Cabs outside co-op deal
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• The recently agreed cooperative deal between Renault and Volvo is unlikely to include either cabs or big engines.
Confirming this at the Motor Show, Shemaya Levy, director of commercial and international affairs for Renault Vehicules Industriels, added that RVI was pressing ahead in its attempt to take full control of troubled US truck maker Mack.
With preliminary meetings between RVI and Volvo now taking place, Levy stated that it was unlikely that the level of co-operation would extend to "highly visible" products like cabs or engines, both of which, said Levy, were vital to the identity of heavy trucks, As the deal is primarily intended to help the two manufacturers benefit from economies in development and purchasing, Levy added that it would be counter-productive if the use of common major components dulled the distinction between the two line-ups. Levy explained that RVI's current 45% share of Mack did not permit it to exercise the degree of control it wanted: total ownership would.
RVI is currently waiting for its V.54m bid to be approved legally.
With the B series vans and chassis cabs going on sale in the UK early next year (see Motor Show report), Levy also confirmed that there would be no overlap between these and the joint van venture between Renault and Leyland Daf.