By anybody’s standards, Volvo Group Trucks runs a formidable operation across the Middle East, with regional responsibility for Volvo Trucks, Renault Trucks, Mack Trucks and UD Trucks.
In 2012 alone, Volvo Group Trucks sold around 224,000 vehicles worldwide. However, not content to rest on its laurels, the company is set to launch a series of complete product renewals in 2014 in line with its long-term strategy for the next 15 to 20 years.
PMV spoke to Marco Bonaveglio, director of marketing and communications for Volvo Group Trucks in the Middle East, to find out how his company is coping with regional instability, and to ask what lies ahead for its prestigious brands.
“2013 has been a good year for Volvo Group Trucks in the Middle East,” he began. “In this part of the world, it can be quite difficult to compare one year with another because of political and economic instability and specific tenders that might affect sales figures. Even so, when we trace our progress over the last five years, we see that our business has grown very well indeed.”
These are certainly encouraging times for Volvo Group Trucks, but what measures is the company taking to protect itself against regional instability?
“We work extremely closely with our network of importers,” Bonaveglio replied. “We have strong brand representatives in countries across the region, and this local knowledge has played a vital role in our success. Volvo Group Trucks Middle East is a well-organised, lean, and focused operation.”
2013 has been an important year for Bonaveglio and his colleagues with significant reorganisation taking place across Volvo Group Trucks in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. However, the company has equally important plans for 2014.
“We have two major priorities for 2014,” Bonaveglio told PMV.
“Firstly, we have identified the Middle East’s strategic truck markets; Iraq, KSA, Qatar, UAE and Oman will be particular focuses for us during this period. Secondly, we have planned several complete product renewals that will take place throughout 2014. We are preparing for the future in a big way. Our activities during the coming 12 months will shape the trajectory of Volvo Group Trucks for the next 15 to 20 years.”
