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

 

[Lenny HB]

Would*

Perhaps you should read Rule 1 before posting.

 

[Lenny HB]

I seem to remember a conversation you, Dave and I had at Stratford on Avon as to wether this deal would would be honoured
back in June and am sorry to say I was right unfortunately,
but gives me No pleasure in saying this, But you owe me a pint as that was the bet.
I do hope you find another van for a similar deal.

Only went tits up after Simon left.

Seems a big compromise/ backwards step Lenny going for RHD and a big no no for me would be the light chassis on a A class will really struggle for weight but if it's what you want hope it works for you but spending that much dosh I would be having exactly what I wanted.

Problem is we are 73 and don't want to have to wait another year for a van.
Its under 6.7 m and going to be registered at 3850, with air rear axle can go to 2240 & gross to 4000.

Also the one we have found is on a 2022 fixed price, so about 8k less than current prices.

 

[Ditcha]

Only went tits up after Simon left.

Problem is we are 73 and don't want to have to wait another year for a van.
Its under 6.7 m and going to be registered at 3850, with air rear axle can go to 2240 & gross to 4000.

Also the one we have found is on a 2022 fixed price, so about 8k less than current prices.

If it's got the 9 speed auto you can uprate the light chassis to 4250 it's already got 16" 130pcd hubs etc .

 

[Lenny HB]

If it's got the 9 speed auto you can uprate the light chassis to 4250 it's already got 16" 130pcd hubs etc .

Yep it is, 180 hp & 9 speed auto is standard on RHD.

Does make sense as the heavy chassis is 40 kg more than the light and for the 180+auto adds 15kg.

On the light chassis it adds 55kg.

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[Jim]

likewise those individually making childish remarks need to move on

As do those correcting spelling.

If you are associated with a dealership, the rules are clear that you contact me before posting. You’ll need to do that before you can post again. Thanks.

 

[Simon Select]

As do those correcting spelling.

If you are associated with a dealership, the rules are clear that you contact me before posting. You’ll need to do that before you can post again. Thanks.

I have had 5 phone calls. Its the new sales manager

 

[Lenny HB]

need to move on and let us focus on Mr Kerrs business.

If Jim let's you post again perhaps you can explane to me why my order was cancelled.

I have spoken to colleagues in the trade no one has ever know Carthago to cancel an order

Why did Alan Kerr not bother to inform me.
I only found out by accident 5/6 weeks after it had been cancelled and I had spoken to one of the sales people during that time.

I have never received such bad treatment from a company.

 

[MichaelT]

Only went tits up after Simon left.

Problem is we are 73 and don't want to have to wait another year for a van.
Its under 6.7 m and going to be registered at 3850, with air rear axle can go to 2240 & gross to 4000.

Also the one we have found is on a 2022 fixed price, so about 8k less than current prices.

What air and where from please Lenny HB

 

[Lenny HB]

What air and where from please Lenny HB

Carthago only approve VB air, you can have semi air or full air on the rear or full 4c air not sure of current cost but I think semi is over £2½k, full is around £8½ to £9k.
SAP at Doncaster are one of the best for fitting not the cheapest but they are good.

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[Steve and Denise]

I have had 5 phone calls. Its the new sales manager

As I said we have been here before!
I now have nothing more to say on this subject

 

[Simon Select]

Lenny HB i will sell your van for free to make sure you are ok. @SteveAndd

As I said we have been here before!
I now have nothing more to say on this subject

you seem to have some issue with me, I can’t change that. I am sure you will not say a word the next time I offer free advice for a Funster

 

[Simon Select]

As I said we have been here before!
I now have nothing more to say on this subject

I would love to know your problem with me

 

[Lenny HB]

If it's got the 9 speed auto you can uprate the light chassis to 4250 it's already got 16" 130pcd hubs etc .

Dave, I went into Carthago City yesterday, they had one Compactline plated at 3500
with uprated front springs giving 1960 on the front axle.

If I measured correctly it does have the 130 PCD wheels and it looked like the bigger brakes so that would explane the 40 kg.
Had a grovel underneath and it is the light chassis with 2000kg axle rating.

So with standard front springs can be uprated to 3850 & with heavy duty front springs 3960.

So with air on the rear axle could go to 2240 and gross to 4200 with the uprated front springs.

 

[Orion]

Dave, I went into Carthago City yesterday, they had one Compactline plated at 3500
with uprated front springs giving 1960 on the front axle.

If I measured correctly it does have the 130 PCD wheels and it looked like the bigger brakes so that would explane the 40 kg.
Had a grovel underneath and it is the light chassis with 2000kg axle rating.

So with standard front springs can be uprated to 3850 & with heavy duty springs 3960.

So with air on the rear axle could go to 2240 and gross to 4200 with the uprated front springs.

With those wheels, brakes and HD front springs - 9 speed auto? - plus added air on the rear, it will be able to go to 2400 on the rear for a GVW of 4250 on the light chassis.

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[Lenny HB]

With those wheels, brakes and HD front springs - 9 speed auto? - plus added air on the rear, it will be able to go to 2400 on the rear for a GVW of 4250 on the light chassis.

I'm fairly certain the Al-ko light can only go to 2240 on the rear with air.
Any extra on the front is useless as you can't make use of it.

