Anyone got confirmed news Re Fiat Ducato build delays

[royandsharont]

Hi, I am awaiting a new Adria PVC which should have been here last October but keeps on getting put back on a monthly basis. Now end of June and I don’t believe it will come then if I’m honest. In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if it finally arrived in 2023!

Trying to get any information of the true delay situation from the manufacturers, let alone information that you can trust to be correct and up to date, I am finding impossible. Nothing on the news for Europe but some in America Re shifts being closed at factories there from 2 to 1 a day, but that is about Stellantis car plants I believe.

The delays all appear to revolve around Stellantis production in Italy at their Sevel plant but still none the wiser as to specifically why. Saying the Pandemic repeatedly does not do it for me now.

I would just like to get some honest understanding of why the monthly delays continue and I think all Fiat based manufacturers are pretty much the same.

I wanted to start this Thread for comments from anyone who has got confirmed news or information, rather than rumours and speculation, although if my experiences are the same as others no one will be able to confidently add an update, but here goes

Regards in advance if anyone can add anything

 

[beachwomble]

Did he mention chassis cabs or just vans? I’ve suspected for a while that anything with the 4250 / 4400 weight upgrades won’t get built by Fiat. They’d rather switch that build capacity to standard spec Ambulances that are required at that weight.

I can only speak about my order of a 3.5T Westfalia Columbus van. I was told that Fiat was rationalising the options available on UK bound vans.

 

[Dave7]

Finally got a chassis number for my Carthago order. Eighteen months after placing the order. Expect delivery in 6 to 7 weeks as it is now in build according to

 

[Tony50]

As said weeks ago I was told any body who thought their chassis was on its way to the UK before last November was under a false illusion ( like me!), It transpired (so I was informed) that Stellantis/ Fiat closed its order books before November 2022, and chassis's had to be reordered from November onwards.

 

[Lenny HB]

PAnd anybody expecting their Ducato with the Maxi-Chassis will probably have the option deleted. The main man from Westfalia told me that Fiat is no longer supplying it on RHD vans.

Good job I ordered LHD then.

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[Beany 996]

We ordered our Adria at the Feb 22 show and initially told September 22, then October,November then March 23, and last date is 29th April. Issues with the base vehicles apparently very large orders from the big delivery companies soaking up the builds and chip shortages.
The dealer is honouring the price paid on deposit which has grown considerably and due to a hip replacement we were happy to wait.

 

[arkwright]

As said weeks ago I was told any body who thought their chassis was on its way to the UK before last November was under a false illusion ( like me!), It transpired (so I was informed) that Stellantis/ Fiat closed its order books before November 2022, and chassis's had to be reordered from November onwards.

This is my understanding as well. My dealer whom I'd placed an order with in Sep. 2021 told me that Fiat had said that any orders not fulfilled by by the end of 2022 was cancelled.

 

[Dave7]

This is my understanding as well. My dealer whom I'd placed an order with in Sep. 2021 told me that Fiat had said that any orders not fulfilled by by the end of 2022 was cancelled.

Our Burstner was ordered October 21
We were allocated a chassis a couple of weeks ago so not sure that is true

 

[stevec]

This is my understanding as well. My dealer whom I'd placed an order with in Sep. 2021 told me that Fiat had said that any orders not fulfilled by by the end of 2022 was cancelled.

Ours was ordered Sept 2021 and the order wasn’t cancelled. I’m told it’s in build now.

 

[ontheroadagain]

What I don't understand is why other base vehicle manufactures haven't developed a motorhome cab/chassis.
Fiat have had the majority share for years, and must have sold a lot of vehicles to motorhome convertors.
Ford have made good progress in recent years and hopefully more will follow.

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[Lenny HB]

What I don't understand is why other base vehicle manufactures haven't developed a motorhome cab/chassis.
Fiat have had the majority share for years, and must have sold a lot of vehicles to motorhome convertors.
Ford have made good progress in recent years and hopefully more will follow.

Hymer have changed most of there production over to Mercs,

 

[Mark and Mindy]

What I don't understand is why other base vehicle manufactures haven't developed a motorhome cab/chassis.
Fiat have had the majority share for years, and must have sold a lot of vehicles to motorhome convertors.
Ford have made good progress in recent years and hopefully more will follow.

