QUEENSLAND’S Western Truck Group, owned by automotive businessman Craig Black, has become Volvo Group Australia’s truck parts and services dealer in the strategic transport hub of Toowoomba.

Volvo Group Australia (VGA) president and CEO Peter Voorhoeve confirmed the appointment of Western Truck Group as its parts and services dealer for Volvo, Mack and UD Trucks in Toowoomba.

“This appointment will see Western Truck Group join us in providing the exceptional service that Volvo Group Australia customers know they can always expect,” Mr Voorhoeve said.

“Toowoomba’s strategic location as a transport gateway to the north, south and west means the Western Truck Group team will become another strong link in an Australia-wide chain of industry-leading parts and services dealerships for Volvo Group Australia.”

Western Truck Group is owned by Craig Black, a Queensland businessman and former owner of a string of car dealerships that he sold to AP Eagers in 2014.

Volvo’s appointment follows Mr Black’s acquisition of the Queensland Truck Centre’s (QTC) dealerships in Toowoomba, Mt Isa and Warana on the Sunshine Coast. QTC had for the past 20 years supplied truck parts to the district.

Mr Black said his business would be investing “heavily” into additional parts stock and operational personnel.

“We have some very experienced truck industry staff joining the business,” he said.

Western Truck Group’s flagship Toowoomba dealership will be extended this year to provide additional capacity for a modification centre for repair and truck rebuilds.

The Toowoomba location is seen as strategic by VGA as a key hub in the road transport network. Truck movements through and around the town have been boosted by a new bypass and a private airport.

In 2014, Craig Black sold his Black Toyota dealership chain in regional Queensland to AP Eagers. He first opened Chinchilla Toyota in 1983.

The sale to AP Eagers included Black Toyota in Dalby, Roma, Warwick, Oakey and Chinchilla, and Central Highlands Toyota in Emerald, Longreach and a service centre in Springsure.

It also included Hyundai dealerships in Warwick and Emerald, Volkswagen dealerships in Roma and Emerald, a Mitsubishi dealership in Emerald, Great Wall dealerships in Roma and Emerald, and the Western Fleet Services business.

His holding included an associated Budget rental car franchise based in Toowoomba and the South West with a fleet size of approximately 400 vehicles and a Boonarga fabrication and fitment business which supports the substantial resources and agribusiness sectors.

By Neil Dowling