Chrysler 2007 Annual Report Download - page 80

Report on Operations Iveco 79
Kingdom have been managed by the associated company Iveco
Finance Holdings Limited, in which Iveco holds a 49% stake. If
the activity of this associated company is included, the number
of vehicles financed by the Sector Financial Services rose from
35,800 in 2006 to about 37,900 in 2007, with a penetration of
23.2% (23.4% in 2006).
If only wholly-owned companies consolidated on a line-by-line
basis are taken into consideration, vehicles financed in 2007
were 3,030 (2,237 in 2006), with a penetration of 28.3% (22.1%
in 2006).
natural gas powered engines. In the same month, it
participated at the 2007 edition of the UITP (International
Union of Public Transport) Congress in Helsinki, presenting the
new Crossway Low Entry (LE) to the public for the first time.
This model is designed for intercity routes. At the Busworld
Show held at Kortrijk, Belgium in October, Iveco Irisbus
presented the new Magelys touring bus, which covers the high
end of the market.
In 2007 the sponsorship of the New Zealand national rugby
team, the All Blacks, was recognized as one of the most
effective sponsorship communication campaigns in the
framework of the fourth annual Press & Outdoor Key Award.
Services
Iveco Customer Service activities accelerated their expansion
from 2006 levels, in connection with the increase in circulating
vehicles and annual mileage driven per vehicle as well as the
success of the customer loyalty programme, especially in
Eastern Europe.
Logistic activity was completed with integration of truck and
bus activities. The renovation and expansion of the Iveco Cekia
logistic centre were completed in 2007 to improve distribution
service in Central and Eastern Europe. The bases were also laid
for defining the spare parts distribution strategy for the
Russian market.
To deal with the increasingly complex repair business,
resulting from the growing use of electronic technology on
vehicles, Iveco Technical Assistance continued working on three
key factors in 2007: a) powerful but easy-to-use diagnostic
tools, b) adequate dealer network assistance skills, c) roadside
assistance service covering international heavy freight routes
and greater territorial coverage for light vehicles.
The Customer Service Tour 2007 began in June, with the name
“Origin 100% Iveco.” This tour covered roads across all of
Europe, engaging customers, drivers, and owners of vehicles,
in a direct experience focusing on the quality of original spare
parts and customer service.
Since its agreement signed in 2005 with Barclays Mercantile
Business Finance Ltd, the Financial Services offered for Iveco
products in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and the United