As I understand it, the Ford Transit bases are not as wide as the Fiat Ducato and so means that a transverse bed for some people would mean having an extra bulge added to the van to accommodate them. I'm 6ft and couldn't sleep transverse in a Ford. At one point we were looking at a Murvi but realised that even the 5.4m wouldn't work because the bed had to be longitudinal and we would lose a cupboard's worth of storage in the daytime when it converted back to a settee.

 

[Lenny HB]

As I understand it, the Ford Transit bases are not as wide as the Fiat Ducato and so means that a transverse bed for some people would mean having an extra bulge added to the van to accommodate them. I'm 6ft and couldn't sleep transverse in a Ford. At one point we were looking at a Murvi but realised that even the 5.4m wouldn't work because the bed had to be longitudinal and we would lose a cupboard's worth of storage in the daytime when it converted back to a settee.

A lot of converters put side pods on Mercs for the same reason but that would only affect PVC's,

 

[GMLS]

What I don't understand is why other base vehicle manufactures haven't developed a motorhome cab/chassis.
Fiat have had the majority share for years, and must have sold a lot of vehicles to motorhome convertors.
Ford have made good progress in recent years and hopefully more will follow.

I agree. I'd happily pay a premium for a MAN/VW or Merc base.The industry if feeling the impact of being in an unbalanced relationship by being too reliant on a single business for a key element of their end product whilst their business is not critical to Stelantis. Day 1 of Supply Chain Management for beginners

 

[Dave7]

What I don't understand is why other base vehicle manufactures haven't developed a motorhome cab/chassis.
Fiat have had the majority share for years, and must have sold a lot of vehicles to motorhome convertors.
Ford have made good progress in recent years and hopefully more will follow.

A few at the show have changed to ford
Who used to be fiat

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[Billylou]

Are Fords slightly longer up front which impacts on the amount of habitation space? I believe that is the case for MAN/Crafter chassis not sure about Mercedes. PVC’s on a MAN/Crafter/Mercedes are noticeably narrower in the habitation area and storage lockers tend to be much smaller.

 

[beachwomble]

Are Fords slightly longer up front which impacts on the amount of habitation space? I believe that is the case for MAN/Crafter chassis not sure about Mercedes. PVC’s on a MAN/Crafter/Mercedes are noticeably narrower in the habitation area and storage lockers tend to be much smaller.

The L3 Transit (6m) is 1.7cm shorter than the L3 Ducato. Its cabin is 3cm longer. I let you do the maths regarding habitation space!

 

[Crazyj]

The L3 Transit (6m) is 1.7cm shorter than the L3 Ducato. Its cabin is 3cm longer. I let you do the maths regarding habitation space!

I have a Ford based Murvi Morello on order. It has enough habitation space for me, and the significantly better driving experience and ride comfort swung it for me

 

[WillysMB]

just been informed our mid march build date now pushed till the end of April ..

 

[sussexlad]

Our April/May build date has been pushed back to June. Our original delivery date was Feb 22, I find it very difficult to accept these dates are based on any proper facts.

I have asked my dealer to comment on whether it is true that Fiat effectively cancelled all orders unfulfilled last November and I am awaiting a response.

Totally fed up.

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[beachwomble]

Our April/May build date has been pushed back to June. Our original delivery date was Feb 22, I find it very difficult to accept these dates are based on any proper facts.

I have asked my dealer to comment on whether it is true that Fiat effectively cancelled all orders unfulfilled last November and I am awaiting a response.

Totally fed up.

Fiat cancelled all the orders of Ducato 8 they were not going to be able to build before the switch to the Ducato 9. It looks like the Ducato 9 will be basically unchanged apart from lower emissions and equipment tweaks so it is obvious there are using this excuse to impose the next price inflation. I've heard from a very good source that Stellantis walked out of a meeting with its major leisure vehicle clients at last year's Düsseldorf Caravan Salon.

 

[Dave7]

We were told we have a chassis number a couple of weeks ago

 

[WillysMB]

what do you mean by this ? our supplier just told us that we had a build date @ week 12 ( mid March ) almost a year since we put down the deposit, assuming that at this point a chassis number is known.

