Mike Corcoran, commercial director at Volvo Trucks, is delighted with Volvo's strong performance in 2015.
According to figures from the SMMT, Volvo registered 5,538 trucks in 2015. This compares to 4,074 in 2014 ' an increase of 1,464 and a rise of 35.94%.
Volvo's overall market share above 6 tonnes increased by 0.82%, from 11.75% to 12.57%. The overall market in that weight range was 44,063 in 2015 against 34,672 for 2014, an increase of 27%. Volvo significantly outperformed the market, growing by 36%.
Volvo's performance in the two axle rigid market above 6t saw an increase of 18.5% on the previous year.
A renewed focus, together with strong dealer marketing activity of the FL and FE product from the second quarter, coupled to a move down the weight range to 10 tonnes GVW and improvements to the 'soft' offerings, helped generate the pleasing improvement in market performance for Volvo's premium two-axle rigids.
The new FM and FMX series continued to make an impact and combined registrations of three and four-axle rigids rose to 1,367 in 2015. This was an increase of 21%. Volvo four axle rigids in particular increased their market penetration, with registrations up from 758 to 925.
However, it was tractor unit registrations that saw the biggest increase with 3,684 registered in 2015 compared to 2,532 the previous year. This is a rise of 45.5% and Mike Corcoran believes it reflects a continued increase in popularity of the FH in particular.
He says there is growing recognition among operators that Volvo's adherence to its core values of quality, safety and care for the environment adds measurable value to the company's products. This is particularly visible in terms of operational whole-life cost benefits, such as fuel, maintenance, product quality, durability and residual values.
'In terms of the overall outlook for the truck market in 2016, there are some economic and political risk factors which could play a part this year. For example the EU in-out referendum and the slowdown in some markets that may impact on the UK economy.
'However, our view is that the overall market will probably end the year in a similar place to 2015.'
