First Saudi-built Renault trucks roll off assembly line

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Arab News  /  June 23, 2016

Renault Trucks had entered a new era in Saudi Arabia with the assembly of its first C & K range Renault truck models from KD (knocked down) kits at its newly built assembly facility, Arabian Vehicles and Trucks Industry Co. Ltd. (AVI), in the King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC).

A milestone for Arabian Vehicles & Trucks Industry and for the French truck manufacturer, the first Saudi-built Renault trucks have been assembled through the collaboration of a number of Renault-trained technicians, engineers, quality and logistics personnel from Bourg-en-bresse, and a highly trained local AVI team .

Lars-Erik Forsbergh, Renault Trucks Middle East president, said: “Our facility in KAEC further cements our commitment of providing unrivalled transport solutions throughout the Middle East. Through the support of our local importer Zahid Tractor and AVI we hope to continue to service the demanding construction, infrastructure and transport sectors in the region and set new standards in the region’s trucking industry.”

Forsbergh said: “We are delighted to see the first of many Saudi-built Renault trucks roll off our assembly line. Although the facility layout derives from our group’s lean manufacturing production system, this milestone could not have been achieved without the efforts of our highly-trained Saudi workforce.”

Arabian Vehicles & Trucks Industry Ltd. (AVI), is a joint venture between Zahid Tractor & Heavy Machinery Co. Ltd. and Volvo Trucks Corporation, which owns Renault Trucks.

AVI’s new air conditioned assembly facility was designed by a project team from the Volvo Group Truck Operations (GTO), comprised of engineers and process owners from brands under the group’s umbrella.

Implementing a new concept for an efficient and cost-effective truck assembly, the AVI facility is one of the first in the world to produce both Volvo and Renault trucks on the same assembly line. Up to 4,000 units can be built annually.

Primarily serving the growing demands of the Saudi market, the facility will be producing Renault Trucks’ C Range for construction and long haul, and the robust K Range for heavy construction.

The 168 million sq m KAEC is the perfect location to connect the East and the West.

From its state-of-the-art deep-water port on the Red Sea shore, KAEC can handle the world’s largest ships. In addition, with new road and rail networks, KAEC is just an hour from Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah.
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