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

 

[Beany 996]

But that mean you will initially have to pay for another Motorhome to start with, then have to sell it immediately when it arrives?

CazPaul
Basically yes but I will sell the new one as the additions on the one purchased a couple of years old is fully loaded. There maybe an option to sell to a dealer as the prices have moved on up. Will see if the new one ever turns up.

 

[Teedubyaa]

Well at long last after ordering at the NEC Feb ‘22 we collected our new Rapido V68 last Friday - and very pleased with it bar Rapido somehow didn’t fit the front panoramic skylight we had ordered! But as my wife said, life is too short to make it too big a deal. We’ve covered 350 miles and I’ve found the new 9 speed auto very smooth and delighted with 33mpg. And after 14 months van-less, glad to be back!

 

[GMLS]

Well at long last after ordering at the NEC Feb ‘22 we collected our new Rapido V68 last Friday - and very pleased with it bar Rapido somehow didn’t fit the front panoramic skylight we had ordered! But as my wife said, life is too short to make it too big a deal. We’ve covered 350 miles and I’ve found the new 9 speed auto very smooth and delighted with 33mpg. And after 14 months van-less, glad to be back!

Hope you have joined the Rapido Owners Facebook page.We are a friendly lot

 

[GeorgeyB]

So after a slightly over 2 year wait our Rapido 696f has finally arrived. It was ordered in October 21 and we collected it this week. Its not been easy waiting this long but having finally collected it we are very happy and yes it was worth the wait. So to those of you still waiting just hang on in there and they do turn up eventually.

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[MichaelT]

We ordered a new Malibu Van a few weeks ago with a delivery date of June 2024. To get this date we had to accept one that had already been ordered and reserved by the dealer, which means we get no choice about the already specified Fiat. However the Malibu specification was open to alterations to meet our requirements, they even accepted a change of model. We are getting almost exactly what we want except we probably wouldn’t have chosen a black van but a few extra decals will break that up nicely.

We have done the same with a new Carthago c Compactline, customer cancelled. Fiat part locked in so stuck with light chassis but it does have 16" alloys so we are uprating front springs and air on rear so dealer can register at 4t via SV Tech. We were able to change Carthago spec so got what we wanted (could afford) build date is currently 18th January so hoping it doesn't shift and will give us an April pick up.

 

[Lenny HB]

We ordered a new Malibu Van a few weeks ago with a delivery date of June 2024. To get this date we had to accept one that had already been ordered and reserved by the dealer, which means we get no choice about the already specified Fiat. However the Malibu specification was open to alterations to meet our requirements, they even accepted a change of model. We are getting almost exactly what we want except we probably wouldn’t have chosen a black van but a few extra decals will break that up nicely.

We have done the same with a new Carthago c Compactline, customer cancelled. Fiat part locked in so stuck with light chassis but it does have 16" alloys so we are uprating front springs and air on rear so dealer can register at 4t via SV Tech. We were able to change Carthago spec so got what we wanted (could afford) build date is currently 18th January so hoping it doesn't shift and will give us an April pick up.

Same with us but it does mean I've got to suffer RHD and quite a few bits I don't want like, RHD, Rear steadies, Central Locking, alloy wheels, light chassis & Fiat Infotainment system.
At least they fit the uprated brakes, hubs & wheels from the heavy chassis so once uprated the only limit will be the rear axle at 2240 kg after fitting air.

 

[Minxy]

Same with us but it does mean I've got to suffer RHD and quite a few bits I don't want like, RHD, Rear steadies, Central Locking, alloy wheels, light chassis & Fiat Infotainment system.
At least they fit the uprated brakes, hubs & wheels from the heavy chassis so once uprated the only limit will be the rear axle at 2240 kg after fitting air.

I'll have the rear steadies please Santa Lenny as I assume you're fitting levelling and/or air suspension all round?

 

[GMLS]

So after a slightly over 2 year wait our Rapido 696f has finally arrived. It was ordered in October 21 and we collected it this week. Its not been easy waiting this long but having finally collected it we are very happy and yes it was worth the wait. So to those of you still waiting just hang on in there and they do turn up eventually.

Congrats. Join us on the Rapido Owners Facebook page.Lots of advice and meet ups

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

So after a slightly over 2 year wait our Rapido 696f has finally arrived. It was ordered in October 21 and we collected it this week. Its not been easy waiting this long but having finally collected it we are very happy and yes it was worth the wait. So to those of you still waiting just hang on in there and they do turn up eventually.

