Volvo Group Southern Africa has announced the appointment of a new MD for Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks Southern Africa.

Christian Coolsaet, a Belgian national, will take up his new position with immediate effect, looking after the Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks brands in the region.

Prior to his appointment, Coolsaet was Volvo Group’s director of commercial trucks in Central Europe.

also had a stint as area director for the Volvo Bus Corporation in South Africa, a position in which he played a pivotal role in the supply of buses to Metrobus Johannesburg in 1999.

“We are very confident in Mr Coolsaet’s abilities and experience, and believe he will be a valuable asset to the local business,” says Volvo Group Southern Africa president Torbjörn Christensson. “With his extensive experience within the group, in addition to his local South African knowledge, I believe our customers will greatly benefit from his appointment.”

“I am very excited to once again return to South Africa and to serve the staff and customers of the region to the best of my ability,” says Coolsaet.

“The country and the region are rich with potential and quality people and resources, and the market certainly has a wonderful future ahead of it.”

Volvo Trucks launched four new truck ranges onto the local market in 2013, including its flagship FH16 model. Renault Trucks will launch two new product ranges in October, with the aim of transforming the brand in the country.

Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks Southern Africa form part of the global Volvo Group, which makes trucks, buses and construction equip-ment, as well as marine and industrial engines.

The group also provides finance and service solutions, and sells its products in more than 190 markets around the world.

It has an assembly plant in Durban and plans to establish a new regional integrated 11 500 m² parts facility for all its brands in Johannesburg.