Volvo Receives Service Parts Distribution Excellence Awards

Volvo Cars of North America (VCNA) earlier received awards from Carlisle & Company for their excellence in the distribution of their service parts. VCNA was given the distinction as having the number one automotive parts distribution network in the United States by the private consulting firm.

Carlisle & Company polled 14,000 parts manager which represents nineteen auto manufacturers with operations in the U.S. to come up with a worthy winner. "Being selected as top performer has been one of our long term objectives, actually since 1992," said Robert Deutsch, the North American Parts Manager for VCNA. "We started with a rather good system and have systematically improved it over the years. Today our total service parts network is focused on delivering the right part, at the right time, every time... we strive for perfection."

The award given to the Swedish automaker is the Service Parts Supply Chain Fulfillment. The award recognizes Volvo’s dedication to supply their consumers’ superb satisfaction in every part of car ownership. The commendation meant the automaker is successful in providing spare parts like Volvo V40 parts and other tune up parts to their clientele. The Swedish automaker, also known for safety, achieved the level of quality by ensuring that their parts distribution network is reliable in its task.

"Today, the new car sales experience is just the first touch for customers visiting Volvo retailers. Ownership expectations, and of course meeting those demands, are key to having repeat new car sales," added Deutsch. "Our whole parts organization should take credit for this achievement. Without a collective effort and holding to our long standing objective of end service to the customer, this award would not have been possible."

Aside from the Service Parts Supply Chain Fulfillment award, the private consulting firm also acknowledged VCNA as one of the three Best Practice Leaders for Global Supply Chain Fulfillment. The three winners of the award came from the automotive, construction equipment and agriculture fields. "Volvo was the only automotive manufacturer to be recognized for superior complete Parts distribution processes," said enthused Deutsch. Carlisle & Company has benchmarked 29 companies and VCNA emerged as the cream-of-the-crop.

Deutsch continued, "Our global approach is based on Volvo Cars, Sweden's unique approach of handling functions that best done centrally and of allowing in-country markets to be a local extension of the complete logistics system. We have an extremely good supply structure that is both global and local at the same time.”

The awards were announced amid rumors surrounding the fate of Volvo Cars. After selling its Aston Martin luxury division, the Ford Motor Co. was reported to be contemplating about the potential sale of its Premiere Automotive Group (PAG) European brands that include Land Rover, Jaguar and Volvo.

Earlier, the automaker admitted that it is eyeing the sale of British brands - Land Rover and Jaguar. But it did not confirm whether the Swedish Volvo brand will be included in the anticipated sale. However, it is speculated that the Swedish automaker will be sold by the ailing Ford to cope with previous losses. It was also divulged that Ford intends to concentrate on American brands hence the sale of the entire PAG is essential.

Volvo is known for producing safe cars and this year has marked its 80th anniversary in the auto industry. At present, the Swedish automaker’s lineup includes the award-winning new S40 compact car and the V50, its wagon counterpart; the award-winning XC90 crossover; the S60 sedan; the performance wagon version V70 R; the flexible V70 wagon; the rugged XC70 (Cross Country); the new Volvo C70 convertible; and the all-new Volvo S80 sedan.