Didn’t get a free panoramic skylight did you

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[Lenny HB]

I'll have the rear steadies please Santa Lenny as I assume you're fitting levelling and/or air suspension all round?

I've got to do a lot of buttering up to get the air..
I can never see the point of steadies they stop that nice rocking motion.

The steadies are costing me 400 quid so make me an offer.

 

[Bleau’s]

Taking the steadies off my eline this week cannot see the point in having them on with levellers message me.

 

[GeorgeyB]

Didn’t get a free panoramic skylight did you

Sorry mate. Look on the brightside it might be cooler in summer.

 

[miconone]

We ordered an Adria Compact DL in October 2022. The delivery indication from the dealer then was ‘early 2024’. He’s just written to advise of an estimated delivery date of 19/10/23, to him. The dealer did mention Fiat supply issues, especially for autos. If this delivery date is met, we’ll be happy!

We finally collected the Compact yesterday. A good handover, some helpful videos emailed to us beforehand and all the paper manuals nicely collated. There are a couple of small snags which the dealer has acknowledged and promised to rectify. Currently comfortably pitched in Bolton-le-Sands, so far so good!

 

[ontheroadagain]

We finally collected the Compact yesterday

Congratulations. I hope you enjoy it for many years.
We have had ours (Compact SC) for two years now and it has been great.

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[knokinonabit]

I have read this thread from page one through to the end and found it both interesting and depressing in equal measures.
The thread is Fiat orientated, but I feel it is worth adding my own story to this to balance things out. I will try to be brief.

On the 13th of January this year, 2023, Mrs knokinonabit and myself paid a £2,000 deposit for an Etrusco T7.3 QCF.
We opted not to have the front drop down bed or an oven, but have some extras that we want included in the fixed price.
We were given the option of a Fiat or Ford base and chose the Ford. After we had decided on the Ford we were told that the waiting time for a Fiat version would have been 18-20 months. We were told the Ford version delivery would be late May/early June. They had two on order and we had just made the cut off time for our specifications.
On the strength of that we sold our AutoTrail Comanche in February and waited. When the Etrusco had not made an appearance by the end of June, and after several emails and phone calls, we visited the dealer to ask what the delay was. After checking the factory build schedule we were told that it was still on track for the original date. When we pointed out that it had already passed there was an awkward silence, followed by the usual excuse of the factory not updating it's schedule.
Anyway, long story short, we are still waiting, and have been told that March 2024 is the earliest they can predict.
We have enquired about alternatives, other makes from other dealers, also based on the Transit, and no one will commit to giving a delivery date. If they do try they are very vague.

So in conclusion, it isn't just Fiat apparently, so maybe there is something in the thought that the industry is withholding the product to push up the prices.
Something like the oil rich countries do when the price is falling.
Who knows what is going on? All that I know is that we are fed up and I have actually lost the urge to own a motorhome again.
There may be a bargain for someone if it ever does appear.

PS. Etrusco are part of the Hymer Group and are made in the same factory in Italy as Laika

 

[MichaelT]

I have read this thread from page one through to the end and found it both interesting and depressing in equal measures.
The thread is Fiat orientated, but I feel it is worth adding my own story to this to balance things out. I will try to be brief.

On the 13th of January this year, 2023, Mrs knokinonabit and myself paid a £2,000 deposit for an Etrusco T7.3 QCF.
We opted not to have the front drop down bed or an oven, but have some extras that we want included in the fixed price.
We were given the option of a Fiat or Ford base and chose the Ford. After we had decided on the Ford we were told that the waiting time for a Fiat version would have been 18-20 months. We were told the Ford version delivery would be late May/early June. They had two on order and we had just made the cut off time for our specifications.
On the strength of that we sold our AutoTrail Comanche in February and waited. When the Etrusco had not made an appearance by the end of June, and after several emails and phone calls, we visited the dealer to ask what the delay was. After checking the factory build schedule we were told that it was still on track for the original date. When we pointed out that it had already passed there was an awkward silence, followed by the usual excuse of the factory not updating it's schedule.
Anyway, long story short, we are still waiting, and have been told that March 2024 is the earliest they can predict.
We have enquired about alternatives, other makes from other dealers, also based on the Transit, and no one will commit to giving a delivery date. If they do try they are very vague.

