UD Trucks Achieves Record-Breaking Success In MENA Region
In a significant stride towards sustainable transportation, UD Trucks, a prominent Japanese commercial vehicle solutions provider, has achieved record-breaking sales in the Middle East, East, and North Africa (MENA) region in 2023. This milestone accompanies the launch of the brand's Euro 5 range model in Saudi Arabia, underscoring its commitment to the country's rapid development and environmental goals as outlined in Saudi Arabia Vision 2030.
UD Trucks boasts robust performance across all segments within the region, participating in prestigious projects such as those at Neom and the Red Sea. In particular, the brand has witnessed a substantial increase in retail sales in Saudi Arabia, outpacing its 2022 performance. The introduction of the Euro 5 range, including the Quester and Croner models, marks a pivotal move towards environmentally-friendly fleets. These models, assembled at the Arabian Vehicles & Trucks Industry (AVI) facility in the King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), offer notable environmental improvements, a 43 percent reduction in NOx emissions compared to Euro 4 models, enhanced efficiency, uptime, and profitability.

In the UAE, 2023 was a landmark year with a remarkable increase in truck sales, especially to the waste management sector, reflecting the brand's commitment to supporting the country's urbanisation and population growth. Notably, UD Trucks delivered 300 waste management units to Abu Dhabi and facilitated the distribution of 100 trucks each to government and construction entities in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
The brand's expansion continued in Qatar with the launch of the Euro 5 range, leading to improved market share, while retaining leadership in Bahrain and strong positions in Kuwait and Oman. Despite challenges in East Africa, UD Trucks advanced its presence, securing the second spot in market share in Uganda and announcing plans for a local assembly unit in Kenya. In Egypt, a new partnership was initiated, with an official announcement expected by the end of the second quarter.
UD Trucks has also surpassed its aftersales performance from the previous years, introducing new initiatives like UD Connected Services and My UD Fleet for optimal fleet management. Workshop refurbishments in Dubai and the impending relaunch in Kenya aim to enhance service capabilities. Moreover, the brand has emphasized competence development through comprehensive training programmes and the Driver Guard initiative, focusing on driver health and safety.
Mourad Hedna, President of UD Trucks (MENA), highlighted the continuous growth and success of UD Trucks in the region in 2023, reflecting the company's dedication to excellence and sustainability. "The launch of our Euro 5 range in Saudi Arabia marks a significant milestone in our journey towards a more environmentally-friendly future, aligning with Saudi Arabia Vision 2030's sustainability goals. We are proud to support local businesses in their transition to greener transportation solutions, reaffirming our 'Better Life' commitment to fostering a sustainable environment for future generations," he stated.
This year's achievements not only demonstrate UD Trucks' unwavering commitment to sustainability but also reconfirm its leadership in the industry, setting new standards for excellence and fostering a sustainable environment for future generations.