The period of Covid-19 lockdown across Europe is tough for many businesses – it is no exception for the truck manufacturers. The factories have been closed for around six weeks and require total reorganisation to be able to open again safely for the production workers.
Despite this, all manufacturers have been able to keep their parts and service networks open as the trucks that are on the road all have to be maintained and repaired to keep the food and goods arriving at our doorsteps and supermarkets.
So, no easy ride for the truckmakers.
It is impressive to see that Iveco are trying to assist in other areas with the supply of vehicles to ease the burden of this crisis.
Thomas Hilse, IVECO Brand President, said:
“The IVECO Brand is conscious of its social responsibility as one of the world’s largest producers of trucks and buses. Our vehicles enable the transportation of critical goods and help protect local communities across our planet, as well as supporting global food production and the construction of vital infrastructure. We will remain at the side of our communities to support them: because only together, we are unstoppable”.
What is Iveco Doing?
In Romania, IVECO has offered the use of its demonstration fleet to the authorities. The first three vehicles have been delivered to RED CROSS ROMANIA: two are equipped with freezing units and one is set up with a thermally insulated box for medical equipment transport. A fourth vehicle has been offered to the Galati Community Group for the transport of food and sanitary materials for the disabled or the disadvantaged.
In Spain, the IVECO plants are using their 3D printers to produce face mask protectors. More than 400 units have been delivered in a week to hospitals, the Red Cross, care homes and the police. IVECO Spain has also donated personal protection materials, such as masks and gloves, to the regional governments in Madrid and Castilla y León. In the last donation, each plant donated 1,600 surgical masks and 200 FFP2 face masks.
In Italy, IVECO has donated the use of five Daily vehicles until the end of November 2020 to the local Red Cross office in Piedmont the use. The vehicles have been prepared, sanitized and handed over ready to fight the spread of COVID-19. IVECO is also providing the non-profit association “Soccorso dell’Ordine di San Giovanni in Italia” (Sezione di Ciriè) the use of three vehicles free of charge to support its activities.
In Finland, IVECO has donated to Helsinki University Hospital the use of a brand-new IVECO Daily ambulance for the next three months. The ambulance will transport Covid-19 patients for the hospital.