Truck News: Volvo Trucks Malaysia Achieves Significant Growth in Sales For 2014

Volvo Trucks Malaysia has achieved 38.5% growth in truck sales for the performance year of 2014, marking its most robust growth rate recorded in the last 15 years. The company sold a total of 451 units of trucks, out of which 422 units were Volvo trucks and 29 units were Renault trucks. The growth has further boosted Volvo Trucks’ competitiveness gains here, driving upwards its market share and rendering it the number one position in the European heavy duty commercial vehicle segment in Malaysia.

What does this tell us? 2014 has been quite a good year for those doing transportation as there is either expansion or replacement of truck fleets. Logistics is a big thing in this region and I am quite glad that we're still in the loop when it comes to international and regional trade even with the slightly sordid picture that's being painted by some about Malaysia. Take note people and let's keep the momentum going.

PRESS RELEASE

Volvo Malaysia Achieves Stellar Growth in Truck Business

Shah Alam, 10 April 2015 – Volvo Malaysia has logged an unprecedented achievement of 38.5% growth in truck sales for the performance year of 2014, marking its most robust growth rate recorded in the last 15 years. The company sold 451 units of trucks, out of which 422 units were Volvo trucks and 29 units were Renault trucks. The growth has further boosted Volvo Trucks’ competitiveness gains, driving upwards its market share and rendering it the number one position in the European heavy duty commercial vehicle segment in Malaysia.

The achievement demonstrated a highly well-performed year for Volvo Trucks, led by strategic initiatives in dealership network enhancement implemented as additional measures to drive growth and the increased in customers’ demand for its trucks. 2014 was also a year that was capped by top honors as Volvo Trucks took home the title of ‘Truck of the Year (Heavy Duty Prime Mover 2 Axle Category)’ award at the New Straits Times-Shell Rimula Truck of the Year Awards.

Mats Nilsson, Managing Director of Volvo Malaysia commented, “We are thrilled to have ended 2014 on such a sturdy note. I believe our results for the year reflected on our unparalleled commitment to make strong progress on the execution of our truck business’ strategic plan.”

“This strong performance has been a compelling contributor to our top market position in the heavy duty commercial vehicle segment in Malaysia. We will continue to focus on improving the utilization of our resources and streamlining our processes to further capitalize on the country’s logistics and haulage industries’ growing needs for reliable and efficient transport solutions” said Nilsson.

According to Volvo Malaysia, the positive growth recorded for its truck business has largely been attributed to the company’s strategic planning directed towards the enhancement of its dealership network, launch of new trucks, expanded aftermarket services and initiatives in drivers’ training for the benefit of its customers.

2014 was a pivotal year that saw the continued implementation of the company’s dealership enhancement and refurbishment initiatives served to standardize its network of dealerships in accordance to Volvo’s dealer operation standards.

A total investment of RM75 million was previously announced for this strategic initiative. The investment was utilized for dealership upgrades as part of Volvo’s promise to extend and improve its aftermarket support and truck ownership experience for its customers.

“Currently, we have completed the facility enhancement of our Kuantan, Seberang Prai, Johor Bahru, Kuching, Sibu and Ipoh dealerships to increase productivity, service quality and customer satisfaction with faster turnaround and less downtime” said Nilsson.

As part of the dealership enhancement program, new services were also added to deliver long-lasting truck ownership experience to customers. On this front, Volvo Trucks has invested and installed new brake tester and launched the Fast Track Service at its Shah Alam dealership. The brake tester facility helps to identify and analyze faults on brake systems and improves overall efficiency to the trouble shooting process. The Fast Track Service comprises four dedicated lanes to handle minor repair work of trucks below two hours. Thus, it reduces wait time and clears other lanes for more complex diagnosing and repair work.

May 2014 saw the arrival of Volvo Trucks’ latest cutting-edge truck range in Malaysian shores – the all new Volvo FM and Volvo FMX. The launch of the new truck range was held in conjunction with the company’s participation at the ASEAN Logistics and Transport Show 2014 and marked by a truck handover ceremony to Felda Transport, a key customer that has Volvo trucks in 90% of its fleet. The all-new Volvo FM and Volvo FMX are developed to cater to the needs and growth of the heavy duty truck markets and carry a wide range of applications on a single platform, from both off-road and on-road use for a variety of industries like mining, construction and long-haul transportation.

Recognising the importance of the trucking industry as the lifeblood of the economy, Volvo Trucks also continued to hold its signature annual event, the Volvo Fuelwatch Challenge 2014, to coach drivers on fuel-efficient driving and to help companies reduce wastage and truck operating costs.

In addition, Volvo Trucks further displayed its commitment to enhancing road safety with the launch of the Volvo Driver Development Programme to boost training for drivers. Volvo Trucks believes that total transportation solutions go beyond merely creating quality products and equipping drivers with sound knowledge on truck operation and safe driving is equally important.

“We believe that in 2015 Malaysia’s economy will sustain its growth momentum seen in 2014. The economy will continue to project stability, supported by growth in major economic sectors such as manufacturing, construction and oil and gas, expanding international trade and growing domestic demand. This augurs well for the logistics and transportation industry.

Malaysia plays a very important role to our global business strategy and we will continue to provide high quality offerings and transcend the Volvo values and benefits to our customers and partners” added Nilsson.