 

[Orion]

I'm fairly certain the Al-ko light can only go to 2240 on the rear with air.
Any extra on the front is useless as you can't make use of it.

Okey dokey, thought it was the Fiat light chassis that was mentioned.

 

[Lissimore27]

We were told today the Malibu 640 LE ordered in October 22- expected this November - has slipped to a January build so probably not ready to collect until early May!

The wait goes on - glad we haven’t sold out current Motorhome!

 

[headlight]

If Jim let's you post again perhaps you can explane to me why my order was cancelled.

I have spoken to colleagues in the trade no one has ever know Carthago to cancel an order

Why did Alan Kerr not bother to inform me.
I only found out by accident 5/6 weeks after it had been cancelled and I had spoken to one of the sales people during that time.

I have never received such bad treatment from a company.

Sorry to hear that Lenny, some dealers really are pieces of work.

 

[LithiumConvert]

I have spoken to colleagues in the trade no one has ever know Carthago to cancel an order

Many years ago, we had a Carthago on order from a UK dealer. As the delivery date approached we were told that our order had not been accepted by Carthago.

The dealer gave us back our deposit, so somebody had an order on the books.

My own thought was that the order went to somebody else who had the means not to wait in a queue.

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[Lenny HB]

has slipped to a January build so probably not ready to collect until early May!

You should get in Feb at the latest if its build goes through on time.

 

[Ditcha]

I'm fairly certain the Al-ko light can only go to 2240 on the rear with air.
Any extra on the front is useless as you can't make use of it.

You be surprised at how much you can load in the front thro locker and hab door well so quite far forward and remove the front mattress and store clothing, blankets etc up front, unbelievable the amount of storage for the size of the van, and with those weights you have quoted your only a couple of hundred kg from the heavy chassis.

 

[Lenny HB]

You be surprised at how much you can load in the front thro locker and hab door well so quite far forward and remove the front mattress and store clothing, blankets etc up front, unbelievable the amount of storage for the size of the van, and with those weights you have quoted your only a couple of hundred kg from the heavy chassis.

Rear axle will probably still be a bit tight as water tank goes half way under the garage behind the rear axle, that is a stupid bit of design obviously by some one who has never used a Motorhome.

 

[Ditcha]

Rear axle will probably still be a bit tight as water tank goes half way under the garage behind the rear axle, that is a stupid bit of design obviously by some one who has never used a Motorhome.

Ours is the same

 

[Dave7]

If it's got the 9 speed auto you can uprate the light chassis to 4250 it's already got 16" 130pcd hubs etc .

What difference does the gearbox make
I was told at 3850 the light chassis is at its limit
Just interested as I have that combo on a new fiat Motorhome

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[Ditcha]

What difference does the gearbox make
I was told at 3850 the light chassis is at its limit
Just interested as I have that combo on a new fiat Motorhome

For some reason Fiat seem to have uprated the light chassis for the auto version ie 16" wheels the heavy chassis hubs and brakes which means you can uprate further than the manual version of the light chassis, it also looks like if it's a fiat chassis you can uprate it more than the alko chassis Orion made me aware of the new diffences think I a right in saying this only affects Ducati 8.

 

[bigtree]

I’m pretty sure I read in the Carthago catalogue that it is possible to uprate the front axle to 2.3t.

 

[Orion]

For some reason Fiat seem to have uprated the light chassis for the auto version ie 16" wheels the heavy chassis hubs and brakes which means you can uprate further than the manual version of the light chassis, it also looks like if it's a fiat chassis you can uprate it more than the alko chassis Orion made me aware of the new diffences think I a right in saying this only affects Ducati 8.

Agree with all of that. Just received my amended V5C back from the DVLA with revenue weight and mass now at 4250kg. The only item I can’t give confirmation on is whether the brand/specification of the rear air fitted has any bearing on it. I installed Dunlop but maybe those from other manufacturers may not achieve the same rear axle rating of 2400kg? Contact Dee at VWE for advice on that one.

 

[Dave7]

Agree with all of that. Just received my amended V5C back from the DVLA with revenue weight and mass now at 4250kg. The only item I can’t give confirmation on is whether the brand/specification of the rear air fitted has any bearing on it. I installed Dunlop but maybe those from other manufacturers may not achieve the same rear axle rating of 2400kg? Contact Dee at VWE for advice on that one.

Do you have a website for VWE please as nothing came up when I googled it

 

[Orion]

Van Weight Engineering - Services

Built a van conversion and it's now overweight? Bought a motorhome with 400kg and would like the capacity to tour with more than just a pair of trunks?

www.vanweightengineering.com

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[Mark and Mindy]

We were told today the Malibu 640 LE ordered in October 22- expected this November - has slipped to a January build so probably not ready to collect until early May!

The wait goes on - glad we haven’t sold out current Motorhome!

Once we had it confirmed that our van was in build it didn't take anywhere near 4 months before it arrived at the dealer, it might be worth asking why it will take so long. I've just double checked the info we received and we were told that it is generally 2-3 weeks in production and then 2-3 weeks to arrive at the dealer. In the event we received the email saying it was in production on 4 July and it arrived at the dealer on 4 August. Admittedly ours is an Adria but I can't see that Malibu will be that different.