After taking an initial batch of IVECO Daily vans in 2017, Europcar Mobility Group Australia, has added 195 Daily units to its IVECO commercial vehicle fleet.
Comprising of 150 vans and 45 Pantech-bodied cab chassis, the new vehicle, will assist the company in expanding its presence in the commercial vehicle rental market, with an additional 241 units also on order and due to enter service with Europcar in the first half of 2022.
At 12m³ in volume, the Daily 35S van models that Europcar have specified can be driven on a passenger car licence whilst still offering ample. load-carrying ability.
The 35S features a 8-speed full automatic transmission and a new 2.3l 136hp (350Nm) Euro 6-rated turbodiesel engine, with enhanced emission performance and fuel efficiency.
The cab chassis models (45C) can also be driven on a car licence and are equipped with a larger 3.0l Euro 6-rated turbodiesel engine which produces 180hp and 430Nm. These light trucks feature a Pantech body and rear tail lifter.
A key differentiator of the Daily range – when compared to cab-over competitors – is its superior safety performance. These models offer a full suite of standard safety equipment that includes four SRS Airbags, Advanced Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, front and rear disc brakes with ABS and ‘ESP 9’, IVECO’s advanced electronic stability program.
According to Europcar Commercial Director, Jonathan Dexter, offering rental customers access to a fleet with superior safety was extremely important for the business.
“The Daily range provides an impressive overall safety package and fits well with our brand’s position in the market as a company that operates a modern, safe and reliable fleet,” said Dexter.
“We’re also mindful that many of our customers are not full-time drivers of commercial vehicles, so providing them with vans and light trucks that are easy-to-use, while still having a large payload is important.
“The Daily is also a standout performer when it comes to emission performance, and again this aligns well with our corporate sustainability goals.”
Europcar’s recent Daily purchases are due to both an increased demand for commercial vehicle rentals as well as the company’s fleet rejuvenation program, which now sees the company rotate its commercial vehicle fleet every 36 months on average.
Dexter said that the Europcar had experienced strong demand for its services in recent months.
“In the business-to-business space, we’ve seen growth in the transport and logistics sector on the back of demand increasing for home deliveries, including directly from retailers pivoting to delivery models,” he said.
The new vehicles are also providing Europcar with some ongoing cost benefits.
For rental companies the major cost associated with running their fleets is servicing and maintenance expenses, in which the Dailys fare extremely well, according to Europcar Fleet Director Michelle Coventry.
“There are reduced maintenance costs in running the IVECO Dailys thanks in part to their longer oil change intervals (50,000km), which deliver ongoing, measurable benefits for us and our customers,” said Coventry.
“We’re enjoying growing our relationship with IVECO and looking at expansion opportunities between our companies for the future.”