Volvo 2003 Annual Report Download - page 13

11
Trucks
The Volvo Group is one of the leading manu-
facturers of heavy trucks in the world. The
foundation has been established for aggres-
sive development of new trucks and services
– including systems for telematics and e-
commerce solutions and new forms of
financing.
The three truck brands – Mack, Renault
and Volvo – have highly competitive prod-
ucts and worldwide market coverage.
To t al deliveries from the Group’s truck
operations amounted to 155,989 trucks in
2003, a decline of 1% compared with the
year-earlier period. In Europe, 92,083 trucks
were delivered, compared with 96,289
trucks in 2002. Deliveries in North America
were down 5% compared with the year-ear-
lier period and totaled 34,756 trucks.
Deliveries in Asia, including the Middle East,
continued to develop favorably, particularly in
Iran.
Mack Trucks
Mack Trucks is one of the largest manufacturers
of heavy-duty trucks and major product com-
ponents in North America. Since its founding
in 1900, Mack has built on its reputation for
strength and durability to become one of the
leading heavy-duty truck brands in the North
American market. In the US, Mack is the
undisputed leader in the vocational segment.
A clear majority of Mack vehicles employ dri-
velines manufactured in-house – a unique
feature in the North American truck industry.
The transition of production to New River
Valley was completed on May 1, 2003.
Due to the success of the Granite model
in the vocational truck market, Mack ended
the production of its RD model at the end of
2003 – further streamlining its product line-
up while addressing a broader range of
applications.
Mack trucks are sold and serviced in more
than 45 countries.
Mack deliveries were down to 18,991
trucks in 2003, compared with 23,245
trucks a year earlier. The decline was partly
related to competition from truck OEMs able
to offer engines that are not compliant with
the EPA ’02 emission requirements as well
as the transition of production of highway
trucks from Winnsboro to the New River
Valley plant in the first half of 2003.
Renault Trucks
Renault Trucks is one of Europe's largest
truck manufacturers. It traces its origin to the
Berliet and Renault companies founded in
1895 and 1898. With a product program
that ranges from light trucks for city distribu-
tion to heavy long-haul trucks and military
vehicles, Renault Trucks is a true multispe-
cialist with the ability to meet the specific
requirements of all types of road transport.
In 2003, Renault introduced a light truck,
the new generation of the Renault Master.
The Renault Master features new exterior
and interior design, new engines and
improved performance. The Renault Master
is also accompanied by new service offers to
reinforce and improve Renault Trucks’ market
share in the less than 3.5-ton segment. An
integrated Customer Center was opened in
March within the Saint Priest facilities out-
side Lyon as part of an enhancement intend-
ed to increase service levels and strengthen
the network in Europe. Renault Trucks has a
strong international presence, with 2,000
dealers and service centers throughout the
world, of which 1,350 are located in Europe.
Aftersales services are provided in more than
80 countries.
Renault Trucks’ deliveries during 2003
amounted to 61,686 vehicles, a decrease of
4%. Deliveries to Eastern Europe rose by
11%. In Western Europe deliveries of
99 00 01 03
113.0 115.0 116.6 117.0
Net sales*, SEK bn
*Pro forma 1999–2000.
99 00 01 03
5.0 2.9 1.0 4.0
Operating income*, SEK bn
*Pro forma 1999–2000, excluding restructuring costs.
99 00 01 03
4.4 2.5 0.9 3.4
Operating Margin*, %
*Pro forma 1999–2000, excluding restructuring costs.
Net sales as percentage of Volvo Group sales, %
02
11 8 .8
02
1.2
02
1.0
67%