According to Automotive World, which quotes Xinhua, Daimler Trucks and Beiqi Foton are still talking about some form of heavy truck relationship. In 2007, the two companies signed a MoU, but this was later cancelled as the Chinese government said No.

At present, the heavy truck industry does seem to be showing a preference for India – Daimler – Hero, Volvo – Eicher and the like. But one Euro – Indian JV – Tata and Fiat – does not seem to be a happy place at present. Nothing seems to be happening, and this report suggests that it is on hold, and may yet be canned.

For Iveco, this would be a disaster. Its place in the heavy truck business is far from assured, and without a headline JV such as that offered by Tata, things would begin to look very bleak indeed.