Gothenberg, Sweden: Volvo reinforced the gloom in the truck industry reporting orders down a quarter year-on-year and warning that US and European markets will stagnate next year.
Volvo Trucks’ global deliveries in September 2012 decreased by 19% to 8,646 vehicles compared to the same period last year. In September, deliveries in Europe totalled 3,716 trucks, down 9% compared with the same month in 2011.
September deliveries in Western Europe were down by 16%, mainly because many customers are hesitating to make purchasing decisions in the present macroeconomic environment, the truck maker says.
However, in Eastern Europe truck deliveries increased by 7% to 1,365 trucks in September 2012. Volvo Trucks’ strong position, especially on the Russian market, contributed to this upswing.
September deliveries in Latin America decreased by 13% to 1,746 vehicles, by comparison with September 2011. The reduction is mainly explained by very high deliveries in 2011 before the new Euro-5 emission standards were implemented in 2012.
In North America truck deliveries decreased by 32% to 1,844 vehicles by comparison with September last year. The lower delivery pace is mainly related to lower demand in the market. In Asia truck deliveries totalled 847 trucks, 44% less than in September 2011. A market slowdown in parts of the region as well as declining construction activity in China contributed to the decrease.
