Scania annual report 2004

Important events in
2004
At
the IAA commercial
vehicle exhibition, Scania’s
President and CEO Leif
Östling accepted the
”International Truck of
the Year 2005” trophy
from Jury Chairman
Andy Salter.
■ World premiere for the R-series
On 31 March, Scania held the world premiere
of its new R-series trucks, intended
for long-haulage. During the spring and
until mid-July, various launch activities
took place in Södertälje for over 10,000
specially invited customers and more than
200 journalists. At the same time, the
launch was something of a celebration for
all the Scania employees who had worked
to develop and design the new truck range,
as well as prepare its production and marketing.
At Scania’s European production
units, the transition from the 4-series to
the new truck range went so smoothly that
it will go down in history as Scania’s most
successful product changeover to date.
■ Truck of the Year 2005
The new R-series was well received by
customers and the transport industry. The
series was awarded the International Truck
of the Year 2005 trophy, a prestigious
distinction presented by a jury consisting
of 18 of Europe’s leading truck journalists.
The statement of the jury included the
following passage: “The R-series impressed
the jury with its particular attention
to driver comfort through a wholesale
revision of the cab interior. Improved ergonomics,
better cab comfort and a more
refined driving environment all combine to
give the R-series enhanced driver appeal.
In addition, Scania’s attention to the driveline,
new electronic architecture and cleaner
more efficient engines was worthy of
particular note.”
■ New products
At the IAA commercial vehicle exhibition
in Hanover, Germany, Scania showed the
new truck range in its full breadth to an
international audience for the first time.
It was also the premiere for a new tourist
coach with a more streamlined body, an
updated interior, better passenger comfort
and a new driver’s area.
■ Upswing in South America
The South American economies strengthened
during 2004, and so did Scania’s
sales in the region. Utilisation of production
capacity improved by means of increased
exports to other continents. This
had a sizeable positive effect on Scania’s
operations and earnings. Scania’s strong
position in the region was also manifested
in other ways. In Brazil, Scania regained
its role as market leader. The strength of
the brand was confirmed when Scania
was named the most admired commercial
vehicle company in a survey conducted by
the renowned business periodical Carta
Capital. In Argentina, Scania was named as
having the strongest quality image of any
brand in the country in a survey carried
out by the business magazine Mercado.
■ Scania the first to meet new
emission standards
In September, Scania became the first
manufacturer to begin deliveries of trucks
equipped with an engine that meets Euro
4 emission standards, which become
compulsory from October 2006. The new
12-litre engine is delivered mainly to
customers that drive on German motorways,
which in January 2005 introduced
user tolls that vary depending on a vehicle’s
environmental impact.
IMPORTANT EVENTS • SCANIA ANNUAL REPORT 2004 6