Lower volumes in Europe and North America for the third quarter – when compared to the very high levels of last year – have caused a notable drop in overall net sales for Volvo CE. However, it has maintained overall good margins despite this slower demand and has overseen a growth in the China market. This quarter has also seen the company support customers by balancing today’s challenges with its accelerated focus on transformation.
In Q3 2024, net sales decreased by 23% to SEK 18.809bn (€1.647bn), compared to the high earnings of SEK 24.296bn (€2.127bn) for the same quarter last year. When adjusted for currency movements, net sales decreased by 20%, of which net sales of machines fell by 24%. Service sales increased by 2%, reflecting the market’s growing interest in digital solutions.
However, net order intake has risen slightly, largely caused by a 59% increase in South America and a 44% increase in Europe, strengthened by a more modest rise in all other regions except North America. Global deliveries were down from last year due to the continued lower market demand and reduced inventories at the dealerships in Europe and North America, partly offset by increased deliveries for the SDLG brand in China.
Melker Jernberg, Head of Volvo CE, said: “We are living in turbulent times and, like other companies, are feeling the effects of a market slowdown. But we are maintaining our leading position with a strong portfolio, the continued roll-out of new products and services and our steadfast commitment to the industry transformation.
“The ambitions we have set out towards building the world we want to live in remain unchanged and we take pride in working together to balance the priorities of today with our confident vision for tomorrow.”
Volvo CE continued the market launch of new and upgraded models of its most important products and services in key markets in Asia and North America. This included an updated range of the new generation excavator portfolio, as well as the highly anticipated L120 Electric wheel loader.
The quarter also saw the inauguration of a new wheel loader facility in Arvika, Sweden, designed to support the production of electric wheel loaders at the plant. This is one of a number of global investments made to drive industry transformation across production facilities and markets worldwide.
Compared to 2023, the total machine market contracted in Q3, largely due to a slowdown in Europe – a 25% drop from the historically high levels of last year, driven by a combination of low business confidence and a saturated end market. As a consequence of normalising replenishment of dealer fleets and somewhat lower-end customer demand, North America also came down 9% from very high levels in 2023.
Meanwhile Asia excluding China was slightly down overall by just 2%, despite market growth in India, Indonesia and the Middle East, while markets such as Turkey experienced declines partly driven by revised government infrastructure investments.
In contrast, the Chinese market grew 5% on the back of governmental policies to stimulate the real estate market, while good demand in Brazil, Peru and Chile saw a similar 5% increase in market development for South America.
