Having served as General Manager of Volvo Bus Australia (VBA) for two years, Downs is to assume the new role following Mark Strambi’s retirement. In conjunction with the new appointment, VBA has also announced that David Mead, currently Vice President of Volvo Buses Asia Pacific Region, will assume the role of acting general manager for VBA until a successor of Downs is appointed. “The ability for the Volvo Bus Australia team to continue to deliver and perform as a market leader during times of change is a true testament to the broad ranging knowledge, experience and maturity that extends across the entire Volvo Bus Australia team,” Mead said. “We are proud to have the largest, most experienced, bus-specific team in the country.” VBA confirms that the recruitment process for Downs’ successor has already begun.

Downs’ extensive experience with VBA began while she was still studying at university, after which she spent four years (2008-2012) as Sales and Marketing Coordinator at the company. She later went on to securing her position as Global Sales and Competence Development Manager at Volvo Bus HQ in Gothenburg, Sweden before her expertise landed her at Volvo Bus East Asia in Singapore as Commercial Development Director. Downs later on served as Major Accounts Manager for just under a year when she returned to VBA in 2017, before assuming her current role as General Manager in March 2018.

Martin Merrick, President and CEO of VGA, looks forward to her appointment and is excited to see her soar to great heights at UD Trucks Australia: “I am convinced Lauren’s experience with Volvo Bus perfectly positions her to succeed with UD Trucks Australia. Lauren has had brilliant success with Volvo Bus in a time where they have been the market leaders in the country. I am looking forward to Lauren bringing this success to the UD team.”

Downs is equally as excited for her new position and has plans to implement her passions and interests within UD Trucks Australia: “Customer success is a particular passion of mine and I’m committed to continuing that in my new role.” Downs also cultivated an interest in the hybridization and electrification of vehicles during her time with VBA, and she looks to use the knowledge that she has acquired in the coming years with UD Trucks Australia. Downs’ prior knowledge of the Volvo Group Australia Dealer Network will also place her in a position to help UD continue to deliver a premium customer experience. “I am extremely excited to start working in the UD team, and continuing the brand’s journey to strengthen the partnerships with our customers, further leverage the strength of the industry leading national dealer network, and ultimately deliver the highest possible customer experience. In particular, it is undoubtedly an exciting time to join the UD brand with the new products coming to Australian roads soon.”