Total deliveries of trucks from the Volvo Group’s four truck companies through October this year amounted to 185,048, which is an increase of 2%, compared with the year-earlier period. Deliveries from Nissan Diesel only include the period April to October 2007. Excluding Nissan Diesel, deliveries amounted to 157,031, a decrease by 13%, compared with the year-earlier period.
Mack deliveries through October totaled 15,361, down 51% compared with the year-earlier period. Although slightly higher than any other month this year, the deliveries numbers reflect continuing soft demand for heavy-duty trucks in North America. The lower demand is a consequence of customers pre-buying trucks in 2006 in combination with weakness in the freight environment and a drop-off in housing construction. However, the response to Mack’s US’07 products, particularly its MP engine series, remains very positive. Customers continue to report improved fuel economy and drivability - engendering confidence that the company is well positioned when demand improves.
Renault deliveries through October totaled 63,539 trucks, down 2% compared with the year-earlier period. This shows the good performance of heavy duty vehicles (+5%) balancing the lack of the light truck Renault Mascott Euro 4 in the first 5 months. There is good demand for the various types of Renault Premium, in particular the Renault Premium Lander. Deliveries of the Renault Premium range reached 21,000 so far this year, which is an improvement of 11% compared with the previous year.
Volvo Trucks’ deliveries during the period January-October amounted to 78,131 vehicles, down 8% compared with the year-earlier period. The single largest delivery volume ever in Europe for a month was registered in October with slightly more than 6,000 vehicles delivered. European deliveries are so far this year up 21% of which Eastern Europe accounts for most of the increase, a rise of 86%.
Production disturbances in North America earlier in the year resulted in a large order backlog with long lead-times. To address the long lead times, Volvo Trucks has temporarily increased production rates at the New River Valley Plant as from the end of October until the end of January, when the production rate will be reduced to about the same level as it was before the temporary increase.