Textile rental company Alsco New Zealand is partnering with Iveco New Zealand and body builder, Action Manufacturing, to develop a more attractive yet fuel-efficient urban delivery vehicle using the New Daily cab/chassis.
Alsco also wanted a streamlined build process matched with a body design that was quite literally ‘outside the box’.
Alsco NZ branch manager David Woodhead says there were a couple of reasons behind the decision to enter a partnership arrangement with Iveco.
“First and foremost was our desire to have one point of contact that encompassed the supply of a suitable cab chassis, along with the supply and build of a specifically designed truck body for our industry,” Woodhead says.
“Secondly, Iveco and Action Manufacturing came up with a very price-competitive turn-key package while also offering Alsco value-added extras.”
He says, “The new aerodynamic design and lightweight fibreglass composite body promote fuel savings, which fits well with Alsco’s environmental and sustainability goals.”
Woodhead says the new model and livery provide a significantly improved brand image for Alsco.
Based on the Daily 50C cab chassis which already benefits from a sleek cabin design and fuel saving measures — including low-friction engine componentry, ‘smart alternator’ and ‘Ecoswitch’, Action Manufacturing’s body further builds on these qualities.
Action Manufacturing industrial designer Will Nicholson says the new design will provide many benefits for Alsco.
“Aerodynamics, brand image and user ergonomics have been a huge driving force for us with the development of the Alsco prototype vehicles,” he says.
“The innovative wing-like roof line has been proven to produce anywhere from seven to 15% fuel savings from reduced drag in large truck and trailer units. Applying this same concept to smaller light commercial vehicles is delivering significant fuel savings and a unique brand image for Alsco.”
Iveco New Zealand general manager Ian Walker says the brand is proud to be associated with Alsco, and to have assisted the company in reaching its goals for the new trucks.
“We’re pleased to have been involved in the project, and to have these eye-catching and innovative bodies fitted to the Daily cab chassis platform,” Walker says.
“Iveco NZ will often collaborate with industry suppliers to try and deliver the best result possible for our customers.”
He says: “The result of this partnership is a modern and efficient truck fleet following a build process that was convenient and hassle free for Alsco.”
It’s a wrap for a unique Daily 4×4
At the Expo last month, Iveco New Zealand displayed a very special modified Daily 55S17 dual-cab 4×4 which featured a dealer-fitted 37-inch tyre package, custom tray and towbar, long-range fuel tank and Narva lighting.
These modifications complement the Daily 4×4’s long list of standard equipment, including standard triple differential locks, and a double low-range transfer case.
Finished in a unique camouflage wrap, this Daily 4×4 dual cab is normally used by former Australian Moto GP rider Daryl Beattie as one of two Iveco-sponsored vehicles in the operation of his outback motorcycle touring company (darylbeattieadventures.com.au).
While the Outback Adventures Daily 4×4 dual cab was on a promotional tour in New Zealand, Dieseltalk briefly got a feel for the vehicle’s ability on a private farm track near Clevedon.
There is no doubt this Daily is much happier travelling off-road than on tarmac, thanks to the enormous wheel and tyre combination as well as the raised suspension needed for greater articulation in the rough stuff.
On tarmac, it can get a bit jiggly and wobbly thanks to the suspension and higher level of gravity, so proceeding with care and allowing plenty of time for braking and steering around corners is mandatory.
It offers enormous levels of traction off-road thanks to having high/low range and low-low-range gearing, as well as the front, middle, and rear differential locks.
You would have to be extremely unlucky to bog this vehicle down, and during our short test run across the farming property it never once lost traction over wet grass and boggy clay surfaces.
Iveco prides itself on being a specialist in light and heavy 4×4 commercials, and the Daily is but one of many specialist vehicles on offer in the expanding New Zealand line-up.
