COVID-19: IVECO at the local communities’ side to counter the spread of the virus in Europe

Tuesday 28th April 2020

As the COVID-19 virus is impacting on everybody's personal and professional lives, the humanitarian challenge becomes increasingly acute. To overcome these challenging times IVECO remains at the side of the communities it operates in, working relentlessly and keeping an open dialogue to provide effective support so that customers and their vehicles can continue to play their important role in ensuring the supply chain operates efficiently.

The IVECO Brand is supporting various local initiatives across Europe to address the challenges raised by the pandemic. Thomas Hilse, IVECO Brand President, stated: 'The IVECO Brand is conscious of its social responsibility as one of the world's largest producers of trucks and buses. Our vehicles enable the transportation of critical goods and help protect local communities across our planet, as well as supporting global food production and the construction of vital infrastructure. We will remain at the side of our communities to support them: because only together, we are unstoppable'.

In Romania, IVECO has offered the use of its demonstration fleet to the authorities. The first three vehicles have been delivered to RED CROSS ROMANIA: two are equipped with freezing units and one is set up with a thermally insulated box for the transportation of medical equipment. Two of the vehicles are fuelled by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), and ENGIE Romania has offered to provide fuel free of charge for the period that the RED CROSS will use the machines. A fourth vehicle has been offered to the Galati Community Group for the transport of food and sanitary materials for the disabled or the disadvantaged.

In Spain, IVECO plants are using their 3D printers to produce protective face masks. More than 400 units have been delivered in a week to hospitals, the RED CROSS, care homes and the police. IVECO Spain has also donated personal protective equipment, such as masks and gloves, to the regional governments in Madrid and Castilla y León. In the latest donation, each plant gave 1,600 surgical masks and 200 FFP2 face masks.

In Italy, IVECO has donated five Daily vehicles to the RED CROSS office in Piedmont for use until the end of November 2020. The vehicles have been prepared, sanitised and handed over ready to fight the spread of COVID-19. IVECO is also providing the non-profit voluntary healthcare 2 organisation 'Soccorso dell'Ordine di San Giovanni in Italia' (Sezione di Ciriè) the use of three vehicles free of charge to support its activities.

In Finland, IVECO has donated the use of a brand-new IVECO Daily ambulance to Helsinki University Hospital for the next three months. The ambulance will transport Covid-19 patients to the hospital.

Finally, to support transport professionals in the effort to keep the supply chain operating, the brand is ensuring all of its Dealers and Authorised Workshops remain operational and at the disposal of its customers. IVECO technicians and mechanics are working to ensure the best service to customers. Wherever possible, they are conducting tele-diagnostics and remote repairs, keeping vehicles on the road without stoppages or visits to the workshop. To ensure strict implementation of hygiene protocols, IVECO recommends that clients, where possible, call in advance to make an appointment at their nearest workshop. Should roadside assistance be required, IVECO's Assistance Non-Stop technicians are available to provide the help needed. Technicians have each been provided with a 'safe kit' which includes the necessary PPE to ensure the safety of both the technician and customer.