Volvo Trucks is extremely glad to celebrate our 50th anniversary in Malaysia this year.
50 Years of Volvo Trucks in Malaysia
Volvo Trucks is commemorating its 50th anniversary of achievements and milestones in Malaysia this year.
The company started in Malaysia in 1969 under Federal Auto Industrial Sdn Bhd and a year later, the Swedish Motor Assemblies plant began operations. The first product brought here that year was the complete built-up N Series truck, a tipper and heavy haulage transporter that featured the three-point safety belt created by Volvo. It was one of the first trucks to sport this important safety feature.
Over the next five decades, Volvo Trucks expanded its footprint through launching new truck models, opening dealerships across Malaysia, gaining new customers and introducing many key aftermarket services and activities.
“Volvo Trucks is extremely glad to celebrate our 50th anniversary in Malaysia this year. This is one of our momentous milestones and we are very satisfied with everything that we have accomplished over the past five decades. We also feel truly honoured to have the continuous support of the industry and our customers as they made it possible for us to grow our business,” said Mitch Peden, Managing Director, Volvo Malaysia.
Highlights of Volvo Trucks Heritage in Malaysia
The year 1969 marked the setting-up of Volvo Trucks’ operations in Malaysia and the introduction of the complete built-up N Series tipper and heavy haulage truck.
The 70s saw the complete knocked-down assembly of the N Series truck being initiated and the 3-point safety belt equipped in all the units, making Volvo the first truck brand to highly emphasise safety. Breakthroughs made included introducing the turbo engine used in the F Series truck. It also delivered the Volvo F88 truck to the Malaysian Army.
In the 80s, Volvo Trucks introduced new innovative technologies and features focused on improved efficiency, performance and safety. It launched the Euro 1 engine in the FL10 model and became the first truck brand to introduce the airbag as well as the 6×2 tag axle. This decade also saw the arrival of new models to service the booming transport and logistics sector – F7, F10, F12, FL10, N10, N12 and NL12. Additionally, it delivered the N10 trucks to the local Fire Department and the first batch of N12 logging trucks to East Malaysia.
The 90s saw the arrival of the Euro 2 engine and latest FL10, FL12 and FH12 models, and the introduction of its Blue and Gold Service Agreements to serve customers’ demand for cost-effective preventive maintenance and repairs. In addition, Volvo Trucks introduced its first Breakdown Service Team to ensure that aftermarket support reached customers wherever they were.
Making impact beyond 2000s
Increasing demand for reliable heavy-duty trucks saw the Volvo FM9 and FM12 models being brought here in 2002, followed by the launch of the Customer Care Centre to provide 24/7 breakdown service support.
The Volvo Driver Training programme and annual Fuelwatch Challenge to promote safety and fuel-efficient driving behaviour among truck drivers were also launched.
The Volvo I-Shift transmission that uses road grade, speed, weight and engine load to gauge optimum time for switching gears to increase fuel efficiency was introduced as one of its latest advancement in trucking solutions.
As business expanded, Volvo Trucks appointed Dai Lieng Machinery Sdn Bhd as its first private dealer for Volvo in East Malaysia in 2008.
Subsequent investments involved the RM75 million for its 3-year network enhancement strategy across Peninsular and East Malaysia that included establishing the Port Klang dealership as its flagship outlet to serve some 3,000 Volvo trucks.
In 2014, two new models – facelifted and improved Volvo FM and FMX – were introduced to meet different industry applications. The following year, Volvo upped the ante by introducing Volvo Dynafleet – its telematics system for customers to better manage their fleet and keep track of trucks and drivers’ performance in real-time.
Its most significant product milestone was achieved when the premium flagship Volvo FH Series, comprising two variants FH13 and FH16, made its ‘epic entry’ in 2017. With breakthrough innovations such as the ultra-low crawler gears and Volvo Dynamic Steering (VDS), the FH series offers superior handling, performance, safety, fuel efficiency and ergonomics and could withstand extreme heavy loads.
In 2018, Volvo Trucks carried out its biggest local corporate social responsibility project in Bario, Sarawak. It funded an estimated RM500,000 to build a fire-fighting system for the Bario Asal Lembaa longhouse settlement and five eco-shelters along the 25km Bario ancestral jungle trail to improve the lives of the Kelabit community.
Over the last two years, it also launched additional aftermarket services such as the Volvo Service Planning, 24-month Fitted Parts Warranty and Port Klang Extended Workshop Hours programmes.
“Strongly guided by our three core values in safety, quality and environmental care, Volvo Trucks successfully achieved 50 years in Malaysia by continuously expanding our resources, products and service offerings and giving back to communities,” said Peden. “Although today we are well positioned as the market leader in the heavy-duty European brand segment in Malaysia, there’s still a lot to achieve. The next 50 years would pose new challenges and we are ready to embrace it as we remain focused on driving efficiency, innovation and excellence for all our stakeholders.”
