NAVECO, the joint venture between IVECO and SAIC, has celebrated the first New China Daily light commercial vehicle coming off the assembly line at its new plant in Qiaolin, Nanjing
The New China Daily, dubbed the light commercial vehicle of the future, will be on sale in China later this year and be ready for export markets in 2018. It complements the NAVECO Daily range with the European Daily and its vehicles of higher tonnage.
The new generation 7-ton unit was unveiled at NAVECO's new automated plant in Nanjing – marking a new era for IVECO as it enters its fourth decade in China. IVECO was the first European OEM to establish a partnership with a local commercial vehicle manufacturer.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on July 7, Pierre Lahutte, IVECO Brand President said, "Today is an important milestone for us at IVECO and for our NAVECO partnership in China. We enter strongly into the fourth decade of our presence and partnership with NAVECO's investment of 1.8bn RMB in this brand new state-of-the-art manufacturing setup. Along with the New China Daily, the new plant is a commitment to deliver a top quality product to the Chinese market."
The 843,000sq m plant will increase NAVECO's production capacity from 40,000 to 100,000 vehicles a year. It is a world-class green operation using solar photovoltaic and recycling solutions. NAVECO aims to reduce energy consumption by 30 per cent and increase per capita output value by 25 per cent.
The production of the major components such as engines, suspensions and gearboxes are concentrated in one location to maxmise efficiency and engine production is ninety per cent automated. High precision welding is carried out by more than 130 robots.
Lahutte added, "Through World Class Manufacturing, this facility puts quality and sustainability at the heart of its operation and will play a central role in our strategy support China's transition to sustainable transport and manufacturing."
NAVECO competes in the light commercial bus and van industry, accounting for a total market share of 365,000 units in 2016.
