Aside from the launch of a new regional training centre, Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) also announced how it fared in 2019 and revealed a few exciting plans in 2020.
The new training centre located in Symphony Square, Seksyen 13 Petaling Jaya will be used to train Volvo staff and dealers from across the Asia Pacific region on technical and non-technical areas.
“This training center and other shared services such as Finance Cluster, Technical Hub, and Procurement which operate here are expected to generate export service revenue of over RM100 million in the next 5-7 years,” said Volvo Car Malaysia, Managing Director, Mr. Nalin Jain.
Also announced at the launch was Volvo’s sales performance both globally and domestically. Last year, Volvo saw an unprecedented sales performance of 705,452 units sold globally, a first for the Swedish car company.
By comparison, Mercedes-Benz sold over 2.3 million vehicles while BMW shifted 2.1 million units of ultimate driving machines. Locally, Volvo Car Malaysia had personal highs to celebrate with 1,883 units sold – the highest sales figure to date.
Production in the Shah Alam assembly plant also increased to around 5,000 units so interestingly, VCM actually exports more cars outside of Malaysia – to countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam and Philippines – than it sells locally.
“Even as the Malaysian premium segment is in decline, VCM chalked up the highest ever year-on-year growth in retail delivery at 36.1% in 2019 compared to the previous year,” said Nalin.
“We are definitely on the right trajectory and we are excited to show our customers what’s in store for the Volvo brand in 2020,” he added.
Cause there’ll be plenty, even on the home front. Following up with launches and warm reception of the XC40 T5, the S60 T8 and the XC90 facelift last year, VCM will continue its assault on the premium segment by introducing the S60 T8 CKD and the S90 facelift this year. The S60 T8 CKD will be priced similarly as the CBU model and will feature similar specifications.
A new dealership will also be opened in Kota Kinabalu this year for better accessibility of all things Volvo. In 2019, VCM launched a total of five new dealerships to include one in Johor, another in Ipoh and one each in Ara Damansara, Mutiara Damansara and Setia Alam.
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