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Scania (M) Sdn Bhd is
confident of selling about 200 units of its
newly launched P-, G- and R-series trucks
developed by its Sweden-based parent company.
Managing director Peter Sjoblom said the company
usually sold about 150 trucks each year but
there was now increased interest for European
trucks in Malaysia.
Scania Malaysia commands a market share of up to
25% for 32-tonne and bigger trucks.
“We foresee these latest trucks will meet the
high demands and expectations of the local
market.
“Not only do the newly added features provide a
much safer and optimal driving environment for
the drivers, the overall design also assists
operators to lower the total cost of ownership
and get fuel economy besides increased
productivity,” he told StarBiz.
The prices of the new series range from
RM310,000 to RM380,000 on the road.
Scania Malaysia, which also provides
comprehensive after-sales service, recently
invested about RM700,000 in a new accident
repair workshop in Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam.
“We will launch it by next month,” he said.
He added that the company had invested RM1mil in
a Malaysia-based regional training centre for
aspiring mechanics and technicians late last
year.
On its expansion plans, Scania Malaysia expects
to add two to three branches to its eight fully
owned workshops by the end of 2009.
According to Sjoblom, its current production
facility in Port Klang will also be transformed
into a regional logistics hub by year-end.
“We will use Malaysia as a base for supplying of
components from our production plants in Latin
America or Europe to our assembly plants in
Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam,” he said.
Scania Malaysia also recently introduced its
B-Double trailer to the Government. The prime
mover unit is connected to two semi-trailers.
He said these trucks allowed higher payload per
trip, making it an efficient alternative.
“As a market leader in this industry, we want to
open up a debate or discussion on how the
Malaysian transport industry could be more
efficient.
“With these trucks, there would be fewer
vehicles on the road, resulting in reduced
amount of smoke emission,” he said.
On his outlook for the local transport industry,
Sjoblom expects total market for new truck
registrations to grow by 10% this year. |
