Finnish Defence Buys All-Wheel-Drive Trucks from Scania

STOCKHOLM, Sweden --- Via its Finnish subsidiary Oy Scan-Auto Ab Scania has sold all-wheel-drive off-road vehicles to the Finnish defence for delivery during 2009 and 2010. The order is yet another proof of the success of Scanias concept of standard trucks that with some adaptations can be used for special-purpose tasks. The agreement covers twenty-one vehicles including repair and maintenance agreements, training and documentation via Scanias Finnish distributor network, as well as an option for another four units.>> Scania has previously supplied heavy 3- and 4-axle off-road vehicles to the defence forces in Sweden and the Netherlands. In recent months, Scania has received orders for more than 300 defence vehicles based on standard models for example from Ireland, France, Algeria and Australia.>> The vehicles to the Finnish defence are of the type Scania G 380 8x8, i.e. Scanias new medium-high G-series, provided with sleeper cabs, four axles and all-wheel-drive. The engines deliver 380 hp and gearchanging takes place automatically via Scania Opticruise. The trucks will be fitted with hooklifts from Multilift and will be used for training and maintenance operations, as well as for systems within the anti-aircraft, artillery and command operations.>> Scania recently sold 26 engines for 13 new patrol vessels to the Finnish Border Guard.>> Scania is one of the worlds leading manufacturers of trucks and buses for heavy transport applications, and of industrial and marine engines. A growing proportion of the companys operations consists of products and services in the financial and service sectors, assuring Scania customers of cost-effective transport solutions and maximum uptime. Employing more than 35,000 people, Scania operates in about 100 countries. Research and development activities are concentrated in Sweden, while production takes place in Europe and South America, with facilities for global interchange of both components and complete vehicles. In 2007, invoiced sales totalled SEK 84.5 billion and the net income amounted to SEK 8.6 billion.