Volvo Group Southern Africa has announced the appointment of a new managing director 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. He was previously the Volvo Group’s director of Commercial Trucks in Central Europe.

No stranger to Africa, he was previously the area director for the Volvo Bus Corporation locally, and played a pivotal role in the supply of buses for a significant tender to Metrobus Johannesburg in 1999.

Torbjörn Christensson, president of the Volvo Group SA, says, “We are very confident in Mr. Coolsaet’s abilities and experience, and believe he will be a valuable asset to the local business. 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.”

Coolsaet said he always tries to remember his motto that ‘customers never disturb your job, they are the reason you have one.’

Adding, “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 abilities. 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. I am truly looking forward to be part of the dynamic team in South Africa.”