Chrysler 2009 Annual Report Download - page 104

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In China, Naveco - the 50/50 joint venture with Nanjing Automotive Corporation (NAC), a subsidiary of the SAIC
Group - sold 25,037 light vehicles in the Power Daily range (up 12.7% over 2008) and 50,670 medium vehicles
in the Yuejin range (up 37.8% over 2008).
In 2009, SAIC Iveco Hongyan Commercial Vehicles Co. Ltd., held 33.5% by Iveco, sold 19,598 heavy
commercial vehicles, representing a 12.3% decline over the previous year.
Including LSVs (for agricultural use), these two joint ventures sold a total of 107,000 units, up from
92,000 in 2008.
In Russia, no further investment was made in the joint venture between Iveco and the industrial group Samotlor-
NN due to the global recession (which was particularly harsh in Eastern Europe) and its severe repercussions
on our partner’s financial stability.
INNOVATION AND PRODUCTS
Innovation continued, as in previous years, with both product- and methodology-focused initiatives geared
toward sustainable mobility.
Product innovation centred around six key elements: new-generation low environmental impact vehicles,
best-in-class fuel efficiency, high-quality cabin environment, cost-effective solutions for frames, excellence in
preventive safety and the evolution of telematic capabilities.
Innovation in methodology focused on the following key areas: product development processes, virtual
analysis, performance measurement and control, product-process integration and the upgrading of
technical standards.
In 2009, Iveco continued to seek innovative technological solutions to both lowering emissions – an area in
which Iveco has always been an innovator – and improving fuel efficiency.
The line of CNG-powered vehicles was expanded and all vehicles in this range comply with the strictest
European emissions regulations, well in advance of the regulatory deadline. Iveco is the only manufacturer
of trucks and commercial vehicles in the world today to offer a complete range of low environmental impact
vehicles which run on alternative fuels.
During the year, investment also continued in the development of diesel-electric hybrid technology. Of note
was the continuation of road testing, in collaboration with major international customers, of the diesel-electric
hybrid Daily (minibus and van versions) and, in the medium segment, the diesel-electric hybrid Eurocargo,
the first European vehicle of its type and size designed for urban use. Iveco’s latest generation of hybrid
technology offers up to 30% fuel savings for urban use and a consequent reduction in CO2 emissions through
the application of sophisticated operating and control systems which optimise propulsion systems for urban
driving conditions.
Iveco is also actively testing alternative fuels and next-generation lubricants. In particular, current research
relates to two lines of biofuels – one derived from vegetable oils and not disruptive to the food chain, and the
other based on biomass – as well as the new, synthetic low and ultra-low viscosity lubricants with low ash
content, which aid in reducing fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, and improving compatibility
with particulate filters. This latter area of research led to development of a new low-viscosity (SAE 5W30) and
low ash content (LowSAPs) motor oil for F1 engines which went into production in 2009.