GOTEBORG, Sweden, Feb. 19, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Deliveries from Volvo's truck operations, which includes Volvo Trucks, Mack Trucks, Inc. and Renault Trucks, increased by 12% for the month of January, compared with the same month last year. In Europe, deliveries increased by 9%, while North America posted a 23% increase compared with 2002.
"Deliveries in Europe remained on a high level. The deliveries in North America showed a significant increase over the exceptionally low January 2002," says Volvo's CEO Leif Johansson. On a 12-month rolling basis, total order bookings for the truck brands was 3% higher than last year, with Europe down 1% and North America up 9%.
Deliveries by market area:
Delivered Units Year-to-Date Change
Volvo Group 2003 2002
Europe 7,233 6,658 9%
Western Europe 6,703 6,296 6%
Eastern Europe 530 362 46%
North America 2,076 1,693 23%
South America 373 227 64%
Asia 832 572 45%
Other markets 520 664 -22%
Total Volvo Group 11,034 9,814 12%
Mack Trucks, Inc.
Deliveries by market area:
Delivered Units Year-to-Date Change
Mack Trucks, Inc. 2003 2002
North America 1,253 796 57%
South America 69 54 28%
Asia 1 n.a.
Other markets 45 60 -25%
Total Mack Trucks, 1,367 911 50%
Inc.
Mack production at New River Valley continued to ramp-up as scheduled in January. Delivery figures for January last year reflect two "down" weeks at Macungie and three "down" weeks at Winnsboro.
Renault Trucks
Deliveries by market area:
Delivered Units Year-to-Date Change
Renault Trucks 2003 2002
Europe 4,513 4,151 9%
Western Europe 4,197 3,980 5%
Eastern Europe 316 171 85%
South America 17 n.a.
Asia 88 14 529%
Other markets 214 346 -38%
Total Renault 4,832 4,511 7%
Trucks
The increase of deliveries compared to the same month last year was mainly due to better deliveries of the light commercial ranges Renault Master and Renault Mascott. In the heavy duty segment, Renault Premium deliveries also increased compared to last year.
Volvo Trucks
Deliveries by market area:
Delivered Units Year-to-Date Change
Volvo Trucks 2003 2002
Europe 2,720 2,507 8%
Western Europe 2,506 2,316 8%
Eastern Europe 214 191 12%
North America 823 897 -8%
South America 287 173 66%
Asia 744 557 34%
Other markets 261 258 1%
Total Volvo Trucks 4,835 4,392 10%
Deliveries increased in all regions except North America, where the Volvo VN is being ramped up. Demand for heavy trucks continues to develop positively in Asia - particularly in China and South Korea.
February 19, 2003
For further information, please contact:
Bernard Lancelot, Renault Trucks, +33 4 72 96 27 59
Bob Martin, Mack Trucks, Inc. +1 (610) 709-2670
Claes Claeson, Volvo Truck Corporation, +46 31 66 39 08, +46 708-36 39 08
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