With the arrival of the 8×4 version of the UD Quon there is now a UD model to fit in most segments of the heavy duty truck sector with the choice of 11 and 8 litre engines as power plants. Meanwhile the Croner is able to handle several high volume sectors in the medium duty truck market.
“Not only did UD Trucks have its best year ever in 2020, we also had some great wins,” says Lauren Downs, Vice President Sales UD Trucks Australia, who moved across from the bus side of the VGA business in May 2020. “The UD brand is on an upward trajectory. If we look at the heavy duty segment, last year, UD was one of only two brands to increase sales volumes by three per cent.”
UD Trucks is now transitioning across out of the Volvo Group globally passing into ownership by Isuzu. The ramifications of these changes is not quite clear at the moment, but we can be sure that UD will continue to sold in Australia by the Volvo Group.
“This agreement is not just a clearcut sale, it has been signed for the next 20 years,” says Lauren. “The way the agreement works will be different in different markets. Japan will see the first development of joint technology. In other markets UD will be the importers of Volvo product.
“Here in Australia the changes will be limited, because both brands are strong in their own right. VGA will be the sole importer and distributor of UD product in Australia. Our personnel will remain and there are currently no plans to change the UD product offered to the market. Isuzu will remain a direct competitor.”
Another factor is how the change in ownership of UD Trucks will play out in a fiercely competitive truck market in which all four Japanese truck makers stand toe-to-toe and match specifications precisely. Now there is a UD model to fit in most segments we may see UD stick to the heavier end of the truck market, while Isuzu concentrate to the medium and light duty.
