UD Trucks announced record-breaking sales of its products and service in the MEENA region in 2023, as the brand also launched its Euro 5 range in Saudi Arabia. The introduction of these new models comes as the brand continues supporting the country’s fast-paced development, with sustainability being a key pillar of Saudi Arabia Vision 2030, said Mourad Hedna, President of UD Trucks Middle East, East and North Africa, during a press meet.  

He explained in a presentation about how UD Trucks has demonstrated strong performance across all segments in the region, “reinforcing its position as one of the industry leaders.” Engaged in prestigious projects, including those at Neom and the Red Sea, UD Trucks continues to set new standards for excellence, he noted. 

In Saudi Arabia, UD Trucks saw a double-digit increase in retail sales compared to 2022. In line with the Kingdom’s efforts to switch to more environmentally-friendly fleets, UD Trucks has now launched its Euro 5 range, offering significant environmental advancements. The new range will be assembled in Arabian Vehicles & Trucks Industry (AVI) facility in the King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), a joint venture between Zahid Tractor & Heavy Machinery Co. Ltd and Volvo Truck Corporation. 

The Euro 5 Quester and Croner models feature upgrades to minimise their environmental impact, improve efficiency, uptime and profitability, all while reducing NOx emissions by 43 percent compared to their Euro 4 predecessors. With increased service intervals meaning less time spent in the workshop, these models prioritise environmental stewardship, efficiency and total cost of ownership.

According to the UD Trucks’ statement, “In the United Arab Emirates, 2023 was a record-breaking year for truck sales, with a triple-digit increase in retail sales, in particular helped by sales to the waste management sector.” The brand is committed to supporting society in the UAE, which is experiencing continued rapid growth in urbanisation and population, it said. As an example, UD Trucks delivered 300 waste management units to Abu Dhabi, with 100 trucks each dispatched to government and construction entities in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. 

UD Trucks also improved its market share in Qatar following the brand launching its Euro 5 range in 2023, and further solidifying the brand’s leadership in the heavy-duty segment. UD Trucks continues to retain market leadership in Bahrain and strong positions in Kuwait and Oman. 

In East Africa, and despite economic and political challenges, UD Trucks expanded its presence in the region, securing second place in market share in Uganda, while the brand has plans to set up local assembly in Kenya in 2024. Furthermore, in Egypt, UD Trucks appointed a new partner, with plans for an official announcement and launch by the end of the second quarter.

In terms of aftersales performance, UD Trucks surpassed both 2021 and 2022 results, delivering an outstanding double-digit increase in retail sales and wholesale. New initiatives including UD Connected Services and My UD Fleet were introduced, providing data-driven insights for optimal fleet management. Workshop refurbishments in Dubai further enhanced aftersales capabilities, and the relaunch in Kenya will see dedicated workshops established in Nairobi and Mombasa, providing superior service and support to customers. The brand also provides long-duration service agreements along with tailored service agreements – currently one in every two trucks is covered by a service agreement, which helps reduce total cost of ownership and increase the resale value.

Comprehensive training programmes totaling 4,500 hours underscored UD Trucks' dedication to competence development, covering technical, soft skills and driver training. The Driver Guard initiative, initially held in Abu Dhbai and Kuwait in 2023, will be launched across all pf the brand’s regional markets in 2024. The initiative prioritises driver health and safety, aligning with UD Trucks' commitment to fostering a supportive and secure environment for drivers, essential for safe and efficient transportation.

Hedna said: "We have witnessed the continued growth and success of UD Trucks in the MEENA region during 2023, reconfirming our unwavering commitment to excellence and sustainability. The success of this approach was highlighted as UD Trucks earned various awards both internally and externally.

“The launch of our Euro 5 range in Saudi Arabia marks a significant milestone in our journey towards a more environmentally-friendly future, aligning with Saudi Arabia Vision 2030's sustainability goals. We are proud to support local businesses in their transition to greener transportation solutions, reaffirming our 'Better Life' commitment to fostering a sustainable environment for future generations," Hedna added.

UD Trucks implemented several impactful initiatives throughout the year, including the Plastic Pledge initiative aimed at reducing single-use plastics, in collaboration with the Arabian Ocean Rowing Team. The company organised a Customer Experience Day in partnership with Allison Transmission, showcasing the Croner Series' performance in various segments. Moreover, the Bodybuilder’s Summit held in KSA gathered bodybuilders from across the country, providing on-the-job training.

