Record year for Scania Finance

Just ahead of the rollout of Scania Financial Services Australia, Scania's international finance business has reported it set record earnings of SEK 1.0 billion ($A168 million) last year, in its 20th year as a separate company division.

Scania's customer finance portfolio grew by eight per cent last year to SEK 56.5 billion, helping the finance division's operating income grow to a new high of SEK 1040 million, up from SEK 1016 million the previous year.

According to Koen Knoops, Head of Scania Financial Services, the division's presence is continuing to expand.

"We have a stable market penetration in Europe and are growing in emerging markets," he said.

"For example, we have seen the effect of expanding our local presence in Asia by opening a regional office in Malaysia."

Scania's President and CEO, Henrik Henriksson, said the firm's financial services represented yet another way Scania benefited its customers' bottom line.

"Being an integrated part of our customers' business is the key to success," he said.

"We will achieve this by combining our product and service portfolios, to continue to find ways of improving profitability for our customers."

Mr Henriksson said there was also increasing demand for Scania's insurance products.

"Our offer stands up well against other insurance alternatives in all regions and our customers perceive the advantages of tailored financing and insurance solutions for the transport industry," he said.

The core of the offer is uptime, says Scania. Efficient claims management and fast repairs in Scania's service network contribute to the owner's revenue.

"Such package solutions increase customer satisfaction, customer loyalty and generate business for our workshops," said Henriksson.

Scania Australia announced late last year that it would be launching Scania Financial Services Australia in the first quarter of 2016. The division will be headed up by Peter Taylor (pictured), who was previously the Managing Director of Scania Finance UK.

A second phase will see insurance added to Scania Australia's array of services.