[gallery td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="32936,32937,32938"] Volvo Trucks Middle East has announced an increase in vehicles sold in 2015 compared to 2014. Despite challenging economic conditions in the second part of 2015, the Swedish brand saw its sales rise across most of Middle East markets. The announcement comes at the end of a year that saw significant activity and investment by the company in the region, most notably the opening of a brand new state-of-the-art AVI production facility in King Abdullah Economic City in Saudi Arabia in co-operation with Zahid Tractor. Full year sales were up in most of Volvo Trucks' Middle East markets. The company enjoyed a particularly successful year in Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon and Qatar, more than doubling sales in all four markets and a double digit growth in Oman, which is Volvo Trucks third largest market in the Middle East. Sales in Jordan were up by 50 percent, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were once again Volvo Trucks' two biggest markets in the Middle East, and sales in both countries remained stable in 2015 compared to the previous year, as they did in Egypt also. This continued growth in the region builds on the major steps the brand has taken since it launched its completely new range of trucks – the FH, FM and FMX – in early 2014with new enhanced features such as Volvo Trucks ground breaking 12 speed I-Shift gearbox which is a fully automated gearbox designed to provide high comfort levels for drivers and maximum fuel efficiency. The engineering of the I-Shift technology provides optimum performance conditions for Volvo Trucks in every application and driving conditions. The I-Shift's intelligent electronics constantly monitor factors like road grade, speed, weight, and engine load to help keep the truck in the most fuel-efficient gear possible. This technology allows drivers the safest, most efficient, informed and comfortable driving experience possible. Volvo Trucks I-shift technology have been very well accepted by the Middle East customers, in UAE and Qatar for example 100% of Volvo Trucks sold in those markets are equipped with I-shift followed by KSA and Oman where 75% and 50% of trucks sold are respectively equipped with the I-shift gearbox. Volvo Trucks has focused on providing customers with the best after sales support in the market, such as the comprehensive Driver Development Programme and strengthening the sales financing schemes that was introduced in conjunction with the launch of the new range. "The Volvo sales financing have become very popular among our Middle East customers over the past two years," said Henrik Larsson, Sales Finance Advisor Volvo Trucks Middle East adding that "This system allows us to bring our customer service to a new level and assist them in choosing products depending on their specific needs and financial capabilities. Our role is as an advisor to help them make the best possible choice." Lars-Erik Forsbergh, President of Volvo Trucks for the Middle East, said: "2015 has been a significant year for Volvo Trucks in the Middle East. The close cooperation that we have with our importers, combined with the excellent range of products with a strong focus on safety and the fully comprehensive services we offer have ensured that we have stayed a step ahead of our competition and continue to set new standards in the trucking industry." The opening of the new production facility in Saudi Arabia demonstrated our on-going commitment to the region. We will continue to build on this in 2016, by developing our network, by ensuring we offer customers premium products tailor-made to suit their needs, premium services and financing, and to add value to our customers' businesses." Volvo Trucks continues to highlight this commitment to it's customers in the region at the beginning of 2016, with the official opening of a Volvo Truck CKD assembly line in Babel, Iraq, in cooperation with Volvo Trucks and investors ZamZam Spring Group Volvo Trucks' official distributor in Iraq. The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Industry and Minerals for Iraq, Mohammed Sahib Al-Daraji and other governement officials.
