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| Scania Korea Managing Director and CEO Jarkko Ketola introduces the Scania Super during a press conference at Swiss Grand Hotel Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Scania Korea |
CEO believes infrastructure for electric trucks in Korea insufficient
By Park Jae-hyuk
Korea's hottest summer in five years surprised and challenged the newly appointed managing director and CEO of Scania Korea, Jarkko Ketola, who arrived in the country for the first time in late July.
As a person who loves winter and winter sports, the Finnish head of the Swedish truck maker's Korean subsidiary said he was surprised at the high temperatures and humidity in Seoul, when he commuted from his home in Itaewon to his office in Gangnam.
The sweltering heat this year, however, has also raised awareness among more Koreans about the importance of sustainability and reducing carbon emissions, paving the way for Scania's new truck, Super, to gain more popularity in this country.
"The new Super engine platform is capable of managing even stricter emission standards that will be introduced in the future," Ketola told The Korea Times during an interview, Wednesday, a day before Scania Korea unveiled the truck to the local press. "But it's not only about engine technology, we also help Scania drivers and customers to use their trucks more efficiently and economically to save fuel and reduce CO2 emissions."
Super, which was launched five years after the release of All New Scania, gives drivers 8 percent in fuel savings, compared to the previous model, according to Scania.
The company expressed confidence that the new diesel engine-powered truck will remain the best option for the environment until the era of electric trucks arrives.
The Scania Korea CEO also explained that hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles can be an interim solution.
"We believe that electric trucks are the future, but the transition from internal combustion engines to battery electric vehicles takes time," said the CEO, mentioning the three key elements necessary to commercialize electric trucks ― green electricity availability, charging infrastructure in place and government subsidies and/or Zero-emission zones introduced typically in city centers.
"And on top of these, there needs to be customers who want to be in the forefront of sustainability journey," he said. "Scania is already selling electric trucks globally, and we will prepare the Scania Korean sales and service network so as to be ready for electric vehicles ― when the time is right."
He added that the Korean market lacks clear legislation for heavy-duty electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.
Regarding autonomous driving technologies, Ketola said regulations should be clearer about who should take responsibility for accidents, although Scania is studying relevant technologies.
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| Scania Korea Managing Director and CEO Jarkko Ketola, right, poses next to the Scania Super with Johannes Andreasson, left, deputy head of mission at the Embassy of Sweden in Seoul, and European Chamber of Commerce in Korea Chairman Philippe Van Hoof at Swiss Grand Hotel Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Scania Korea |
He also admitted that the lingering economic downturn could have a negative impact on the company's business.
"The truck market is going through a very difficult time at the moment with a high-interest rate and economic downturn," he said. "The total market is forecasted to be at a low level perhaps throughout next year."
Despite the difficulties, Scania has increased its Korean market share gradually.
"Since the launch of the new truck generation in 2018, Scania has achieved an average of one percent market share growth every year," Ketola said.
With the launch of the new truck, Scania Korea plans to visit customers across the country through roadshows for about a month to showcase its new products and listen to customer feedback.
