Fiat Professional at the 2014 Caravan Salon Düsseldorf
From 30 August to 7 September, the German city of Düsseldorf will host the Caravan Salon, the world’s largest event dedicated to caravanning and open-air tourism. As leisure vehicle conversion sector leaders, Fiat Professional certainly could not miss out on this prestigious event.
The New Ducato is set to be the undeniable star of the German Salon, with six motorhome bases on display to the general public for the first time: from the short wheelbase glazed van to the various chassis cab options, and the chassis cowl versions with lowered chassis, 130 kW (177 HP) turbodiesel engine and Comfort-Matic robotisedgearbox. All configured with black grille and door mirror covers, the vehicles on show at Düsseldorf also offer an extensive range of outstanding practical features to make the new Fiat Ducato the perfect motorhome base, such as the navigation system, the rear camera to assist with reversing and the pivoting “captain’s chair” seats.
This is just a small part of the New Ducato’s extraordinary specific “motorhome base” range, the widest and most comprehensive range in its segment, with 5 wheelbases, 6 different chassis lengths and 4 engine options. In total, by combining different bodies, capacities and engines, a record number of 600 specific motorhome versions can be achieved. These figures confirm the model’s unrivalled position: currently, more than three motorhomes out of four sold in Europe are created on a Ducato base.
During the first six months of 2014, the Fiat Ducato was the highest selling vehicle in Europe in the “2.8 – 4.0 tonne” category. A success which is backed up by the fact that the Ducato base has been at the top of its segment for years, as well as being the chassis of reference for all European motorhome manufacturers. And it’s no coincidence that today more than 500,000 families travel on board motorhomes built on Fiat Ducato bases, enjoying their holidays in complete confidence and total peace of mind. This is the result of the unique experience and constant communication between Fiat – with its engineers, designers and assistance specialists throughout Europe – and motorhome manufacturers, dealerships, journalists and customers. Now it’s the New Ducato’s turn to prove itself worthy of its predecessor’s reputation as the most popular base in this sector on the European market, and the first totals for this year certainly confirm its great potential: in the first six months of 2014, the Ducato base has achieved record sales on several European markets, and most notably in Germany – the continent’s biggest market – where, from January to June 2014, more than 13,000 units were sold, an increase of more than 10% on the first half of 2013.
Fiat Professional’s Düsseldorf display will be topped off by a concept vehicle on a Fiat Ducato base, offered as the ideal “mobile workshop”. The prototype was created in collaboration with Mopar, the brand of reference for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles services, customer care, original spare parts and accessories. And that’s not all – visitors to the Düsseldorf Salon will also be able to find out about the latest products and services designed and offered by Fiat Professional in conjunction with Mopar.
