Daily turns 40

In 40 years, more than three-million Iveco Daily vehicles have been manufactured on three continents and have hit the roads in 110 countries.

Since it was first launched in 1978, the Daily has constantly evolved to meet the changing needs of Iveco’s customers. It has introduced groundbreaking innovations that have changed the industry: from the adoption of a truck-derived chassis with rear traction and independent front suspension, to the introduction of common-rail technology in 1999 – a world first – or the advanced Electronic Stability Program (ESP) for regulating vehicle handling during steering and braking.

Pierre Lahutte, Iveco brand president, comments: “This year we are celebrating an important milestone in the life of the Daily – a family of vehicles that has been ahead of the industry right from its beginning, and 40 years on is spearheading the industry’s transition to sustainable transport.

“Throughout its long history, it has enjoyed enormous success with transport operators and industry experts alike, reaping numerous awards across the world. It is a vehicle family that has always looked to the future and has known how to anticipate our customers’ needs, while remaining true to its core values of versatility, reliability and efficiency – always the perfect partner for our customers’ businesses and environmental sustainability.”

While this versatile vehicle has catered to the needs of industries such as couriers, waste collection, public services, tow trucks and ambulances, it has continued to set new standards. Just some of its achievements are:

• 1978: the first Daily is a 17 m³ van with 210-cm interior height – the first in the industry – powered by a 2,5-litre diesel engine.
• 1984: the family is extended with the arrival of the first Daily 4×4.
• 1985: the TurboDaily is the first light commercial vehicle (LCV) to introduce turbodiesel technology.
• 1998: the ECODaily is the first LCV featuring a compressed natural gas (CNG) engine.
• 1999: the second-generation Daily reaches the market and is immediately crowned “Van of the Year 2000” – it is the first vehicle in the industry to introduce common-rail technology.
• 2000: Production begins in Brazil, in addition to the manufacturing plant in Suzzara.
• 2004: Production begins in China.
• 2006: New design and introduction of ESP.
• 2009: the innovative Daily Electric is launched.
• 2010: Daily reaches the milestone of two-million units sold worldwide.
• 2014: the third-generation Daily is launched and immediately crowned “Van of the Year 2015”. Its wide line-up includes the brand new Daily Hi-Matic, featuring Iveco’s class-exclusive, eight-speed automatic transmission that immediately becomes a best seller.
• 2016: the Daily Euro-6 builds on this success and further raises the bar on performance with advanced features such as the intelligent EcoSwitch PRO system that automatically reduces torque when needed without driver intervention, reducing fuel consumption with no compromise to productivity. It also introduces a new level of connectivity with its revolutionary app, BUSINESS UP.
• 2017: the sustainable Daily Blue Power family enters the market with the unique offer of three technologies – electric, natural gas and “the most advanced diesel technology on the market” that meets 2020 Real Driving Emissions regulations three years ahead of time. It crowned “Van of the Year 2018”.