Scania restarts production and sales of V8s

Swedish truck maker Scania has restarted production and sales of its V8 engine, after a strike at one of its main casting suppliers forced the temporary halt of production.

Scania said it has begun the “challenging process” of reducing its backlog of truck and industrial and marine engine orders that has built up. It has secured a small but steady initial supply of the engine blocks that are the foundation of the V8s that are built in Södertälje, Sweden, but admits that it will take some time to deal with the backlog.

“This is probably the worst disruption that has hit our company in many decades when it comes to supply disturbances,” said Alexander Vlaskamp, Senior Vice President, Head of Scania Trucks. “I really would like to thank our customers for the great patience and understanding they have been showing during this dire situation. We at Scania are now doing everything in our power to reinstate a normal situation and deliver V8 trucks and engines worldwide as soon as possible.

“There will still be uncertainties for some weeks before we have the whole picture and can ramp up our production. But we are starting now, and will increase gradually with the aim of confirming a correct delivery schedule during the next few months for existing orders. We will successively open up for new orders. This whole situation came at a time when we were extremely busy producing new V8 units and I can only say how sorry we are that this had to happen to Scania’s loyal customers.”

The V8 engines for Scania’s new truck generation, and for its industrial and marine applications, are produced in Södertälje. The truck engine range consists of four different versions, with power outputs ranging from 520hp up 730hp, and to more than 1,150hp for marine engines.

The iconic Scania V8 engine turns 50 next year, and T&D will be giving away a calendar featuring 12 of the best examples in the UK in our January 2019 issue. More information on this will be in our forthcoming October edition, which will be available from all of the usual outlets next month.