Trucks
This is according to Waldemar Christensen, Managing Director of Volvo Trucks South Africa, who recently addressed customers at an event in Paarl, Western Cape.
“As we look ahead, the world’s transport demands are not only growing but also evolving. Meeting this changing demand whilst reducing emissions requires a focus on offering enhanced productivity and efficiency,” said Christensen. “By driving innovation and progress across the industry, we’re not just shaping a safer and more sustainable transport sector, we believe we are empowering our customers to lead, compete and thrive in a rapidly changing world.”
With customer uptime as a top priority, Volvo Trucks is continuously investing in modernising its workshops to deliver faster, smarter, and more efficient service.
By integrating specialised tools and advanced diagnostics, Volvo Trucks is reducing downtime and enhancing operational continuity for its customers. This transformation is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the company’s service network across South Africa and to deliver quality service throughout. Uptime Monitoring Services, a key component of this strategy, enables predictive maintenance through connected service capabilities, allowing for remote monitoring and optimised repair schedules.
“This process improves communication and ensure that every touchpoint supports customer success, from workshop to road. Ultimately, we believe that this will lead to reduced downtime, lower repair costs and increased fuel efficiency, saving fleet operators time and money,” explained Christensen.
In addition to its service contract solutions, Volvo Trucks’ service network comprising of 19 service points strategically located across South Africa, ensures that support is always within reach. This proximity allows the company to respond swiftly to customer needs, reinforcing uptime and operational efficiency. By staying close to its customers, Volvo Trucks continues to deliver on its promise of reliability and performance.
“Our industry is in a period of transformation. Amid change, productivity and partnership are among the highest of our concerns. We will be there to provide the right solutions for our customers, no matter what,” stated Christensen.
Products that lead the way
Quality, safety, and environmental care are key considerations for Volvo Trucks when introducing new products to the market.
“All Volvo trucks are optimised for efficiency and productivity, no matter what drivelines our customers choose. And with every new solution introduced, we increase efficiency and productivity even more,” commented Christensen. “Our most powerful engines combine real power with real purpose. Geared towards increased fuel efficiency, our internal combustion engines are designed to save fuel and improve fleet emissions and bottom lines.”
In April this year, Volvo Trucks South Africa announced the introduction of Euro 6 technology on its original long-haul icon, the Volvo FH. This innovative technology offers fleet operators the combined effect of sustainability, efficiency and performance that underscore Volvo Trucks' commitment towards offering more sustainable transport solutions.
“While we continue to offer Euro 3 and 5 engines here, we actively explore and introduce new technologies that have been thoroughly tested for local South African operating conditions to ensure our customers have access to the latest global innovations,” explained Christensen.
In Europe, Volvo Trucks last week announced the introduction of its new long-distance electric truck that has a range of up to 600 kilometres and batteries that can be charged in 40 minutes. They will formally launch and start taking orders for its new electric truck for long distances, the Volvo FH Aero Electric with e-axle, in the second quarter of 2026.
“Even though this new addition to our electric fleet is very much designed for the European market, it would be possible for local customers to request it for specific applications,” said Christensen. “From a South African perspective, we see it as an indicator of how Volvo Trucks technology is advancing and what is possible in the future, also here locally.”
Advancing People and Partnerships
With major technological paradigm shifts ahead that will completely change the way we live, Volvo Trucks emphasises that people, not just trucks, are at the heart of their business.
“Our goal is for every customer to see us as their best business partner, consistently delivering quality, functionality, and innovations beyond their expectations,” stated Christensen.
As part of an effort to enhance its service commitment, the company recently welcomed Jarryd Language to its fold in the role of Director Retail Operations South. With a career spanning more than 13 years in both the OEM and retail sides of the transport business, Language understands the business from both perspectives.
He qualified as a diesel technician with Volvo Trucks more than a decade ago and transitioned into leadership roles where he found his passion working with people.
“Even though we have some of the most advanced products and technologies at our disposal, we believe in the human connection and building relationships with our customers,” said Language. “It is about understanding our customers’ business, building that partnership and solving problems together.”
As products and services evolve, Volvo Trucks continues to invest in employee training and development, ensuring they can support customers' needs and adapt to changing conditions.
This year, Volvo Trucks is celebrating 98 years of global innovation and transformation in the transport industry. This legacy of engineering excellence and customer success forms the bedrock of Volvo Trucks South Africa, which proudly celebrates 25 years of delivering transport solutions to local fleet operators.
“We look forward to continue driving progress for our South African customers over the next 25 years and beyond, as we are here to stay,” concluded Christensen.
The company has an assembly plant in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, and currently employs around 750 staff at various sites across the country.
Belinda Butler
Brand, Marketing & Communication, Volvo Trucks
Tel: +27 11 842 5000
Email: press.za@volvo.com
Volvo Trucks supplies complete transport solutions for discerning professional customers with its full range of medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Customer support is provided via a global network of dealers with 2,300 service points in about 130 countries. Volvo trucks are assembled in 12 countries across the globe. In 2022 approximately 145,000 Volvo trucks were delivered worldwide. Volvo Trucks is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. The group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. Volvo Trucks’ work is based on the core values of quality, safety, and environmental care.