According to retail sales data compiled by WardsAuto Group, Volvo Trucks in 2011 recorded the North American heavy-duty truck industry’s largest market share gain of the year. Volvo also hit a company record market share of 12.1 percent of the combined U.S. and Canadian retail market, and reached record penetration levels for its proprietary engines and I-Shift automated manual transmission.
WardsAuto Group gathers industry data on retail sales to end-users. Volvo Trucks’ record year was fueled by a particularly strong performance in the United States, where the company’s retail market share jumped nearly three points and retails increased 109 percent over 2010. For the combined U.S. and Canadian market, the company hit a record 12.1 percent market share (vs. 9.6 percent), and boosted its total retail volume to 23,820 vehicles, vs. 12,100 in 2010.
“Coming after our two-point market share gain in 2010, this record 2011 performance demonstrates the market’s continued recognition of the excellent fuel efficiency and industry-leading driver comfort and safety features that Volvo Trucks is delivering today,” said Ron Huibers, president of North American truck sales and marketing. “The performance of our broad dealer network helped achieve an improved customer mix, and our fuel efficiency leadership means we’re well positioned as fleets intensify their focus on lowering fuel costs.”
Huibers credited the excellent performance of Volvo Trucks’ proprietary engines and the company’s innovative I-Shift automated manual transmission for driving sales. The percentage of Volvo trucks sold with the company’s proprietary engines hit a record of nearly 80 percent in 2011, and I-Shift penetration also hit a record level of more than 40 percent.
“Volvo’s integrated powertrain approach drives fuel efficiency leadership and facilitates innovations, like the XE13 fuel efficiency package, which cannot be replicated without the highest degree of coordination throughout every layer of the organization” Huibers added.
