CNH Industrial took part in the 2016 Fuel Choices Summit in Tel Aviv, Israel. The Company shared updates on its latest alternative fuels programs in Israel, including the delivery of the country's first ever natural gas powered vehicle.

LONDON, Nov. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE: CNHI /MI: CNHI), together with its sister company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), took part in the 2016 Fuel Choices Summit, an international event held from November 2 – 3 in Tel Aviv, Israel. The two Companies presented results and updates regarding their activities related to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) – signed in February 2015 between FCA, Iveco (a brand of CNH Industrial), Magneti Marelli (a brand of FCA) and the Israel Fuel Choices Initiative (IFCI). This MoU established a co-operation between the parties to develop alternative fuel and natural gas-based technologies.

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The Government of Israel has set an objective to establish the country as an alternative fuels knowledge hub and, as such, the Fuel Choices Initiative, Israel's national program for alternative fuels in transportation, serves as a catalyst for the reduction of global dependence on crude oil. The Fuel Choices Summit explored and exhibited innovation in alternative fuels and smart mobility, providing a platform for a dialogue about the world's most forward-thinking approaches to transportation in order to promote Israel's ambitious goal of reducing 60% of the country's oil consumption by 2025. The fourth annual edition of the Fuel Choices Summit was hosted by Israel's Prime Minister and counted 1,500 participants, 1,000 entrepreneurs, 300 international guests, 450 start-ups, numerous scientists, speakers, and automotive and energy companies from more than 30 countries.

CNH Industrial has cooperated with IFCI over the last two years to target these objectives and is strongly committed to reducing the environmental impact of road transport, a key pillar in the Company's sustainability policy.

CNH Industrial across its range of Iveco trucks and buses and FPT Industrial powertrain technologies is a recognized leader in the development, manufacture and distribution of vehicles powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and biomethane. CNG combustion is less polluting than petrol and the majority of CNH Industrial's vehicles are also ready to run on this alternative fuel.

CNH Industrial's commitment to natural gas vehicles

Through its Iveco, Iveco Bus and Heuliez Bus brands, CNH Industrial is the European market leader in natural gas vehicles, thanks to the alternative powertrain technology developed by its FPT Industrial brand, which specializes in industrial engines.

From 1996 to present, the Company and its brands have developed the most extensive range of CNG, LNG, hybrid and electric public passenger vehicles on the market. Today, CNH Industrial's brands are leaders in terms of market share for alternative fuel vehicles currently on the road in Europe, with a running park of more than 16,000 vehicles, including 5,800 dedicated to public transport. Last year, more than 900 natural gas Iveco and Iveco Bus vehicles were delivered to customers and 25% of low floor city bus units produced by Iveco Bus in Europe were powered by natural gas.

With over 25 years of experience and more than 32,000 CNG engines sold, FPT Industrial is a pioneer in natural gas solutions for both the on-road and off-road markets. Furthermore, the brand has the broadest engine range on the market for on-road use and is able to satisfy requests for both commercial vehicle and bus applications.

In Israel, the partnership with the Israel Fuel Choices Initiative marked a concrete result last year with the delivery of the first ever natural gas powered vehicle in the country: an Iveco Stralis heavy truck powered by CNG, which was ordered by Fridenson Group, one of Israel's largest logistics companies. The transaction was managed by MCA, Iveco's exclusive importer in Israel, which also represents several FCA brands.

Natural gas represents a bridge to gas from renewable sources, such as biomethane, which is derived from refined biogas. Biomethane can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 100% without any changes to the existing natural gas distribution network or natural gas vehicles available on today's market. The major part of CNH Industrial's commercial vehicles and bus portfolio is fit to run on biomethane.

In this context, CNH Industrial's agricultural machinery brand New Holland Agriculture is currently testing its T6.140 Methane Power tractor. This second generation prototype represents a key step towards the Energy Independent Farm concept, which focuses on the ability of farms to produce energy from natural sources, in this case biomass, that in turn will power the machines and the farm itself. This is another future concept that could successfully be applied in many global agricultural scenarios, including the Israeli farming sector.

The New Stralis Natural Power from Iveco

In June, Iveco launched the New Stralis NP (Natural Power), which runs on compressed and liquefied natural gas, and is the most sustainable international transport truck ever. It features the new FPT Industrial Cursor 9 Natural Power Euro 6 engine, the first of its kind to deliver the same power and torque output as its diesel equivalent.

The LNG-only version of the New Stralis NP has a record range autonomy of 1,500 km, resulting in it being the first true long-haul gas truck on the market that offers an alternative to diesel vehicles and the most sustainable long-distance transport truck ever. This model was presented to key Israeli customers over the past months, who have voiced their appreciation for its additional power and autonomy.

Today, Iveco is ready to offer its full range of natural gas vehicles in Israel, with an established service network in conjunction with MCA. Within the context of a transport system focused on alternative fuels, such as the one planned by the Israel Fuel Choices Initiative, the New Stralis NP, together with Iveco's complete natural gas product portfolio, represents the perfect answer to achieving a fully sustainable transport system.

CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE: CNHI /MI: CNHI) is a world leader in the capital goods sector backed by solid industrial expertise, an extensive range of products and a worldwide presence. Each of the individual brands belonging to the Company is a major international force in its specific industrial sector: Case IH, New Holland Agriculture and Steyr for tractors and agricultural machinery; Case and New Holland Construction for earth moving equipment; Iveco for commercial vehicles; Iveco Bus and Heuliez Bus for buses and coaches; Iveco Astra for quarry and construction vehicles; Magirus for firefighting vehicles; Iveco Defence Vehicles for defence and civil protection; and FPT Industrial for engines and transmissions. For more information on CNH Industrial: www.cnhindustrial.com

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