The History of Iveco and the Daily
The Italian company Iveco S.p.A. (Industrial Vehicles Corporation) is one of the world’s largest commercial-vehicle manufacturers, headquartered in Turin. It was formed in 1975 through the merger of five European brands: FIAT Veicoli Industriali (Italy), OM (Italy), Lancia Veicoli Speciali (Italy), Unic (France), and Magirus-Deutz (Germany).
Today Iveco has manufacturing facilities across Europe, China, Russia, Australia, and Latin America, serving customers through a network of more than 5,000 sales and service points in 160-plus countries. The company produces around 150,000 commercial vehicles a year, with revenue of roughly €10 billion.
The Birth of a Legend: The Iveco Daily
The Iveco Daily is the company’s flagship model, produced since 1978 and a genuine legend among light commercial vehicles. Over more than 40 years of production, more than 3 million units of this versatile van have been sold.
Unlike most vans, which use unibody construction, the Daily uses a separate ladder-frame chassis, typical of heavier commercial vehicles. That gives it exceptional strength and durability.
Why the Iveco Daily Is the Ideal Choice for a Convoy
When it comes to business transport, especially for motorcades and representational purposes, the Iveco Daily offers a unique combination of qualities:
- ✓ Inconspicuousness: The look of an ordinary service van draws no unwanted attention
- ✓ Comfort: A spacious cabin comfortably seats passengers
- ✓ Reliability: The frame construction and proven engines guarantee trouble-free operation
- ✓ Versatility: After a duty run, the vehicle can just as easily handle the company’s everyday needs
- ✓ Economy: Reasonable fuel consumption and affordable servicing
The Model’s Evolution: First Through Third Generation
First Generation (1978–1999)
A revolutionary vehicle for its time, it was initially sold under several badges depending on the market — Fiat Daily, OM Grinta, Alfa Romeo AR8, Unic Daily, and Magirus Daily. The original lineup included the 30F8, 35F8, and 40F8, with gross weights of 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 tonnes respectively.
Key Milestones of the First Generation:
- 1985: The turbo-diesel TurboDaily variant arrives
- 1990: A major restyling with an updated cab
- 1996: A second restyling and the introduction of a 2.8-liter engine
Second Generation (1999–2014)
In 1999, a radically redesigned second generation arrived, with a more modern, rounded cab. The model won the prestigious "Van of the Year" award in Europe in 2000. The Daily was the first commercial vehicle fitted with Common Rail fuel injection.
The engine lineup included:
- F1A 2.3L: 95–116 horsepower, turbocharged with Common Rail
- F1C 3.0L: 136–166 horsepower, chain-driven camshaft
Third Generation (Since 2014)
The current third-generation Iveco Daily, in production since July 2014, represents a deep overhaul of earlier versions. In 2015, the model again won the European "Van of the Year" title.
Key features of the modern Daily:
- ADAS driver-assistance systems (from 2019)
- LED daytime running lights
- Improved fuel economy
- Expanded customization options
Innovation and the Environment
Electric Versions
Iveco is actively developing cleaner technologies:
Iveco Daily Electric
A fully electric version with ZEBRA batteries and an 80 kW electric motor. Range of up to 280 km, with a 10-hour charge time.
Iveco eDaily FCEV
A hydrogen fuel-cell model (since September 2022). 7-tonne payload capacity, a clean technology built for the future.
Global Production
The Iveco Daily is built at modern plants around the world:
| Country | City | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | Suzzara (near Mantua) | The main plant, with upgraded production lines |
| Spain | Valladolid | European production (since 1991) |
| China | Nanjing | Production since 1991, the Power Daily model |
| Australia | Dandenong South | Assembly for the Asia-Pacific market |
| Serbia | Kragujevac | European production |
The Iveco Power Daily for Emerging Markets
Built specifically for markets in Asia, Africa, and the CIS, the Iveco Power Daily is manufactured in China on the third-generation Daily platform. It comes with a Sofim 2.8L engine, offered in three states of tune:
- 105 hp / 245 Nm (Euro 2 standard)
- 116 hp / 269 Nm (Euro 2 standard)
- 126 hp / 285 Nm (Euro 3 standard, Common Rail)
The Iveco Daily in Russia: Good Deals
Special terms for Russian buyers!
In Russia, the Iveco Daily is available at especially attractive prices, thanks to optimized logistics and localized servicing.
The Russian market has always mattered to Iveco. In 2007, an attempt was made to localize production through a joint venture called "Saveko" in Nizhny Novgorod, with a planned output of 25,000 vehicles a year. Though the project fell through amid the economic crisis, interest in the Russian market remains strong.
Advantages of Buying in Russia
- Competitive pricing Save up to 15%
- A developed dealer network Nationwide
- Parts availability Fast delivery
- Qualified service Certified centers
Uses and Variants
The Iveco Daily’s versatile platform supports a wide range of specialized builds:
Passenger Versions
- • Minibuses seating 8–22
- • Shuttle vans
- • Tour buses
- • School buses
Cargo Versions
- • Refrigerated vans
- • Flatbed trucks
- • Tow trucks
- • Mobile shops
Special Versions
- • Fire trucks
- • Ambulances
- • Police vehicles
- • Mobile workshops
Technical Specifications of the Modern Daily
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Gross weight | 3.5–7.2 tonnes |
| Length | 5.4–7.3 meters |
| Width | 2.05 meters |
| Height | 2.3–2.8 meters |
| Cargo volume | Up to 19.6 m³ |
| Engines | 2.3L (116–156 hp), 3.0L (170–210 hp) |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual / 8-speed automatic |
The Future of the Iveco Daily
Iveco continues to invest in the Daily’s development, betting on:
Green Technology
Expanding the electric and hydrogen lineup to meet the strict environmental standards of the future.
Digitalization
Rolling out telematics, autonomous-driving systems, and digital services to improve operating efficiency.
Conclusion
The Iveco Daily remains the benchmark among light commercial vehicles, combining more than 40 years of manufacturing experience with cutting-edge technology. For Russian buyers, it’s an excellent opportunity to get a reliable, versatile, economical vehicle at a good price. Whether for duty runs, cargo, or passengers, the Daily handles any job, staying an inconspicuous, dependable partner in business.
The Iveco Daily — the choice of professionals worldwide for more than 40 years