Volvo Group Southern Africa has announced the appointment of a new managing director for Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks Southern Africa. Christian Coolsaet, a Belgian national, will take up his new position with immediate effect, looking after the Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks brands in the region. Coolsaet was previously the Volvo Group’s director of Commercial Trucks in Central Europe.
He is, however, no stranger to Africa as he was previously the area director for the Volvo Bus Corporation locally and played a pivotal role in the supply of buses for a significant tender to Metrobus Johannesburg in 1999.
“We are confident in Mr Coolsaet’s abilities and experience and believe he will be a valuable asset to the local business,” says Torbjörn Christensson, president of the Volvo Group SA. “With his extensive experience within the group, in addition to his local South African knowledge, I believe our customers will greatly benefit from his appointment.”
Coolsaet says he always tries to remember his motto that ‘customers never disturb your job, they are the reason you have one.’
“I’m very excited to once again return to South Africa and to serve the staff and customers of the region to the best of my abilities. The country and the region are rich with potential and quality people and resources and the market certainly has a wonderful future ahead of it,” says Coolsaet.
With the launch of four new truck ranges in 2013, including its flagship FH16 model, Volvo Trucks SA strengthened its position as one of the leading truck manufacturers in the country. Renault Trucks will be launching two new product ranges later this month which the company says are set to transform the brand in the country.
Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks SA forms part of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment as well as marine and industrial engines. The Group also provides finance and service solutions and sells its products in more than 190 markets around the world.
With an assembly plant in Durban and more than 500 employees across the region, Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks SA are able to support customers every step of the way. As part of its commitment to the region, the Volvo Group SA also recently announced plans to establish a new integrated 11 500m² parts facility for all its brands in Johannesburg. The company has 17 dealers across the region.
FleetWatch welcomes you back to South Africa Christian and we wish you all the best of luck and success on the road ahead.
