TURIN, Italy (Reuters) - Truck maker Iveco, part of Italian industrial group Fiat (FIA.MI: Quote, Profile, Research), has postponed a decision on a possible entry into the U.S. market, Iveco's CEO said on Tuesday.

"The U.S. option is ... on stand-by," Paolo Monferino, chief executive of the division, told reporters at the unveiling of the Eurocargo, a medium-range truck, in this industrial city in northern Italy.

"We have not yet taken a decision on the United States because there are a series of initiatives around the world that could offer other opportunities and we can't open so many fronts at the same time," he said.

Fiat Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne had said a decision would be made by the end of the first quarter.

Marchionne had spoken of a number of possibilities, including an acquisition or use of the distribution network run by CNH (CNH.N: Quote, Profile, Research), its farming equipment division based in the United States.

Iveco is one of the market leaders for light- and medium-sized trucks in Europe, but it trails behind competitors in the heavy segment.

It has a market presence in most regions but not the United States, a huge market for trucks.

Monferino declined to elaborate on the other opportunities being considered.

"A decision will be taken this year," he said.