Additionally, UD Trucks hosted the Virtual Uptime Conference, dedicated to the company's strategy of Better Life, sharing information on aftersales performance, quality, and competence development. These initiatives underscore UD Trucks' dedication to improving overall support to the industry, as it continues to lead with innovation and excellence.

Furthermore, this year's Global Partner’s Conference held in Japan, which saw Zahid Tractor named “Best Sales Team” across the brand’s global markets.  set the stage for strategic discussions and insights into the future vision of UD Trucks, along with updates on upcoming plans.

In an interview with Waste & Recycling, Mourad Hedna, President of UD Trucks Middle East, East and North Africa, spoke about the developments in its waste management transport solutions. 

Excerpts: 

What are some of the new developments in the waste trucks front? 

UD Trucks remains at the forefront of waste management transport solutions, continually innovating to meet the evolving demands of the industry. With increased global and local pressure to prioritise sustainability and productivity, we remain committed to delivering flexible and reliable, transport solutions for waste management assignments.

Our Quester and Croner models, equipped with factory-fitted Allison automatic transmission, offer ultimate dependability and efficiency. The Quester, renowned for its endurance and versatility, provides cost-efficient payback in the long term, while the Croner, with its flexibility and efficiency, is ideally suited to waste management assignments. Both models are designed for easy superstructure installation, allowing for seamless adaptation to various applications such as compactors, vacuum tankers, bin washers, and more.

Our commitment to maximising uptime and availability is evident in our longer service intervals and comprehensive support offerings, including driver and technician trainings, service contracts, and strong support from local partners.

How are the waste management demands changing in the MEENA region and how is UD Trucks meeting them? 

The nature of waste management is constantly evolving, driven by increased global and local demand for support services focused on sustainability and productivity. UD Trucks recognises the importance of providing flexible, reliable, and affordable transport solutions to meet these changing demands, as highlighted by the introduction of the Euro 5 range, and customers are responding positively to this. As an example, UD Trucks recently delivered 300 waste management units to Abu Dhabi, with 100 trucks each dispatched to government and construction entities in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.

With the ability to operate 24/7 in demanding environments, our trucks offer maximum uptime and availability, essential for meeting tight budgets and renewing contracts for larger areas. UD Trucks excel in delivering essential features tailored to our customers' needs, without compromising on quality or performance.

 Tell us about your new collaborations in the industry

UD Trucks is dedicated to fostering strategic collaborations within the waste management industry to drive innovation and address the evolving needs of our customers. Our partnerships with leading technology providers and waste management companies enable us to deliver cutting-edge solutions that enhance the performance and sustainability of our vehicles.

An example of a unique collaboration is ours with the Arabian Ocean Rowing Team for the "Truck of the Future for Waste Management" design competition.

This competition, born out of a shared commitment to sustainability and innovation, aims to inspire and challenge young students across Abu Dhabi and Dubai to think creatively about the future of waste management. The Arabian Ocean Rowing Team's recent historic transatlantic voyage underscores their dedication to tackling global challenges and promoting sustainability, making them an inspiring partner for this initiative. Through collaborations like this competition, we aim to harness the power of innovation to address these challenges and create a more sustainable future for the industry.

By leveraging the latest advancements in technology and industry best practices, we ensure that our Quester and Croner models remain at the forefront of waste management transport solutions. These collaborations enable us to offer flexible, reliable, and efficient transport solutions tailored to the specific requirements of our customers. Additionally, initiatives such as our Plastic Pledge highlight our commitment to the "Better Life" principle, further demonstrating our dedication to environmental stewardship and sustainability. 

It was mentioned that sustainability commitment is one of the key drivers of innovation in the recent years. Tell us about how UD trucks is adapting new technologies to serve this purpose. What’s the goal?

Sustainability is a driving force behind UD Trucks' commitment to innovation, influencing every aspect of our product development process. Our Quester and Croner models are designed to address the increasing demand for sustainable waste management solutions in the MENA region.

Equipped with advanced features such as factory-fitted Allison automatic transmission, these trucks offer enhanced operational efficiency and reduced environmental impact. By prioritising durability, reliability, and fuel efficiency, UD Trucks ensures that our customers can meet their waste management needs while minimising costs and maximising uptime. Our goal is to continue adapting new technologies and collaborating with industry partners to deliver innovative solutions that support a more sustainable future for waste management in the MENA region and beyond.