March 27, 2008
The number of trucks that Volvo delivered to customers in February was up nearly a quarter on the same month last year, according the manufacturer's latest figures. Worldwide, Volvo delivered 8,907 trucks, up 23% on February 2007, with almost all markets except North America showing sharp rises.
In Europe, 6,080 trucks were delivered, an increase of 38% on the year before, while in South America the increase was 66% (to 1,038) and in the Middle East 38% (561). The poor performance in North America, down 48% from 1,057 trucks in February 2007 to 554 in 2008, was partly attributed to a strike in Volvo's New River Valley plant in Virginia. However, the North American truck market has been under pressure since 2006. Volvo sold 37,000 trucks in North America in 2006 but this fell by more than 50% to 16,000 in 2007.
The latest Volvo statistics also underline how much better heavier trucks (more than 16 tonnes) have been doing than those under 16 tonnes. In the year to date, deliveries in the heavier category are up 21% worldwide, to 17,356, while lighter trucks are down a quarter from 697 in 2007 to 522 this year.
David Harris, Commercial Motor
