Volvo Trucks makes Asia premier for FL medium duty lineups in Seoul

Volvo Trucks Korea holds a launch event for its new FL series of medium-sized trucks in central Seoul, Tuesday. / Yonhap

By Park Jin-hai

Volvo Trucks Korea launched the Swedish firm’s Volvo FL series in Seoul, Tuesday.

With the new FL lineup, the truck maker aims to expand its business to medium-duty trucks, below 4.5 and 5 tons, to become the top player in the industry.

“Korea is one of the representative countries leading our growth in the Asia-Pacific,” said Christophe Martin, president of Volvo Group Trucks Asia Oceania Sales, at the media launch.

“Volvo Group has decided to introduce our Volvo FL series into Korea for the first time in the Asian region, followed by the Asian premiere of the new model range from 2014.”

The company said the Korean mid-size commercial truck market has grown to annual sales of 10,000, similar to that of heavy duty trucks.

Martin said the company was aiming for annual sales of 4,000 vehicles by 2020 across the medium and heavy-duty truck market in Korea.

”We will firmly hold on to our prominent position,” he said.

Trucks in the new FL series have the Euro 6 standard engine that can deliver a maximum of 280 horsepower. They are equipped with I-Sync, an automatic transmission that combines the benefits of a manual gearbox with the convenience of automatic transmission.

This improves fuel efficiency by 10 percent compared with standard models, reducing fuel costs by more than 10 million won when driven over three years, according to a company official.

The fleet also comes with an electronic stability program, a first in models of this range. The system prevents rollovers and jack-knifing by automatically reducing engine power and regulating braking pressure.

Volvo truck sales have grown substantially over the years. Its accumulated truck sales are expected to hit 15,000 by the end of the year and 32,000 in 2020, from 60 in 1997. Last year, it sold a record 1,600 commercial trucks, up 14 percent from the previous year. Volvo trucks are No. 1 in sales among imported truck makers, with more than 40 percent of the market.