VOLVO Trucks has launched brand new trucks targeting leading customers across the region.

The three new FH, FM and FMX models offer the highest standards of reliability, handling, time-saving features, fuel-efficiency, safety and driver comfort, said the company.

The trucks were launched at a Middle East event held in Abu Dhabi, recently (January). With this range, the Swedish truck manufacturer is pushing the envelope for what a premium truck manufacturer can offer.

Speaking at the launch, Lars-Erik Forsbergh, president of Volvo Trucks for the Middle East, said: “The Middle East is an extremely important market for Volvo Trucks – indeed, the FMX has been extensively tested in Oman and Saudi Arabia to ensure that it can tackle some of the roughest, most demanding, off-road conditions in the world.

“So we are confident that the new Volvo Trucks range will provide an unbeatable transport solution for customers right across this region, whatever their specific needs.”

The new range of Volvo trucks is highly advanced, introducing a whole raft of innovative features to the market. These include the ground-breaking Volvo dynamic steering, which delivers exceptional handling similar to that of a car – in all operating conditions, as well as intelligent I-Shift gearbox technology.

At the same time, the new range features a totally redesigned cab, both inside and out, with improved seating position, increased usable window area and an innovative rear-view mirror design, as well as a world-first in the truck world – a steering wheel with a neck tilt function.

The Volvo FH has been Volvo Trucks’ flagship model for almost 20 years, accounting for more than 60 per cent of total sales. Volvo has sold 700,000 FH trucks since its launch in 1993.

The new model is already creating waves worldwide, having been named International Truck of the Year 2014, according to a company spokesman.

The latest generation of Volvo trucks gives a new dimension to transportation.

The new Volvo trucks can handle harsh off-road conditions.

The new Volvo FM, a real all-rounder, is claimed to be the best truck in its class on the market. Taking reliability and productivity to new heights, it is designed to provide the perfect platform for bodybuilders to customise it for any job.

Rounding off the trio of newcomers, the even more robust Volvo FMX construction truck is loaded with new features, such as an advanced rear air suspension, which benefit haulers as well as drivers. At the launch, it was announced that Middle East customers would be offered a training package specially designed for construction drivers.

Volvo FMX has been receiving strong customer response since its launch in 2010. “Sales have exceeded our forecast by several hundred percentage points, and now the new FMX truck is even better,” said Forsbergh.

“Our new trucks are the result of huge investments in research and development, new technologies, and aerodynamic designs. These innovative solutions have a clear purpose: to help improve truck productivity and durability, and consequently customer profitability, while making life safer and more enjoyable for the driver,” he added.

Speaking to Gulf Construction, Forsbergh said: “The Middle East is a very important market to be in. It currently accounts for five per cent of Volvo Trucks’ business. This figure is expected to rise as the market picks up.”

“We are expecting a 25 per cent growth in business this year and hope to sell around 5,000 units. For next year, we are targeting 6,000. This is a significant increase from 2,000 units we were doing three to four years ago.”

The Middle East office in Dubai, is responsible for 14 markets in the region.

“Our top three markets in the region are Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the UAE. Egypt is also picking up. As the top market, Saudi Arabia has been witnessing remarkable growth prompting us to set up a new factory in the King Abdullah Economic City. It will have a capacity of up to 7,000 trucks per year and will cater mainly to the local market,” said Forsbergh.

“Another interesting growth market is Iraq. We believe that now is the time to build foundations and once the country starts re-building it is important to be present there,” he added.

The company is also optimistic about the UAE market that started to pick up in 2013.

“A good thing about the truck business is it is closely linked to the economic development and with the Expo 2020 (to be hosted by Dubai) we are very optimistic,” Forsbergh said. “We are also seeing growth in Egypt and Qatar. Oman has been a very stable market for us.”

“To be successful, one needs good partners. We have good representation in the region. For 2014, we will continue to develop the dealership and service network. We are also looking at developing our sales network and taking care of servicing, financing and add more customer value like training,” he concluded.