UD Trucks MEENA has doubled its sales since 2020 in the region as it begins to roll out Euro 5-specced trucks in Saudi Arabia, Mourad Hedna, Managing Director of UD Trucks MEENA has revealed.
Speaking during an event held at Zahid Tractor’s vast and modern complex in Jeddah, Hedna told the media that the Japanese truck-maker continues to post impressive numbers in the region and nab market share from its competitors.
UD Trucks retail performance has increased by 35% vs 2022 in 2023 with its order book full going into the Q3 of 2024.
UD Trucks was voted the Outstanding Manufacturer of the Year at the recent Truck and Fleet Awards, and according to Hedna, it is now competing in all the major segments required in the region.
“UD Trucks is present in all heavy duty and medium duty segments,” said Hedna. “Six years ago we were known as a medium duty Japanese Truck duty maker, now we are challenging everywhere.”
Looking at the global and regional picture he said truck demand globally is decreasing and normalising following the Covid bounce, “but improved emissions law acceleration is helping to boost GCC market. Although a shortage in foreign exchange is holding back imports in Africa.”
Concentrating on Prime movers and heavy construction at the launch of UD Trucks’ Euro 5 Series in KSA, Wahaj Malik, Sales Director – GCC said that all Euro 5 kits have been delivered to its assembly partners.
“UAE had a record year, with a 230% increase in sales, including a record 300 waste management trucks,” he revealed, adding that 2024 is an important year in Africa.
“UD has relaunched in Kenya and has formally launched in Egypt for the first time,” he confirmed.
Uptime and Service Sales Director Kris Meuleman, who leads the aftersales operation for UD Trucks in the region, revealed that the bounce in truck sales has been mirrored by year-on-year increases in parts sales in the region. The company is also growing its service agreement performance, he added: “One in Two trucks has one in place,” he said.
With 60% of trucks where telematics is available are also being secured, he repeated UD Trucks’ mantra: “Building a good customer experience doesn’t happen by accident, but by design”
Guest speaking at the event, the inspirational Toby Gregory, founder of the Arabian Ocean Rowing Team, talked about rowing with his two crewmates across the Atlantic Ocean, including surviving a six day storm, more people have gone into space than have rowed across the ocean. Talking during the UD Trucks’ annual media gathering, he said that UD Trucks participation in the Plastic Pledge has helped educate thousands of students on the dangers of plastics in our oceans.
