COMMERCIAL vehicle manufacturer Iveco has committed to expanding its local development operation and to manufacture the new Acco truck range in its Melbourne factory.

Evaluation models of the new Acco will start real-world trials in Australia later this year with selected customers.

Assessment vehicles will be trialled over the next nine months with operators including Suez, Cleanaway and JJ Richards.

The Euro 6-rated Acco will be made at Iveco’s Melbourne production facility and share its architecture with the recently launched Stralis X-Way. It will be available in 6×4 and 8×4 configurations and marketed at heavy-duty and tough-work applications.

Iveco Australia business director Bruce Healy said the Acco was “an Australian transport industry legend” and it was vital that the new model would “do the iconic nameplate proud”.

“Developed for the Australian army in the years following World War II, the Acco is Australia’s first locally designed and manufactured truck,” he said.

“Following its inception, the model quickly made the transition from army to civilian life and found a home in all manner of applications, from vocational work to line-haul and everything in between.

“With extensive development over the years, the Acco still continues to hold its own in today’s ultra-competitive truck market, attracting a strong legion of followers who appreciate its rugged Australian design, lean architecture and reputation for durability.

“To replace a transport legend is no mean feat, so extensive local development has been undertaken in preparation for the next chapter of the Acco’s product life.”

The manufacture of the new Acco is a joint effort between the Australian engineering department and the design team at Iveco’s European headquarters.

“Iveco is also very pleased that the Acco will continue to be manufactured right here in Australia at our Dandenong, Melbourne facility alongside our other truck models, the Stralis X-Way and Stralis AS-L,” Mr Healy said.

By Neil Dowling