Iveco attacks Japanese market

In a move destined to grow global sales, Iveco has launched the Stralis NP 400 in Japan. It is the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) truck to be sold in this market.

The company showed the Stralis NP 400 and the Daily Blue Power family at the Japan Truck Show, from May 10 to 12.

The Stralis NP 400 is the first truck that runs on natural gas that has been designed specifically for long-distance transport, and can run on LNG, compressed natural gas (CNG), or a combination of the two.

Iveco has also launched its Daily Hi-Matic Natural Power and Daily Minibus Natural Power in Japan. In addition, Iveco has announced the signing of an agreement with Fuji Transport for the sale of the first LNG truck in Japan, a Stralis NP 400 running on LNG only.

Fuji Transport will use the vehicle on the Tokyo-Osaka route, as well as in its operations for selected customers that include the Japan Postal Service, and will monitor and analyse the performance of the Stralis NP 400 with its telematics and GPS systems.

An Iveco spokesman has told FOCUS that with this sale the company hopes to demonstrate the practicality and benefits of natural gas in transport. “The vehicles will play a key role in the brand’s plans to support the transition to this sustainable energy source in Japan,” he points out.

It will be very interesting to see how well these vehicles sell in Japan, where local brands have an extremely strong following. Watch this space for more news in this regard!