Iveco Bus continues record delivery of 160 Crossway LE buses to De Lijn

A European leader in sustainable and innovative passenger transport, the CNH Industrial brand solidifies its pole position in the heart of the EU. Iveco Bus is steadily progressing with the delivery of its important Euro VI tender order to the Belgian Flemish transport operator. Once fully delivered, Iveco Bus will have the largest market share of Low Entry intercity buses in Belgium for 2014.

Grand-Bigard, 7th October, 2014

Close to 50 Iveco Bus vehicles have been delivered to the Belgian Flemish transport operator De Lijn since the brand won a record tender in 2013. De Lijn has a running fleet of more than 2,300 buses, transporting an estimated 500 million passengers each year across more than 225 million kilometres.

The terms of the tender define the total supply of 160 Crossway LE (Low Entry) intercity buses for circulation throughout the interurban network of Flanders. Completed buses have been shipped to De Lijn depots in the Antwerp area. The remaining vehicles of the order are expected to be provided by the end of 2014.

“CNH Industrial is delighted that Iveco Bus has been chosen by De Lijn for this important commission. Our historic commitment to this market combined with our investment in high quality and state-of-the art products and services has enabled us to come out as winners in this verdict. We thank De Lijn for their recognition of these traits by selecting the Crossway LE as the best choice on the market”, said Tom Verbaeten, Managing Director, CNH Industrial Belgium.

Local public sector successes such as this confirm and build upon CNH Industrial’s strength and presence in Belgium, The Company’s lineage dates back to 1906 with its agricultural machinery business. Employing close to 4,000 nationwide, CNH Industrial has commercial offices in Brussels for its trucks brand Iveco and Iveco Bus, operates two manufacturing facilities, in Zedelgem and Antwerp, and oversees its national dealer and service network.

A Centre for Harvesting Excellence: Zedelgem is an engineering, development and production facility for New Holland combine harvesters, large square balers and forage harvesters. It is also home to the biggest R&D centre in Flanders and New Holland Agriculture’s commercial operations for the Benelux, including Sales and Marketing, Parts and Service and Training. The Antwerp site is dedicated to the production and assembly of rear axles and transmissions for New Holland tractors.

Crossway, the undisputed European class leader

A veritable "money maker”, thanks to its versatility and cost-effectiveness, the Crossway
Euro VI model range reinforces its leadership through a substantial reduction in total cost of ownership (TCO) that allows for a rapid return on an investment in Euro VI technology.

Shipping over 20,000 units since its launch in 2006, the Crossway family has marked significant accomplishments, being adopted by a number of important European transport operators.

The Crossway LE that has been customised according to De Lijn’s specifications has
37 seats, 62 standing positions, a UFR space with ramp for passengers with limited mobility and special security fixtures for both passengers and drivers (including an on-board camera monitoring system). The 160 units are being manufactured at the Iveco Bus facility in Vysoke Mýto, Czech Republic. These units are then sent to one of two Iveco Bus Belgian dealers (Gregoor Trucks in Herentals and Belgian Bus Repair in Tildonk), where they are prepared by specialised personnel for delivery and thorough inspection by De Lijn.

Ideal for urban missions from tourism to school and long distance transport, the product range demonstrates its versatility with three new optimised lengths (10.8 m, 12 m and 12.9 m) and five versions:

- LE (Low Entry), homologated for coach and bus applications;

- Line, principally designed for scholastic transport. Its largest model (12.9 m), Crossway Pop, is the only vehicle in the market which does not exceed 13 metres and offers 63 seats, allowing it to retain its efficiency and his agility;

- Pro, the perfect solution for operations requiring a blend between an intercity bus and a tourism bus, it combines accessibility with high comfort equipment.

The Crossway series is equipped with the new Iveco Euro VI Tector 7 and Cursor 9 engines. These engines give the Crossway a larger engine, for more power and torque, while consuming less fuel.

Iveco Euro VI engines adopt the High-Efficiency Selective Catalytic Reduction (HI-SCR) after treatment system. This unique and patented solution functions without the use of EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) and guarantees a reduction in emissions such as nitrogen oxide (NOx) and lower Total Cost of Ownership. It is particularly suitable for rear-engined coach and bus applications due to their cooling package constraints. For an equivalently powered engine, the use of EGR necessitates at least 30% more cooling. This engine technology is extremely well suited for low commercial speeds and frequent stops.

All of this is combined with many other improvements in the transition to Euro VI such as: the modernisation and optimisation of transmissions and the reduction of vehicle weight, which reduces fuel consumption significantly compared to Euro V; and a stronger insulation of the engine compartment, which significantly improves comfort on board. A prime example of this is that the interior noise level has cut by more than half.

Already recognised by the industry as being the "best ergonomic space dedicated to the driver," the driver’s area of the Crossway Euro VI is more convenient as the door has been lengthened by 10 centimetres towards the front overhang. The ergonomics of this work environment have also been enhanced with new styling.

Iveco Bus

Iveco Bus is a brand of CNH Industrial N.V., a global leader in capital goods listed on the New York Stock Exchange and on the Borsa Italiana in Milan.

A major player in the field of public transport, and among the leading bus and coach manufacturers in Europe, Iveco Bus designs, manufactures and markets a broad range of vehicles that meets all the needs of public and private operators:

• school, intercity and tourism coaches (Crossway and Magelys)

• standard and articulated city buses, including BRT dedicated versions, with a strong leadership in clean technologies such as CNG and Hybrids (Urbanway and Crealis)

• minibuses for all passenger transport missions (Daily)

• different chassis for bodybuilders.

Iveco Bus employs over 5,000 people across two production units, in Annonay, France and in Vysoké Myto, Czech Republic. Both factories were awarded the bronze medal in 2013 following their WCM (World Class Manufacturing) audits, an international methodology for managing manufacturing processes according to best standards worldwide.

The extensive Iveco Bus and Iveco service network guarantees assistance around the world wherever an Iveco Bus vehicle is at work.

For more on Iveco visit: www.iveco.com
For more on CNH Industrial visit: www.cnhindustrial.com

For further information, please contact:

IVECO BUS Press Relations
Nicolas TELLIER
Tel + 33 1 30 66 81 46
Mobile + 33 6 86 45 89 56
E-mail: nicolas.tellier@iveco.com

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