Investments return rich dividend as Volvo enjoys leading status in China, says president

As the company’s two brands of Volvo and SDLG extend their market leading position in the Chinese excavator and wheel loader segments, Volvo Construction Equipment president Pat Olney used his Bauma China 2012 press conference address to underline the continued focus on China, in terms of award winning products, state-of-the-art production, expanded distribution and Volvo’s social responsibility in China.

“Volvo has been an active partner in the Chinese marketplace for a decade – and is here to stay,” stated Mr Olney to an audience of leading journalists at the Shanghai New International Expo Center on November 27th. “Our successes over the last decade have surpassed even our most optimistic targets, but we remain just as ambitious today than ever before.

“We have two strong brands to meet customer needs,” continued Mr Olney. “Thanks to the complimentary products offered by Volvo and SDLG branded machines we have become a leading player in China. This has not happened by accident, but rather as a result of over a billion Swedish Krona invested in design and production facilities based in China. This has led to the introduction of products tailored to the needs of local users, such as the Volvo L105 wheel loader and EC80D excavator you see launched here at Bauma China.”

Mr Olney went on to describe how customer needs are changing in China, highlighting the increased preference for a wider range of solutions, such as customer support agreements, used equipment, remanufactured parts and Volvo Financial services. These services are being delivered to customers across China from an expanding network of clearly differentiated Volvo and SDLG sales and service branches.

Corporate social responsibility

“We also want to lead the field when it comes to our social responsibility,” continued Mr Olney. “Initiatives such as being the first company in the industry to sign up to the WWF Climate Savers program underline our commitment to environmental care. This commitment doesn’t stop when we deliver a machine – how it is used is equally important. Our hugely popular ‘Operator Idol’ competition championed the merits of fuel efficiency to 158,000 Chinese operators. We are also committed to promoting and developing local talent, and are working with government, academia and business to boost competence development in the industry.

“We are proud to be able to support the work of the Yao Foundation,” added Mr Olney, referring to the company’s RMB 3 million donation to the ‘2013 Hope Primary Basketball Season, which aims to help children in underprivileged areas. “This excellent scheme further demonstrates Volvo’s commitment to local communities and public welfare in China.” 

SDLG to be made in Brazil

Such has been the success of the SDLG brand in Brazil since its introduction in 2009 that Mr Olney ended his bauma China presentation by announcing that four models of SDLG excavator will be locally manufactured from 2013. Production will begin at a newly built SDLG facility in Pederneiras, São Paulo state, initially making four excavator models, the LG6150E, LG6210E, LG6225E and LG6250E.