Volvo Growing Product Range, Dealer Network and Fuel Efficiency, CEO Olney Asserts
Volvo Construction Equipment CEO Pat Olney emphasized Volvo’s ambitious investment and expansion plans as well as the introduction of 62 products in 2012 during his press conference speech at Intermat in Paris this week.
Olney began the press conference by highlighting the generally improving trading conditions, in Europe and internationally. Conditions have improved for Volvo CE as well, Olney said, with 2011 sales increasing 21 percent, a record 84,000 machines sold and the company becoming the market leader in the Chinese wheel loader and excavator markets.
Olney also spoke of the company’s success in launching its fuel-efficient Stage IIIB/Tier 4i emissions-compliant range of engine systems. The products will contribute to Volvo’s achieving its WWF climate Savers commitment of reducing CO2 emissions from its machines sold between 2009 and 2014 by 15 million tonnes.
Volvo CE plans to double its dealer network in Russia by 2015 to 90 locations from the current 45, Olney said. Olney also spoke about the progress of ongoing investments in India, Brazil and China.
“Despite short-term uncertainties in some markets, there is much to be positive about in the current trading conditions,” Olney said. “We are continuing to invest throughout the business cycle in our people, our production facilities and distribution networks. With a technologically advanced fleet of innovative — and award-winning — products, Volvo CE is not only optimistic about the future, we are also well-placed to deliver quantifiable benefits to customers around the world.”