Petaling Jaya, 13th August 2022: - PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) and Volvo Trucks Malaysia (Volvo) are collaborating in driving safety and co-creating sustainable solutions for the heavy vehicles industry in Malaysia. The Managing Directors of both PLUS and Volvo Trucks Malaysia formalized the alliance through a signing ceremony at Persada PLUS recently.
This unique and inaugural collaboration includes exchanging industry-leading expertise and technology insights as well as resources towards achieving a safer system for heavy vehicle users.
The collaboration will also set a path for PLUS to plan and facilitate the future development of electric vehicle charging stations for commercial vehicles on PLUS managed highways. According to PLUS Managing Director, Datuk Azman Ismail, “PLUS is currently facilitating the development of charging infrastructures needed to support passenger electric vehicles on our highways. This will also enable us to include our preparation for electric trucks and commercial vehicles in the future.”
Volvo Trucks Malaysia will soon be introducing their first Electromobility range in Malaysia in line with their global effort in supporting the lower emissions agenda.
PLUS is committed to continue to champion safety along the highway through the 3E approach that includes aspects of Engineering, Enforcement, and Education to further improve the level of safety on our highways. PLUS and Volvo will also work together in developing a heavy vehicle safety programme, with the aim of equipping drivers with better safety knowledge and handling of heavy vehicles. This safety programme will be extended to PLUSTrack members to further enhance their safety on PLUS highways.
“PLUSTrack is a programme developed by PLUS for commercial and heavy vehicle customers on our highways. The programme aims to help uplift the experience of our commercial vehicle customers whilst adding value via loyalty rewards, privileges and educational sharing by our partners,” added Datuk Azman.
According to Volvo Trucks Malaysia Managing Director Anthony O’ Connell, “The transport industry is evolving at unprecedented pace. Technological innovations have moved us towards greater efficiency and higher safety standards and Volvo Trucks stands at the forefront of driving these possibilities. The potential offered by automation, electromobility and connectivity, through the digitization of the transport system, is immense.”
“Simply by being the leader that has access to data to fleets in real world scenarios and deployments, we will emerge as the foremost leader to drive adoption and scaled benefits of both fleet and business impact as a whole,” he added.
“Sustainability has become a hugely powerful force that is a constant debate in the mobility space. We have made our position clear to all, that Volvo Trucks is determined to drive our industry towards a sustainable future,” he said.
“We continue to be a leading global transport solution provider, and we will work together with PLUS as the biggest highway operator in Malaysia to drive the change. The heights of where both leaders can scale as the core of the ecosystem for the future of mobility for Malaysia are significant and we are excited of what we will drive towards tomorrow,” Anthony O’ Connell further explained.
With the first milestone of introducing the Iron Women Programme, a Volvo Group Global Initiative, this strategic partnership will enable Volvo to uplift the socio-economic status of professional truck drivers in Malaysia and push for gender inclusivity, ultimately addressing the shortage of skilled and certified drivers in the industry. PLUS will also share the programme
with its PLUSTrack members as part of Volvo’s outreach to heavy vehicle customers.
“It is always exciting to be at the forefront of change. We truly hope that this partnership with VOLVO Trucks Malaysia will be a positive move forward towards improving the safety of highway customers and to spur the drive of electromobility in the commercial vehicle industry,” Datuk Azman concluded.