So in conclusion, it isn't just Fiat apparently, so maybe there is something in the thought that the industry is withholding the product to push up the prices.
Something like the oil rich countries do when the price is falling.
Who knows what is going on? All that I know is that we are fed up and I have actually lost the urge to own a motorhome again.
There may be a bargain for someone if it ever does appear.

it may be component parts such as computer chips, engine parts such as alternators and other stuff that rely on electronics etc.

 

[knokinonabit]

it may be component parts such as computer chips, engine parts such as alternators and other stuff that rely on electronics etc.

Agreed. It could be any number of things.

 

[Pausim]

Carthago/Malibu opened a new Slovenian factory earlier this year for Malibu PVC production. I can’t imagine that they spent €50-million on a new plant that can handle 3,000 vans a year without some assurances from Fiat about vehicle supplies. Presumably the new factory will also free up space in the existing one for building more Integrated and Semi-Integrated motorhomes. Hopefully this means they are expecting a more predictable supply from Fiat in the future.

 

[MichaelT]

Carthago/Malibu opened a new Slovenian factory earlier this year for Malibu PVC production. I can’t imagine that they spent €50-million on a new plant that can handle 3,000 vans a year without some assurances from Fiat about vehicle supplies. Presumably the new factory will also free up space in the existing one for building more Integrated and Semi-Integrated motorhomes. Hopefully this means they are expecting a more predictable supply from Fiat in the future.

All their vans at the NEC bar 1 were on Mercedes, the 1 was their new model

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[TheMachMan]

All their vans at the NEC bar 1 were on Mercedes, the 1 was their new model

Their PVC’s are still Fiat though.

 

[Pausim]

All their vans at the NEC bar 1 were on Mercedes, the 1 was their new model

I think there may be a backlog of right hand drive vans to catch up with. Two Malibu dealers told me they had ordered LHD vans so they have something to show customers. They seem to have been given some RHD show allocations for 2023 before the October NEC but if you haven’t reserved one of these they are currently talking about 2025 deliveries.

 

[Barchetta47]

I’m not sure what this says about supply but 22/23 year on year UK motorhomes sales are up 5% in the period Jan-Sept. In most other EU countries they are down year on year.

 

[Pausim]

I’m not sure what this says about supply but 22/23 year on year UK motorhomes sales are up 5% in the period Jan-Sept. In most other EU countries they are down year on year.

Interesting and a bit surprising. Perhaps that helps explains why RHD are in short supply and dealers are showing LHD models instead. It must take time for manufacturers to adjust their production lines if market patterns change unexpectedly.

 

[knokinonabit]

Perhaps the sales are up due to orders being placed, but not actually delivered.

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[Soycd]

Adria Twin 640 SLB, ordered October 2022 at NEC..... due at dealers 17/01/2024. Fingers crossed.

 

[Peavy]

Adria Twin 640 SLB, ordered October 2022 at NEC..... due at dealers 17/01/2024. Fingers crossed.

Great news! Almost there

 

[Lenny HB]

Interesting and a bit surprising. Perhaps that helps explains why RHD are in short supply and dealers are showing LHD models instead. It must take time for manufacturers to adjust their production lines if market patterns change unexpectedly.

For a Carthago in LHD it's 2025 delivery

 

[Pausim]

For a Carthago in LHD it's 2025 delivery

My RHD Malibu Van would also have been 2025 if I hadn’t opted for a Ducato specification that had already been ordered. It is due on the Malibu production line early June 2024.

 

[Barchetta47]

For a Carthago in LHD it's 2025 delivery

I appreciate that if you want something specific the lead time might be long. However if you look on Autotrader it’s surprising how many Carthagos are available for immediate delivery particularly for the high end models. It’s the same for Frankia and Burstner. I’m not sure what this indicates but it’s different to the last few years.

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[Lenny HB]

I appreciate that if you want something specific the lead time might be long. However if you look on Autotrader it’s surprising how many Carthagos are available for immediate delivery particularly for the high end models. It’s the same for Frankia and Burstner. I’m not sure what this indicates but it’s different to the last few years.

The Compactline & C Tourer are the only Carthago's being made on the Ducato at the moment. They suspended production on Ducato for the C Line upwards last year, they are all on Mercs. There has not been much of a delivery problem with Mercs.