 

[dash300]

Fiat cancelled all the orders of Ducato 8 they were not going to be able to build before the switch to the Ducato 9. It looks like the Ducato 9 will be basically unchanged apart from lower emissions and equipment tweaks so it is obvious there are using this excuse to impose the next price inflation. I've heard from a very good source that Stellantis walked out of a meeting with its major leisure vehicle clients at last year's Düsseldorf Caravan Salon.

Looks like convertors are going to be busy sourcing sufficient alternative base vehicles, re templating and producing alternative brochures! Not a great way to treat long standing customers.

 

[Soycd]

Good job I ordered LHD then.

I'd have done the same when we ordered but for some reason it was not really an option and was going to be more complicated. I’ll just have to get used to RHD.

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[Teedubyaa]

A bit disappointed with my dealer as I have had to chase updates unlike others on here - order Rapido V68 Feb ‘22 with original delivery expected about now. Sold our A class September in anticipation then went to the NEC October and sought out our dealer for an update - delayed towards the end of this year! It would be nice to get an update so I chased them again before Feb NEC - no response so I chased again yesterday and managed to get a response - on the system for end of September build so October delivery (if there’s no further delay )
So looks like about 20 months wait ……

 

[andyelbac]

This explains why we were unable to get a single penny off our new Burstner when we purchased it in August last year. I've been in procurement for 42 years yet was unable to negotiate any reduction in the price. The dealer actually said "If I don't sell it to you today it will be gone by the end of next week". Mind you, if didn't help that my partner was openly ecstatic whilist viewing it in front of the salesman. Five minutes earlier we had the discussion about the importance of maintaining you poker face! The only consolation is that the damn thing is probably worth more now than we we picked it up!

 

[GMLS]

A bit disappointed with my dealer as I have had to chase updates unlike others on here - order Rapido V68 Feb ‘22 with original delivery expected about now. Sold our A class September in anticipation then went to the NEC October and sought out our dealer for an update - delayed towards the end of this year! It would be nice to get an update so I chased them again before Feb NEC - no response so I chased again yesterday and managed to get a response - on the system for end of September build so October delivery (if there’s no further delay )
So looks like about 20 months wait ……

Ours is also a Rapido and I've also had to chase for updates.As the price of our vehicle has increased by 25%, I've just written to them asking for confirmation that Fiat/Rapido and themselves will be honouring the fixed price agreement.If not, I'll be asking for my deposit back.Even though an alternative will still cost 25% extra or more, I'd never be able to enjoy what might be our last new vehicle if they reneged on our agreement.

 

[GMLS]

This explains why we were unable to get a single penny off our new Burstner when we purchased it in August last year. I've been in procurement for 42 years yet was unable to negotiate any reduction in the price. The dealer actually said "If I don't sell it to you today it will be gone by the end of next week". Mind you, if didn't help that my partner was openly ecstatic whilist viewing it in front of the salesman. Five minutes earlier we had the discussion about the importance of maintaining you poker face! The only consolation is that the damn thing is probably worth more now than we we picked it up

I'm also in Procurement and it was possibly the 1st time I've ever paid list price for anything lol

 

[beachwomble]

Ours is also a Rapido and I've also had to chase for updates.As the price of our vehicle has increased by 25%, I've just written to them asking for confirmation that Fiat/Rapido and themselves will be honouring the fixed price agreement.If not, I'll be asking for my deposit back.Even though an alternative will still cost 25% extra or more, I'd never be able to enjoy what might be our last new vehicle if they reneged on our agreement.

Just be careful about that at it may give them an open door to sell your van to someone else and pocket an extra 25%. If your contract hasn't go a price increase clause there is nothing you should have to do.

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[GMLS]

Just be careful about that at it may give them an open door to sell your van to someone else and pocket an extra 25%. If your contract hasn't go a price increase clause there is nothing you should have to do.

I know but it's more complicated with multiple parties each with limited real leverage over those below the supply chain.Rapido are not a big player compared to most others. I can sense they are already wriggling.I'd rather pay more for another vehicle than more for the one I ordered and expected to pay more for, if that's how it goes.The original would be blighted as far as I'm concerned.We will see but also gappy to sell my slot on.