We hear a lot in the North American trucking industry about globalization, and the influx of European and Asian manufacturers into our marketplace. Since Navistar’s partnership with Volkswagen was announced last fall, every Class 8 truck maker in the United States now has a direct connection with a European manufacturer. Most component suppliers have the same.
We don’t hear it quite as much going the other direction—but that doesn’t mean it’s not happening.
Globalization doesn’t just go one way.
Yesterday Paccar Parts announced the winner of its 2016 Global TRP Store of the Year as Parts Center Privolzhe, a heavy-duty parts store in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.
Since its opening in 2015, Parts Center Privolzhe has grown rapidly, serving all-makes truck customers in the market surrounding the Nizhny Novgorod Oblast market in Central Russia. One of 87 stores in 27 nations worldwide (excluding North America) selling the TRP brand, Paccar says Parts Center Privolzhe earned the 2016 award as a result of exceptional sales growth and a commitment to exceeding TRP Store excellence standards for customer service.
“Parts Center Privolzhe has achieved outstanding results in a relatively short amount of time,” says Matt Treadwell, Paccar Parts general marketing manager. “They entered a very competitive market and are doing all the right things.”
And yesterday’s announcement isn’t a one-off thing. The North American trucking industry is expanding on the global scale just like its counterparts in Europe.
Kenworth tractors are hugely popular in Australia. Mack has a devoted following in South America. Freightliner’s dealer network includes four continents. North American truck brands are everywhere.
We’re going to continue seeing international influences in our industry. I’d bet someday soon we even see their truck brands. But as North America’s market evolves to feature global brands, it’s safe to say the rest of the world better get ready to see our brands, too.
If TRP in Russia is today, what nation is next tomorrow?
