IVECO

Iveco S-Way truck has all 2023 production sold out in Brazil

Anyone who wants to buy the Iveco S-Way can now join the queue. That's because the manufacturer from Sete Lagoas (MG) has all the production of the model scheduled for this year sold. According to the automaker's product marketing director, Bernardo Brandão, the wait for the S-Way represents about 30% more than the forecasted volume for the year. In this sense, the executive informs that, to try to serve all customers, the manufacturer is adjusting production.

Likewise, to provide flow, Iveco will make partial deliveries to customers who buy large volumes. Thus, the company hopes to be able to supply other customers who buy fewer units. "With each new order, we have to request an increase in production. Many times, we manage to increase a little and, then, fit deals that would supposedly remain for 2024. But this is not always possible, because we depend on suppliers", he explains.

Productive bottlenecks...To handle the demand, Iveco currently works with two shifts. For now, it won't be necessary to increase for another shift because there is still a bottleneck regarding components. However, according to Bernardo Brandão, the situation in the supply chain has improved. Especially from the second half of 2022.

"I would say that we are on the way to normality. In terms of volumes, there are still restrictions. For example, sometimes I order a thousand components. But the supplier has to distribute these components to the entire industry. amount I need", explains the marketing director.

Product...Anyway, Brandão says that, even with production bottlenecks, there was an increase in demand for the S-Way precisely because it was new on the market. And that arrives updated in front of the Hi-Way. In this sense, the executive highlights the 15% reduction in diesel consumption compared to the predecessor. As well as the technologies incorporated in the new truck, such as the powertrain with new powers, torques and ratios.

Furthermore, Brandão celebrates the fact that Iveco has conquered space in the heavy truck segment. Therefore, the company is now looking for after-sales solutions, in addition to product improvements. "We reached a 15% share in this segment and brought an updated product that could take us back to that position. In addition, we are cautious. Thus, we evaluate case by case to offer the customer a suitable truck", completes Brandão.

Iveco as a manufacturer...Iveco is currently working on repositioning the brand. Among the novelties, it began to carry out consultancy and studies to serve each carrier, according to the operation. Thus, Brandão informs that it will be increasingly rare for Iveco to offer off-the-shelf products. Especially in the heavy truck segment.

With the new positioning, Iveco is also studying to enter new segments. Like, for example, off-road operations. "Even in Europe, all the other products offered by the brand, whether in mining or more serious use, are based on S-Way. Therefore, now with the arrival of this new platform, we are able to go to the market with more assertive products ", sums up the executive.

For now, Brandão says that the brand is in the study phase. And it did not help in which segments it will be able to operate. But Iveco still doesn't have heavy off-road products. And this seems to be a natural path for the brand.

S-Way sales... Anyway, in terms of product, Brandão says that 60% of S-Way sales are in the 6x2 configuration. In addition, the remaining 40% are for the 6x4 model. And in powers of 480 hp and 540 hp. Sales still do not account for the S-Way 4x2, which will arrive in the country only in the third quarter of 2023. Iveco is also studying bringing the 450 hp engine to meet the stump configuration. About the gas-powered S-Way, the model is being tested, and sales are scheduled for the second half of the year.

Reporting: Andrea Ramos (Estadão newspaper), Brazil