Volvo 2008 Annual Report Download - page 60

range of light, medium-heavy and heavy trucks,
as well as buses, bus chassis, engines, vehicle
components and specialized vehicles.
During 2008, demand in Japan weakened
further and, after a strong start to the year,
most of Nissan Diesel’s export markets were
also affected by the global economic down-
turn during the second half of the year.
UD TRUST
Nissan Diesel offers a service initiative called
UD-TRUST together with a vehicle lease. Under
this service, Nissan Diesel handles all the paper-
work associated with the insurance, taxes and
other procedures for a single truck, as well as
vehicle management assistance regarding regu-
lar inspections, oil changes and other main-
tenance tasks. This integrated service is offered
in response to customer desires to streamline
the necessary paperwork and vehicle mainte-
nance work involved in owning and operating
trucks.
Purchasing this service frees customers
from various necessary tasks associated with
the use of their trucks. In addition, customers’
trucks receive maintenance and inspections
using the latest vehicle service technologies
possessed by Nissan Diesel dealers, thereby
reducing the possibility that a truck might
break down during operation. Customers can
also streamline their operations because the
paperwork and vehicle maintenance tasks for
each of their trucks are greatly reduced.
The UD-TRUST service was launched in
2004 and 26,795 leased trucks are now
covered under this program.
UD Telematics
Nissan Diesel markets the UD Telematics sys-
tem as a comprehensive vehicle management
tool incorporating an internal communication
module. UD Telematics uses two-way communi-
cation and real-time data to support effi cient
truck operation. The system also incorporates
Nissan Diesel’s NENPIOH function that sup-
ports eco-driving by providing real-time voice
guidance concerning fuel-saving driving actions.
In addition, UD Telematics also has functions
for preparing eco-driving and safe driving
reports, as well as a function for collecting vehi-
cle data needed for monitoring vehicle condi-
tions and for maintenance management. More-
over, the system enables offi ces that oversee
fl eet operations to monitor their vehicles in real
time, including the operating status, work
details, present position, driving logs and other
information needed for improving the effi ciency
of vehicle dispatch and delivery operations.
Since UD Telematics sales were launched
in 2006, a total of 5,476 units of the system
have been sold.
Increased service competence
Customers want their trucks to be inspected
and maintained properly so that breakdowns
can be avoided. Providing services that meet
customer requirements demands high levels of
technical skills. Since 1970, Nissan Diesel has
been conducting a contest for service parts
personnel and service technicians at dealers to
improve their technical skills and customer
interface ability. The 34th contest was held on
November 9, 2008. In addition to contestants
from all Nissan Diesel dealers in Japan, repre-
sentatives from sales companies in South
Africa, Hong Kong and Australia also took part.
Nissan Diesel ranked highest in overall cus-
tomer satisfaction in both the 2008 Japan
Heavy-Duty Truck Ownership Satisfaction
Study and the Light-Duty Truck Ownership
Satisfaction Study conducted by J.D. Power
and Associates.
Nissan Diesel’s fundamental philosophy of
placing priority on close ties with customers is
a universal business principle. Nissan Diesel
will be working harder than ever in sales,
engin eering and service activities to support
customers’ business operations from the wid-
est possible perspective concerning their use
of Nissan Diesel trucks.
Mack Trucks
– weak North American truck
market
The low demand for heavy-duty trucks experi-
enced in the second half of 2007 continued in
the fi rst half of 2008, driven by ongoing weak-
ness in the U.S. economy and a continuing
decline in housing construction, and it was
then exacerbated by an unprecedented escal-
ation in fuel prices.
An anticipated start to a turnaround in the
second half of the year failed to materialize as
the U.S. economy remained sluggish and then
grew markedly weaker with the onset of the
global credit and liquidity crisis. With the exist-
ing population of trucks quite old by historical
standards, there is pent-up replacement
demand in the market.
After several years of steady growth, Mack’s
international business volumes were slightly
lower in 2008 primarily due to challenges
experienced in two key markets – Venezuela
and Australia. Mack export business outside
these two countries increased approximately
37%. But there is a degree of uncertainty
moving forward with the impact of the credit
crunch being experienced around the world.
An increased focus on government and
military business resulted in a series of con-
tracts with the U.S. Army totaling approxi-
mately SEK 300 M over the next three years.
The negotiations on a new agreement with
the United Auto Workers that were launched in
Business areas 2008
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