Iveco Beats Renault for French Heavy Truck Order
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In December 2010, the resolution of appeals from Volvo subsidiary Renault Trucks allowed Fiat subsidiary Iveco Defence Vehicles to finally sign a contract, and begin supplying the French military with 15-tonne, 8×8 wheel heavy trucks per a 2007 DGA solicitation. The total contract has a ceiling of 2,400 trucks and EUR 800 million, for 4 models: container carrier, shelter carrier, skip carrier, and recovery/wrecker. The initial contract is EUR 160 million (currently around $210 million) for 150 container trucks and 50 recovery/wrecker machines, plus maintenance and spare parts.
The M320.45WM trucks in question are from Iveco’s Astra subsidiary, who also specializes in off-road construction and mining vehicles. They’re being marketed abroad as the “Iveco High Mobility Range,” and currently serve with Belgium (6×6 version), Italy, and Spain. The trucks are powered by 450 hp FPT Industrial Cursor engines, and haul a partially armored driver’s cab (Iveco declined to offer STANAG protection levels), along with various types of demountable hook-lift body work, trailer towing, and cranes.
Winning in France against Renault Trucks required local industrial partnerships. Iveco is partnered with France Soframe, who will manufacture the bodies and chassis at its facility near Strasbourg. Iveco representatives told DID that this partnership extends to the French contract only. See also Iveco | Defense News.
