MAN Truck & Bus, one of the world's leading manufacturers of transport vehicles, has announced the expansion of its Saudi operations with launch of a new unit in Riyadh.

The expansion is a response to increased market demand for trucks and buses from MAN, said the company in a statement.

The Riyadh unit was inaugurated in the presence of Dr Abdul Aziz AbdulRahman Al-Ohaly, Deputy Minister for Transportation, Dr Frank Hiller, CEO of MAN Truck and Bus Company, Ali Alireza, managing director of  Haji Husein Alireza & Company (HHA) and Dr Fahad Al Tuwaijri, deputy governor of the General Technical training Authority.

The Ambassador of Germany to Saudi Arabia Dieter Haller and Ambassador of Austria Dr Johannes Wimmer were also present. 

In another development, Sheikh Alireza signed a  Saudi manpower agreement with Dr Al Tuwaijri under which a group of TVTC graduates will receive technical and theoretical training on the maintenance of MAN trucks as well as preventive maintenance at the facility.

The training will also include detection of malfunctions and vehicle tracking systems.

Commenting on the expansion, Sheikh Ali Alireza said, 'Through this, we seek to meet the increasing demand for various models of MAN trucks by different sectors in the Kingdom which are currently experiencing a high rate of growth under the guidance and vision of the country’s wise leadership.'

'We are also committed to offering a high quality of sales and after sales service and are focused on continuously supporting the services we provide to our distributors and partners in various sectors,' he added.

Impressed with the rise in demand for MAN trucks in the Kingdom, the company first established the Saudi Vehicles Manufacturing Company in 2009.

The facility has produced approximately 3,000 units since its establishment, building on MAN’s reputation for high reliability, said Sheikh Ali Alireza .

The company assembles MAN trucks to meet local demand for their outstanding performance and fuel efficiency. In addition, the plant plays a leading role in transferring advanced German technology to the Kingdom and provides training on the latest technologies to Saudi talent.

In addition to the theoretical transfer of skills, the manufacturing facility also offers practical job opportunities to Saudi talent in the field.

Commenting on the expansion, Dr Frank Hiller said, 'This comes as a natural step following the growth of our business in Saudi and the rise in our sales, as a result of increasing demand for MAN trucks and buses in the Kingdom.'

'Undoubtedly MAN vehicles have proved their ability to operate in the demanding road and climactic conditions within the Kingdom,' he remarked.

'We have more than 250 years of industrial engineering expertise, covering every conceivable market segment and industry - from distribution vehicles, to tippers, concrete pumps, transit mixers and very specialist application units,' Dr Hiller said.

According to him, MAN currently has one of the widest distribution networks and service support footprints amongst all manufacturers of heavy-duty construction vehicles in the Middle East region.

'As per sales figures for the last five years, 23,000 MAN trucks are currently operating in the Middle East,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service