2024. Considering the current activity, Eclépens will become an important location for our customers and interested parties. We have the latest amenities and electric charging options with 350 kW charging power.
In the spring you opened the first public LNG (liquefied natural gas) filling station in Switzerland on the site of the Iveco branch in Muttenz BL. How’s the operation going?
Gladly well. Due to popular demand, we have already managed to switch to a larger tank system. Iveco’s large fleet abroad alone, comprising more than 55,000 gas vehicles, and our strategic location in Muttenz BL formed the basis for this decision. We are currently monitoring political developments in Switzerland. Accordingly, we are deciding whether to move forward with expanding the LNG infrastructure.
At the opening, you said that LNG technology is one of the strategic business areas of the future. What alternative drives does Iveco still rely on?
Gas technology is and remains an important and strategic business area for Iveco. Of course, battery-electric expertise is also one of our strengths. To achieve this, we have built up extensive knowledge in the field of batteries and electric motors. Our FPT engine research at Arbon is at the forefront and we will start driving on Swiss roads in the field of fuel cells as early as 2024.
Iveco used to be a manufacturer and importer of commercial vehicles, but today it is increasingly becoming a service provider. How is this transformation going and what business areas do you still want to conquer?
The service provider must understand the customers’ needs and relieve them of their worries. We took special needs into account. The conclusion here is that we are working on two important flexible mobility projects that will be implemented in the near future and aim to reduce costs for our customers.
For a full-range supplier of 3.5 to 80 tonnes, the energy transition targeted by politicians is a major challenge. Are the general conditions suitable, or what else needs to be changed to make turning possible in heavy traffic?
We are well positioned and will be able to better respond to the challenges of sustainability in the near future thanks to our expanded product range. Not only our products but also the charging infrastructure on Swiss roads play a role. It is equally important to plan and implement the requirements well. In addition to the ability to charge on-site, our customers also need flexible opportunities to take a charging break or catch up on a lunch break.
The former joint venture called Nikola Iveco Europe is now Evco (Electric Vehicles Company). When will we see the first models on Swiss roads?
You can already see a pioneer of this at our stand: The first test drives with a battery-electric range of more than 500 kilometers will be bookable from the beginning of 2024. Our fuel cell version will also hit Swiss roads.
Is your network and, above all, your infrastructure in this country ready for electric trucks?
In the field of light commercial vehicles, the dealer network, especially eDaily, is ready. Training and construction of the charging infrastructure for the heavy-duty series is currently in full swing.
Source: Blick
I’m Ella Sammie, author specializing in the Technology sector. I have been writing for 24 Instatnt News since 2020, and am passionate about staying up to date with the latest developments in this ever-changing industry.
