Mr Martin said, “In Asia Oceania we are looking at a stable yet highly competitive premium market that we want to lead with our brand Volvo Trucks. We will do this by following a strategy that will bring us closer to the customer, excelling in three key areas: product, service, people.”
An internal study by research agency GfK has shown that Volvo Trucks is the number one in brand image in most of the markets in Asia, in their segment. Also interms of customer satisfaction Volvo Trucks has gained leading positions, having been ranked number one in Indonesia and Malaysia for instance.
Mr Martin elaborated: “Attrition rate for customers is very low. Sales gets customers through the door and after-sales keeps the customer. Therefore we need to maintain a comprehensive view on our customers’ business, offering tailor-made solutions, based on their actual needs. We want customers to choose us as the No.1 to own.”
All businesses in any industry face unique challenges that directly impact their bottom line. The transport industry is no different. In fact, Volvo’s internal studies of the transport industry have identified six customer needs areas that are particularly important: productivity, uptime, safety, security, driver appeal and fuel efficiency.
Learn more about customer needs in the testimonial video series “What’s your story”, available on www.youtube.com/volvotrucksasia
In looking at the total cost of ownership of any truck operation, fuel efficiency has an especially high impact. For long haul operators, fuel can account for up to half of total operating costs. Finding ways to reduce fuel consumption therefore makes business sense.
“We’d like to see our trucks as the most fuel efficient,” Mr Martin said.
“Additionally, our trucks use tools such as Dynafleet, a great hardware featurethat makes use of telematics,allowingthe driver or fleet owner to monitor fuel consumption and driving habits. In doing so, it is possible to identify further cost saving potentials,” Mr Martin stated.
Dynafleet is also used during Volvo Trucks’ annual Fuelwatch competition, a competence development effort, which provides truck drivers with training in safe and fuel efficient driving. Won by Australian driver Grant Morice in 2013, the recent Asia Pacific finals in Brisbane showed a difference in fuel consumption of up to 34 per cent among the participants.
Taking the example of a single truck that operates in the long-haul, annual fuel costs could be as high as USD 75,000.As such,net fuel cost savings of just a few percent through improved technology and good driving habits can be already substantial – not to mention the effect of 34 percent savings, as recorded in the recent Fuelwatch competition.
Mr Martin said,“It’s a great example of our tailor-made offer, and how it can make a difference. Fuelwatch unites innovation with care. It teaches drivers to get most out of our trucks and their features, because, as we say, we want to marry the best drivers with the best trucks. It's an unbeatable combination!”
Earlier this year, Volvo Trucks’ FH480 6x2 won the top award with the accolade of 'Imported Heavy Duty Truck of the Year 2014' in China. And in Europe the new Volvo Trucks rangeswept the boards at major transport awards events, for raising the bar on trucking.
When asked about the introduction of the new Volvo Trucks range in Asia, Mr Martin smiled, “Of course the new range will also come to Asia. And I promise, it won't be too long from now. ”
In the latest annual report, Volvo Group announced that its truck operations accounted for 65 percent of the overall net sales in 2013. Combined operations in Asia accounted for SEK53.5bn in net sales, contributing 20 percent to the Volvo Group's global performance.