Volvo Car Malaysia continues sales growth, also appoints new MD

By ahmadzulizwan, 05 February 2019
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Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) saw a 35 per cent increase of cars delivered in 2018 with a total of 1,384 units (1,021 units in 2017). The key factor in growth momentum started from 2015 after the launch of the XC90 T8 Twin Engine SUV and introduction of the VRE (Volvo Retail Experience) to give customers an improved experience in the showroom.

Also a contribution factor is the initiation of VSA (Volvo Service Agreement), where it gives Volvo owners a comprehensive service package that covers replacement of most wear-and-tear parts as well as the option to choose either a 3-year or 5-year service plan. The result of all this is the doubling of Volvo’s Customer Experience Management (CEM) scores from 2017.

In 2018, customers saw the start of Volvo Car Leasing as well as the official return of the brand to Kuching, Sarawak after a near decade-long absence. Additionally, Volvo Car Malaysia aims to open more dealerships within the year, particularly in locations currently not represented by the brand. Currently, there are 11 Volvo dealerships nationwide.

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The next step for VCM is to introduce a new service concept called Volvo Personalised Service or VPS in 2019. A new management system to ensure optimum availability of parts called Volvo Managed Inventory (VMI) will also be introduced sometime this year.

VCM aims to achieve a double-digit growth in 2019 based on the positive response for the Volvo XC40 and the added market presence provided by more retail locations.

On the export front, a total of 1,889 units of V40, XC40, S60, V60, XC60, and XC90 have been sent to countries that include Thailand, Taiwan, Philippines, and Vietnam from the assembly plant in Shah Alam.

Volvo Car Malaysia has also announced the departure of Lennart Stegland as managing director of the company, replaced by Nalin Jain. Lennart retires from Volvo Car Corporation after 40 years in the company. Nalin Jain’s previous posting was with Volvo Auto India and has been in the automotive industry for close to 12 years.