富豪卡车欢庆在大马扎根50周年纪念
富豪卡车（Volvo Trucks）今年将迎来在马来西亚立足50周年纪念，同时欢庆这些年来实现的发展成就。
1969年，Federal Auto Industrial私人有限公司设立马来西亚富豪卡车；一年后，瑞典Swedish Motor Assemblies汽车装配公司的厂房也在马来西亚投入运作。富豪卡车当年引进马来西亚的首个车款，便是整装进口（CBU）的N系列翻斗和重型运输卡车。这款卡车装有富豪发明的三点式安全带，也是率先装置有关安全配备的卡车之一。
富豪卡车进军马来西亚后，便在接下来的50年陆续推出新款卡车，同时在全国设立代理商店来招揽客户、推出重要售后服务以及举办活动，在满足客户需求之余，也努力扩大富豪卡车在马来西亚的业务版图。
马来西亚富豪卡车董事经理佩登（Mitch Peden）说：“我们对于欢庆富豪在马来西亚扎根50周年纪念感到非常骄傲。这是本公司重要的里程碑之一，我们对于这半个世纪以来所取得的成绩感到非常满意。我们也很荣幸能得到业界及客户的长期支持，才能让我们有机会在这个市场里茁壮成长。”
马来西亚富豪卡车重点回顾
富豪卡车在1969年登陆马来西亚，并推出整装进口（CBU）N系列翻斗和重型运输卡车。
1970年代，N系列卡车开始以全散装件（CKD）形式进口，卡车内也安装了三点式安全带，使富豪成为第一个高度重视安全的卡车品牌。富豪卡车取得了几项突破，包括推出了搭载涡轮引擎的F 系列卡车。马来西亚武装部队也选用富豪 F88卡车，进一步巩固富豪在马来西亚的地位。
1980年代，富豪卡车凭藉各种创新科技及着重提高效率、功能和安全的功能而名声大振。富豪推出Euro 1 引擎和FL10 卡车，并成为第一个在6×2牵引车安装安全气囊的卡车品牌。富豪卡车接着迎来了F7、F10、F12、FL10、N10、N12 和NL12卡车。马来西亚消防和拯救局开始引用N10卡车，富豪也首次向东马的客户介绍N12伐木卡车。
1990年代，富豪卡车迎来Euro 2 引擎以及最新的FL10、FL12 和 FH12 卡车，并推出蓝牌和金牌服务协议，以满足客户寻找符合成本效益的预防保养及维修卡车需求。此外， 富豪卡车也成立第一支卡车故障救援小组，确保售后市场服务能随时随地支援客户。
2000年后继续发挥影响力
鉴于马来西亚市场对安全可靠的重型卡车需求与日俱增，富豪卡车于是在2002年把FM9和FM12卡车引进马来西亚，其后更设立客服中心，推出全天候卡车故障救援服务。
为了进一步提高生产力和道路安全意识，富豪推出富豪司机培训计划，同时举行Fuelwatch Challenge省油挑战赛，向富豪卡车司机推广安全和节能的驾驶方式。
富豪卡车的I-Shift变速箱是最新的科研成果之一，它能根据路面坡度、车速、载重和引擎载荷来判断最佳的换档时间，大大提高燃油效能。
为了配合业务拓展，富豪卡车于2008年委任大连机械有限公司（Dai Lieng Machinery）为富豪在东马的首个私人代理商。
接下来包括投资7，500万令吉来改善东西马的经营网络。经过3年规划，富豪卡车在被马来西亚半岛和东马提升其网络，在巴生港口成立旗舰店，为该区约3，000辆富豪卡车服务。
2014年，富豪卡车推出润饰版和改良版的FM及FMX卡车来满足不同领域的运输需求。次年，富豪加大投资，向市场推出富豪Dynafleet车队管理系统，让客户通过其远程信息处理有效地管理车队，包括即时追踪卡车所在地和司机的开车表现。
其最大的成就，要数2017年隆重推出FH高档旗舰系列旗下的FH13和FH16卡车。FH系列卡车融入创新突破，包括超低履带齿轮和富豪动力方向盘（VDS），除了具有良好的驾驭功能、行驶表现、安全性能、节能功效和工学设计，还能承受极重的负荷。
2018年，富豪卡车在砂拉越峇里奥（Bario）落实规模最大的企业社会责任计划，并拨出约50万令吉为峇里奥Asal Lembaa长屋居民建设救火设备，同时在当地长达25公里的祖传森林地带兴建5个生态歇脚站，协助改善加拉毕（Kelabit）族裔的生活。
过去两年，富豪卡车持续增加售后服务如富豪卡车保修计划、24个月零部件保用期和巴生港口修车厂延时运营。
佩登说：“我们在安全、品质和环保3个核心价值的引导下不断注入资源、增加产品、增设服务和回馈社会，最终成功在马来西亚走过50年。虽然我们现在引领马来西亚的欧洲重型卡车市场，但富豪还要实现很多目标。未来的50年将出现新挑战，我们深感兴奋，也做好准备乘风破浪，为了大家的利益，继续提升卡车效率、科技创新和卓越表现。”
