Volvo 2001 Annual Report Download - page 28

Customers
The customers’ everyday operations
The Volvo Group’s customers operate in
many different areas, but the common
denominator is that they all use Volvo prod-
ucts in their businesses. Our customers must
be able to rely on our products and services
– their revenues and profitability depend on
them – and Volvo strives to understand its
customers’ operations since this enables us
to assume the correct approach. Our aim is
to create added value for our customers, and
this means that our ambition is to be the
best possible business partner. Our efforts
are consistently based on customer prefer-
ences, and we focus on the customer in the
development of our products and services on
a continuous basis. Volvo always aim to offer
customers the best solution for their trans-
port needs.
Our truck customers operate in the trans-
port industry, with operations ranging from
urban distribution to construction and long-
distance transports. In the bus field, our cus-
tomers work either in the public sector pro-
viding public transport in cities or regional
areas or on the private market providing
services for regional and intercity traffic as
well as for the leisure industry. Volvo con-
struction equipment is used by companies
involved in such operations as the extraction
of minerals, loading, construction, forestry,
transport and road works. The customers
who purchase our diesel engines manufac-
ture products such as leisure craft, commer-
cial vessels, power-generating equipment and
forklift trucks. In the aerospace industry, we
have customers in both the commercial and
military sectors.
Our products
Since products produced by the Volvo
Group are used in our customers’ opera-
tions, they must be regarded as an aid to cre-
ating and improving profitability. The prod-
ucts should be capable of being operated as
efficiently and economically as possible for
long periods, with only a limited number
of brief, scheduled interruptions. Efficient
planning of service and maintenance enable
customers to improve their utilization rate,
and hence their profitability.
The Volvo Group’s core values are quali-
ty, safety, environmental care, and this per-
meates all our products.
Customer surveys
Volvo’s work, and our ultimate objectives,
are based on ensuring that customers are
satisfied with us and our products. We
conduct regular surveys to find out how our
customers perceive us, what we do well, and
where there is scope for improvement.
These surveys indicate how Volvo can con-
tinue to meet customers’ needs, and they
provide a basis for the systematic improve-
ment of our performance.
Product renewal
The year 2001 was characterized by exten-
sive product renewal in most of the business
areas. In the beginning of the year, Mack
launched the Granite, a versatile truck for
construction applications. Renault present-
ed, early in the autumn, the new version of
its long-haul truck, the Magnum, as well as
the Midlum 18t and 4x4. Later in the
autumn, Volvo launched its totally new
FH/FM-series, with a new 500-hp engine for
the FH.
VOLVO IN SOCIETY
Transport planning
Dynafleet 2.0 is the only complete
transport information system on the
market and provides clear, up-to-the-
minute information throughout an
assignment, making it possible for
everyone in the transport chain to
make the best decisions quickly.
Decisions that will improve efficiency
and profitability.
In the competitive environment of
today, every transport must be “In
Time” to avoid expensive disruptions.
In order to achieve profitability in
conditions like this, you need more
than just a totally reliable vehicle
fleet. The people who carry out the
work must be able to make the best
decisions regarding all steps in the
operation. Transport information sys-
tems such as Dynafleet 2.0 makes
this job easier and at the same time
minimizes the risk of mistakes.