Volvo plans Saraburi branch

B70m truck facility offers services, sales

* Published: 3/09/2010 at 12:00 AM
* Bangkok Post

Volvo Truck & Bus (Thailand) Co is investing about 70 million baht to build a new branch in Saraburi to keep pace with growing customer demand in the central and northeastern areas, said Kamlarp Sirikittiwat, general manager for sales and marketing.

The new branch, opposite the ageing workshop, is under construction on seven rai of land on Mittraparb Road outbound to Nakhon Ratchasima.

The layout was designed with Swedish inspiration for the best customer experience with comfortable lounges, reception area and meeting room.

The Saraburi branch will offer both sales and service, doubling the company's maintenance capacity.

The workshop will have 12 working bays for repair and maintenance service that can hold up to 16 trucks per day.

Construction should be complete by the end of this year so that operations can begin in January.

Other branches are located in Bang Na, Rayong, Tak, Nakhon Sawan and Hat Yai.

The company plans to open a new branch at Phutthamonthon in Nakhon Pathom soon so that trucks arriving from the South do not have to drive to Bang Na.

There are about 3,000 Volvo trucks and coaches on the roads in Thailand.

Mr Kamlarp said the company sold about 300 trucks in the first seven months this year, mostly prime movers with the rest 10-wheel trucks and special purpose vehicles such as disaster rescue trucks.

Between 120 and 150 Volvo coaches would be sold this year, he added.

Volvo trucks do not compete directly with Japanese brands because Volvo trucks focus mainly on hazardous material transport, he said.

Mr Kamlarp said the company expected to introduce NGV-powered trucks by the middle of next year if tests run on dual-fuel units prove successful.

Volvo Truck and Bus Thailand is 100% owned by AB Volvo, a leading global commercial transport vehicle maker.