So what was so important about the first month of the 1980s I hear you ask?
Well, according website spiritus-temporis, plenty happened in January 1980.
Jimmy Carter bailed out the Chrysler Corporation, 14-year old Nigel Short became the youngest chess player to be awarded the degree of International Master, Israel and Egypt established diplomatic relations and Hewlett-Packard announced the release of its first personal computer.
But what the website fails to mention was arguably the biggest event of all – the creation of Iveco (UK) Limited.
This advert, which ran repeatedly in Motor Transport and Commercial Motor in the first few issues of 1980 explained the situation:
“On January 1st, 1980, Iveco (UK) Limited was created from Fiat Commercial Vehicles Limited and Magirus-Deutz (Great Britain) Limited. This further move enables Iveco to reinforce its position in the UK. The trucks and networks of both Fiat and Magirus-Deutz will thus get a stronger support, greater efficiency, better service and better availability of spare parts. From now on, running Fiat and Magirus-Deutz trucks will be easier still for you, with Iveco’s broadened organisation behind you.”