Improvements in the key European and North American markets, coupled with a strong focus on its service business, volume flexibility in the industrial system and tight cost control helped Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) deliver a good all around performance in its second quarter 2019 results.

Net sales in the second quarter increased by 10 percent. Operating income also continued its upwards trajectory.

The second quarter 2019 saw order intake increase by 6 percent, with SDLG branded products increasing by 28 percent. Order intake was particularly strong in China, rising 21 percent, driven by strong demand for SDLG branded excavators and wheel loaders. Deliveries were up 12 percent in the period, again driven by growth in China and stable demand in Europe and North America.

Market Development

The second quarter of 2019 saw growth in Europe and North America, with a small decline in Asia (excluding China). In the period up to May, demand for construction equipment in Europe was up 5 percent compared to the same period the year before, while demand for large excavators, road equipment and articulated haulers pushed the North American market up 7 percent. South America saw demand rise 6 percent while Asia (excluding China) was down 11 percent compared to the previous year. The Chinese market saw demand rise by 8 percent, due to growth in the compact excavator segment.

"Volvo CE continued on the path of increased sales and improved profitability in the second quarter," said Melker Jernberg, president of Volvo CE. "Volume flexibility in the industrial system and tight cost control will continue to be in focus in the second half of the year."

Volvo Construction Equipment net sales by market area, in millions of Swedish Krona.

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