Two of the most famous vehicles of the Fiat group are back to be produced in the Hordain factory, near Valenciennes in northern France: the high-end minivan Fiat Ulysse, produced between 1994 and 2002, and the commercial vehicle Fiat Scudo, entered in the price list between 1996 and 2012. Inaugurated in 1992, the result of the historic joint venture of 1978 between the then Fiat and PSA Groups, the French industrial complex will therefore once again be the location that will give “life” to the two new models Fiat and Fiat Professional, who will be ready to face the challenges of the new urban mobility with an eye towards the environment.
The two newcomers in fact will be available in 100% thermal and electric versions. In particular, the internal combustion engines will be fueled by diesel, in combination with a manual or automatic gearbox. The Scudo will be offered in three configurations: Van, Combi and Platform Chassis, to meet any professional transport need. Both vehicles are also based on the EMP2 platform, whose modular nature makes it possible to meet specific needs in different markets, adapting to very different models and segments. The same platform is also used for Peugeot Expert and Traveler models, for Citroën Jumpy and SpaceTourer, and for Opel / Vauxhall Vivaro and Zafira Life.
Inspired by the success of their predecessors, the two new models will take the name of Fiat Ulysse and Fiat Professional Scudo. They will strengthen the range of the Turin-based brands, proposing themselves as a valid zero-emission solution for large families, for the recreational vehicle market, for transport with driver, for professionals and fitters.
Fiat Professional Scudo and Fiat Ulysse are back on the street with zero emissions
The new generation of Fiat and Fiat Professional are part of the strategy of the group which is increasingly migrating towards zero-emission mobility. And the use of light commercial vehicles in urban areas, due to an increase in home deliveries of various online sales services, will contribute significantly to reducing emissions in cities. In addition, the versions that provide for the transport of passengers will be able to offer large families to marry an active and “green” lifestyle, but at the same time be able to count on innovative high-tech devices, extraordinary levels of comfort, top spaces of its segment and safety equipment.
Orders for the Fiat Professional Scudo will be opened in the main countries between the end of the year and the beginning of next year while we will have to wait until the first quarter of 2022 to be able to order the Fiat Ulysse.
Stellantis has in mind, in the next three years, to extend the path towards the electrification of commercial vehicles on all the models that it will put on the market in every region where it is present. Furthermore, vans powered by hydrogen fuel cells will also be proposed by the end of 2021.
Stellantis’ stated goal, by 2030, is to have a low emission vehicle sales percentage equal to 70% in Europe and over 40% in the United States. To achieve this, the group expects an investment of over 30 billion euros by 2025 in electrification and software development.