Fiat sells more commercial vehicles than the Alfa Romeo and Lancia cars combined, so no expense has been spared to win market share from rival German, French and Japanese marques in every segment.

The company is in the middle of a new commercial vehicle blitz so by August six new models will have been launched. The Doblo is already here, a Punto van is on the way, the new Ducato range is winning new friends and a Sedici van will soon be on the forecourts.

Next up will be a "mini cargo" van which is expected to be based on the Grande Punto. The Punto van and the Sedici van will be fitted out in Ireland.

The old Scudo range offered three options but with the new design there will be 10 van versions, six- and nine-seater Combi versions and the five-seat Panorama Family comes with five options, all of which have good levels of comfort and safety with a huge cargo/luggage area in the rear.

When it comes to the commercial van in the Scudo range, Fiat has set out to woo the driver with car-like seating and driving dynamics. There is good space for the driver and two up-front passengers and all versions come with two airbags, radio/CD controls on the steering wheel and anti-lock brakes are standard.

The Scudo comes in long and short wheelbase units. The bodies are now longer and higher and the increased payloads range from 1,000kg to 1,200kg, including the driver. The retail prices start at Euro20,500 for the van and from Euro31,500 to Euro32,800 for the Combis and Panorama Family versions.

There are three diesel engines - a new 1.6-litre 90bhp multijet fivespeed, a 2-litre 120bhp multijet sixspeed and a 2-litre 140bhp multijet six-speed. Fiat claims all have exceptionally good low-end torque and are very fuel efficient.