This year will be a record year for truck sales by Scania, with the total for 2013 expected to tip over 600 for the first time in the Scandinavian truck maker's time here in Australia.
During the year, Scania launched an update of its R-series and G-series cabs, in the form of the new Streamline. The company also displayed two versions of its Euro 6 emissions compliant range of engines in Australia at major truck shows, and is ready to deliver these ultra low emission vehicles to customer request.
It continued to roll out its Total Transport Solutions concept, with a view to maximising uptime, increasing asset and driver utilisation and efficiency, while also boosting road safety. There has also been an increase in resources to ensure as many customers as possible are able to benefit from the Master Driver Trainers’ expertise.
“As we look forward into 2014, Scania will continue to develop sustainable business, entrenching our products and services with existing and new customers,” said Roger McCarthy, Managing Director of Scania Australia. “We have taken a good look at our operations over the past three years and we have identified where we need to expand our service footprint to better support customers, both old and new.”
In 2013, Scania achieved the milestone of accumulating its 1000th vehicle under its Maintenance and Repair Programmes, which offer a single monthly fee to cover all operating expenditure outside of fuel, and insurance. Scania Truck Rental continued to grow in 2013 with more than 100 vehicles now on the fleet from across the Scania range.
Scania also continued to make advances in the mining and resources sector, with mine-specific, site-ready vehicles, from Heavy Haul prime movers to HIAB-equipped flattops, Scania-Higer A30 crew buses and even a 4×4 light-duty utility truck, employed in mining applications across the country. The Scania Used Truck retail division also saw 35 per cent growth in sales over the course of the year.
“With the growth of vehicle sales, and the Truck Rental business, we have more operators to keep on the road, all of whom demand maximum uptime, efficient servicing and the lowest possible running costs,” said McCarthy. “Scania Australia has taken a focused approach to growing the business, making sure that we can provide suitable back-up for the new vehicles or engines we are selling into the market. We recognise that customers are focused on the whole of life experience, not just an attractive price up front.
“We have delivered significant numbers of vehicles to several national logistic fleets as well as gained access to some fleets that have traditionally been aligned to American products. In the mining sector in particular we have been successful in attracting the leaders of the industry with our Total Transport Solution concept. In 2014 you will see Scania opening a bespoke service facility in NSW that is designed to maintain one mining operator’s new fleet of 28 Scania heavy haul prime movers.”