UD to end U.S. truck imports
UD Trucks North America (UDNA) – formerly known as Nissan Diesel America and now a subsidiary of Sweden’s Volvo Group – said it plans to stop production of cabover medium-duty trucks in Japan aimed for the North American market by the end of 2012.
However, UDNA spokeswoman Annalee Addesso stressed to Fleet Owner that parts and warranty support will continue in North America for the company’s products. “We’ll also still be importing trucks through the end of this year,” she added.
Cessation of cabover production for North America also does not affect the global cabover sales of UDNA’s parent company, UD Trucks, which is being more strongly aligned with Volvo products in overseas markets – the most recent being South Africa.
UD’s move comes after just two years after its North American division celebrated its 25thanniversary serving the U.S. market and after several efforts to reinvigorate its product line.
In 2011, UDNA added a rear engine mounted power take off (PTO) as a dealer-installed option, while it completely redesigned the cab and interiors of its truck model line back in 2010, adding more legroom and other driver comfort upgrades, as well as the addition of transmission options, including the Allison 3000 Series automatic.