Volvo CE sales up by 15%
Continued momentum in most markets reinforced a self-assured quarter for Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE), one that saw the company post strong earnings and strengthen its position in the Chinese wheel loader and excavator market.

In the face of a reduction in the size of the total market for construction equipment, Volvo CE bucked the trend in the second quarter of 2012, posting a solid set of financial results that saw sales in the three months up 15 per cent, operating income up 35 per cent and an operating margin of 13.3 per cent. The period also saw the company strengthen its market position in wheel loader and excavator sales in China, taking a 14.7 per cent share of this all-important market.

Despite a downturn in the Chinese market, which declined by 38 per cent during the quarter, sales at Volvo CE were positively impacted by strong momentum in most other markets, particularly North America, and a favourable product and geographic mix.