SSK aims to deliver 200 Iveco trucks this year
Iveco is hoping to sell 200 trucks in Thailand this year through its newly appointed distributor, SSK Group Sales and Service.
The Italian truck manufacturer recently introduced four models in Thailand with 290hp, 360hp, 380hp and 420hp engines, and 100 orders have already been placed, according to SSK Group Sales and Services managing director Suksomkiat Suaklinsak.
Suksomkiat said that next year the sales target would rise to 800 vehicles since NGV models would also be offered. These models will make up half of total sales, he revealed.
“We will compete against other European truck brands such as Volvo and Scania, while our pricing will be comparable to Japanese brands, which is about Bt3 million per truck,” he said. “However, we will offer an unlimited mileage two-year warranty, while the retail pricing will be maintained for three years to put as many Iveco trucks on the road as possible.”
Suksomkiat said that since Iveco is a new brand in the kingdom, Thai truck drivers are not familiar with its technology, transmission and control systems. “That is why we are offering technical training to all drivers,” he said, adding that Iveco trucks offer fuel savings of 3.8km/litre despite carrying 505-tonne loads. “This is a significant cost saving for our customers.”
The company plans to invest Bt300 million to build a showroom, service centre, spare parts centre, conference room and test course, the latter to train drivers. It will be located on a 25-rai plot of land in Wangnoi, Ayutthaya, and will be operational in mid-2015. Suksomkiat also said that Iveco will have 10 dealers located in major cities by that time.
SSK Group has, meanwhile, been appointed the distributor for Pirelli truck tyres, with customers being Iveco users as well as general truck users.
Apart from truck heads, Iveco also offers various specialised vehicles such as fire-trucks, multi-purpose trucks and buses, which can be supplied through SSK Group.
Iveco trucks will be exhibited at an Italian fair at Siam Paragon in late October, as well as at the Bus & Truck ’14 event at Bitec in November.
“In addition, we will be present at the general meeting of the Northeastern Transport Entrepreneurs Association in November, as well as the Thailand Land Transport Association general meeting in December, which will help us expand our market presence,” Suksomkiat said.
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