New FIAT Ducato Fleet For Eircom

Eircom, Ireland's largest telecommunications provider, has just taken delivery of a new fleet of 34 specially-modified FIAT Ducato vans for use by its technical crews around the country.

The new FIAT Ducatos will replace Eircom's current fleet of Iveco Dailys and thanks to their frugal MultiJet engines, single-axle chassis and lighter overall weight, the new vehicles will be considerably more environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient and cost-effective for Eircom to run.

The high-roof, long-wheelbase FIAT Ducatos have an increased four-tonne payload and are all powered by FIAT Powertrain Technology's exceptional 3.0-litre, MultiJet, 160hp engine. Bodywork modifications include a roof opening for the SkyKing access platform and two smaller openings in the loadbay floor to accommodate the stabiliser legs. Both the platform and the stabilisers are powered by a hydraulic pump driven by the vehicle's engine.

The Italian-made platform extends to an impressive height of 12.5m, allowing technicians to work on Eircom's overhead cable network in comfort and safety, and can be operated either using controls in the platform or via a second set of controls inside the vehicle. Naturally, all SkyKing lift systems conform to the strictest EU safety standards.

According to Willie Garbutt, Eircom's National Fleet & Supply Chain Operations Manager: "The FIAT Ducato is the perfect size and has the ideal payload for our requirements. We have a large number of FIAT vehicles in our fleet and we find them very reliable and comfortable, with excellent back-up service."

Eircom has also taken delivery of 39 new FIAT Doblos for use by its Eircom Phonewatch division, bringing the total number of FIAT vehicles on Eircom's fleet to more than 550.