Volvo Trucks South Africa yesterday opened a new dedicated service and parts dealership in Alrode, Gauteng. This now brings the company’s number of dealers to twenty in South Africa, strengthening Volvo Trucks’ footprint in the country and bringing support closer to their fleet owner’s businesses.

The new facility, was officially opened by Heléne Mellquist, senior vice president of Volvo Trucks International and Torbjörn Christensson, president of Volvo Group Southern Africa.

Volvo Trucks’ expanded footprint means that their customers are closer to accredited dealers, and have easier access to manufacturer-trained technicians and genuine parts.

According to Mellquist, Southern Africa remains a key market for Volvo Trucks, and the company will continue to invest in the region to ensure the future success of the brand and its customers.

“We are committed to expand and strengthen our reach locally, and we believe that the quality of our dealerships and the level of sustainable support they provide along the major trade corridors in southern Africa, add greats value to our customers’ operations,” explained Mellquist.

Christensson said that with the Volvo Trucks vehicle parc continuing to increase locally, and being more customer focussed than ever before, the company is placing a lot of emphasis on continuous improvements and growth. “We are widening our network systematically and with a focussed strategy of bringing valuable support right to our customers’ doorsteps,” commented Christensson.

Volvo Trucks Alrode is strategically located in an industrial area, with easy access to numerous major roads, including the N3, N12 and the R59. Several of Volvo Trucks’ major fleet customers also have their depots and headquarters in the area.

The new dealership currently boasts ten well-trained staff members, 18 service bays and a stocked parts facility. Construction is currently underway to expand the facility with 12 additional service bays, which will be completed at the end of the first quarter in 2017.

“The dealer staff at Volvo Trucks Alrode are ready to assist customers with all their aftermarket requirements,” said Christensson. “We believe our dealers’ world-class quality, expertise and technological prowess, give our customers the edge in a highly competitive market.”

Apart from providing support at physical locations Volvo Trucks has also always been on the cutting edge of innovation in the commercial vehicle industry, and are leading the way in supporting fleet owners in a modern and very practical way. These innovations include telematics gateways, interactive driver mobile applications and advanced fleet management systems.

“Our quality product range, backed by an engaged and competent team, will ensure that we offer our customers quality uptime,” explained Christensson. “As transport operators expand their operations throughout the region, Volvo Trucks will be there to support customers every step of the way.”