News: December 2008

Volvo Trucks Deliveries November 2008

Volvo Trucks’ deliveries in the month of November declined with 8% compared with the year-earlier period.

Due to the current uncertainty in the economy, the overall demand for new trucks in Europe continues to be weak. The European delivery rates in the month of November are down with 30%. The demand for trucks in North America has not recovered. The deliveries in North America decreased in the month of November with 25%. The downturn has now started to impact the demand in South America. However, the deliveries in South America and Asia remained at a high level. In the month of November, the deliveries were up 4% in South America and 100% in Asia, whereof the Middle East increased with 156%. Volvo Trucks has during the autumn adapted the production capacity on all main production sites globally. www.volvo.com

Scania starts cooperation with Kohler Power Systems

Scania’s 12- and 16-litre marine engines will be used in Kohler’s high-output marine generators.

“Scania is looking forward to a long-term relationship with Kohler Power Systems. This cooperation is yet another proof that Scania’s engines fulfil the performance and reliability requirements for engines in marine genset applications. It also constitutes a major step for Scania into the North American market,” says Mikael Lindner, Sales Director for the marine segment, Scania Engines.

Kohler, a major global actor, has been manufacturing marine generators for the pleasure craft, mega yacht, sports fishing as well as commercial marine markets for nearly 90 years and has expanded its service and support network to more than 600 locations worldwide.

Kohler Power Systems recently launched a new line of diesel-powered marine generators at the International workboat show in New Orleans. Kohler is expanding its product range to include 350 and 500 kW generators. Both will be powered by Scania engines. Kohler’s marine generators are designated EOZC (60 Hz) and EFOZC (50 Hz). At the exhibition Kohler displayed the Scania 12-litre engine in its 350 kW marine genset and Scania exhibited its range of marine engines.

www.scania.com

Cooperation between MAN and Volkswagen strengthened in Brazil

German manufacturer Volkswagen has announced the acquisition by its partner MAN AG of its subsidiary VW Truck & Bus, located at Resende in Brazil. Estimated at 1.175 billion Euros, the transaction is set to be effective from January 1st 2009. Within MAN AG, this acquisition represents a key step in its international development strategy. Employing almost 5,000, with a production volume of more than 47,000 vehicles in 2007 and sold in 30 countries, VW Truck & Bus constitutes the leading HGV manufacturer in Brazil. For Volkswagen, transferring its HGV activities to MAN strengthens its synergies with this company, of which it is the principal shareholder. www.truckeurope.net

Daimler Trucks acquires 10% of Russian truck manufacturer Kamaz

On December 12, 2008, Daimler AG, Kamaz, Russian Technologies State Corporation and Troika Dialog signed an agreement in Moscow governing the exclusive strategic partnership and outlining the main principles and methods of cooperation between Kamaz shareholders.

Under the terms of the agreement, Daimler will acquire a 10 percent stake in the share capital of Kamaz from Troika Dialog for 250 million USD to be paid in December 2008. Another one-time payment of up to 50 million USD will be due in 2012 subject to successful business performance of Kamaz.

In exchange, Daimler AG will receive a seat on the Kamaz Board of Directors, while other rights of Daimler being a minority shareholder in Kamaz, as well as its status of the exclusive strategic partner will be governed and secured by the agreement signed today. www.daimler.com

2009 Amsterdam truck show cancelled

The European Road Transport Show at the RAI in Amsterdam next autumn has been cancelled.

Organisers decided to pull the show after most of the major truck manufacturers decided not to exhibit.

DAF had already made known its intentions not to have a presence at RAI in 2009.

A spokeswoman for the show says:" After discussions with the truck manufacturers we decided that because of the economic conditions we would not hold the European Road Transport Show in 2009."

She adds that the organisers expect the next show in 2011 to go ahead as usual. www.roadtransport.com

Austria in conflict with Commission

Austria is still forbidding HGV’s of over 7.5 tonnes transporting certain loads (stone, earth, waste) from using a section of the A12 motorway in Inntal. It would seem inevitable that this situation will have to come before a legal tribunal following the latest attempt by the European Commissioner for Industry, Günter Verheugen, to allow the transit of HGV’s meeting Euro-5 norms. www.truckeurope.net

MAN Nutzfahrzeuge and Force Motors step up involvement in India

MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG increases its share in the Indian joint venture MAN FORCE TRUCKS Private Limited from 30 to 50 per cent.

MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG increases its share in the joint venture with Force Motors Ltd. from 30 to 50 per cent. "In increasing our share we are taking on more responsibility for the further successful expansion of our activities in India. MAN will be significantly spurring on sale of our Indian-built trucks in the growth markets in Asia and Africa," said Anton Weinmann, Chairman of the Executive Board of the MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Group. "Force Motors welcomes the closer involvement of MAN. This increase in its holding is proof of its confidence in our successful joint venture," added Abhay Firodia, Chairman and Managing Director of Force Motors.

Begun in 2006, the joint venture produces heavy trucks with the MAN CLA brand for India and for export to Asian and African countries. Some 90 per cent of the parts used now come from local suppliers. All local suppliers are meeting MAN's high quality standards. The product range extends from chassis via construction-site tippers to semitrailer tractors for long-haul transport. The MAN CLA occupies a leading position as a premium truck in the Asian market thanks to its technical equipment standard, comfort, safety and high-quality production.

The joint venture is now in a position to invest in further expansion of production and the sales network. In future the joint venture will be managed from MAN Nutzfahrzeuge and Force Motors in close co-ordination. www.man-mn.com

Volvo Trucks fights alcohol at the wheel

One fatal accident out of three is caused by alcohol. Volvo Trucks has decided to take the bull by the horns and undertake a European campaign in collaboration with the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), called ‘Safe & Sober’. Amongst the measures envisaged to combat this menace are ‘alco-locks’ which could be fitted to cars, trucks and buses. Volvo Trucks is a supporter of this measure and was the first manufacturer to offer a factory-fitted alco-lock on its vehicles, from 2005. www.volvo.com