In 1962, the first civilian AACO (Australian A-line Cab Over) models left the production line at International Harvester’s Dandenong, Melbourne, production works. Some 57 years later, IVECO is celebrating the delivery of the 90,000th ACCO (Australian C-line Cab Over), a name change affected following a move from the ‘A’ to ‘C’ production line.

ACCO number 90,000, a 6x4 model, was handed over to long term IVECO customer, Solo Resource Recovery, a company that has purchased over 1000 ACCO trucks over the last 30 years.

In a small ceremony held last week at the end of the production line, IVECO Australia Business Director, Bruce Healy, presented the vehicle and a commemorative plaque to Solo Resource Recovery National Fleet Manager, David Hancock, while sharing his thoughts on the ACCO’s proud Australian heritage.

“It gives me much pleasure today to be part of celebrating a momentous milestone for the ACCO model, and for Australian commercial vehicle manufacturing as a whole,” Mr Healy said.

“The ACCO is an Australian transport industry icon and has proven to be a real survivor, as its longevity and high production numbers will attest.

“A combination of rugged construction, reliability, fit-for-purpose design and local engineering have made it a favourite for decades, particularly in demanding applications.”

With a new generation Euro6 ACCO shortly to be launched in Australia, Mr Healy said that IVECO was looking forward to building on the nameplate’s proud heritage well into the future.

“The new Euro6 ACCO will continue to be manufactured in Australia and will enjoy many of the same benefits that held its predecessors in good stead for so many years,” he said.

“To this proven equation we’re also adding the latest in emissions technology, safety features and driver appointments, making the next generation of truck an ACCO like no other.”

In receiving the 90,000th ACCO, David Hancock, said he was grateful for the excellent service that the ACCO range and IVECO had provided to Solo Resource Recovery over many years.

“The ACCO has been a staple of Solo Resource Recovery’s fleet nationwide for a long time,” Mr Hancock said.

“We operate 4x2, 6x4 and 8x4 ACCO variants in a range of compactor, hook lift, front end loaders, tankers, ‘RoRo’ (Roll-on / Roll-off) and rear loader operations, and currently have over 500 ACCO units in our fleet.

“There is a reason why we keep using these trucks – for the tough, start and stop work that is part and parcel of refuse collection, it’s difficult to go past the ACCO.

“The trucks are also straightforward to maintain, easy for bodybuilders to build on and the service we receive from IVECO in supporting the range is excellent,” he said.

Despite carrying the mantle of 90,000th ACCO, this new truck will not lead an easy life and will shortly go into service at Tweed Heads as a rigid tanker.