Fiat has a long tradition when it comes to building utility vehicles. So long that one of its main models in the current range has just reached it 35th birthday. Sold in more than 80 countries worldwide and 10,000 variants, the legendary Fiat Ducato is celebrating its birthday.
The first Ducato rolled off the production line at Val di Sangro’s SEVEL (Societa Europea Veicoli Leggeri) factory in October 1981.
Today, the sixth-generation Ducato is produced in three countries (Mexico, Brazil and Italy), with a better payload than ever (2,100kg) and even the option of air suspension.
Other milestones reached over the years include the introduction of Steyr-Puch all-wheel drive in 1989, the all-electric Ducato Elettra launched in the early 1990s and winning International Van of the Year in 1994.
Its third-generation variant became a game changer when, for the first time in the sector, the gear lever was incorporated into the central console, facilitating access to the cab from both doors and from the cab to the loading compartment.
The popularity reached more than five million sales since its launch. Sold in more than 80 countries worldwide, including North America since 2013 by RAM under the name of Promaster, the Ducato is now produced in three countries (Mexico, Brazil and Italy).
