RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's booming economy and ongoing construction projects have kept DAF trucks on the move despite the adverse impact of the 2009 recession.
Peter Beaument, managing director of ATEC (Arabian Truck and Construction Equipments Company), the Saudi distributor of DAF trucks in the Kingdom, said this while interacting with Arab News.
He said DAF Trucks had posted the highest sales in Europe at least in 2010, paving the way for the opening of its sales office in Riyadh.
The event was attended by the Netherlands Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ron Strikker, besides Saudi businessmen and media men.
DAF, which is based in the Netherlands, concluded an agreement recently with the Arabian Truck and Construction Company (ATEC) as the new representative for all DAF marketing, sales and service activities in Saudi Arabia.
Referring to his company's operations in the Kingdom, Beaument said: "Saudi Arabia has a stable economy. This has triggered the demand for the world-class heavy duty trucks."
He said ATEC would also represent PACCAR parts to guarantee a first class parts supply service for DAF trucks throughout the country.
DAF Trucks NV is a subsidiary of the American company PACCAR Inc., one of the world's largest producers of heavy-duty trucks.
It is also a leading manufacturer of light, medium and heavy duty trucks and had a 15 percent market share in Europe in the over 15-ton category in 2009.
In his presentation, Michiel Kuijs, managing director for sales operation at DAF Truck NV, said in 2010 DAF further strengthened its position on the European truck market. In the heavy class (above 15 tons), a 15.2 percent market share was achieved in the European Union. In terms of volume DAF now takes a solid third place among the European truck manufacturers and is well on its way to its medium term goal of 20 percent market share.
© Arab News 2011
