Victor Carvalho has been named as the new Scania New Zealand managing director, replacing Rafael Alvarenga.

Alvarenga will be taking up a new role with Scania’s owner, Traton Group – vice president of commercial operations at Navistar in Mexico.

Carvalho joins Scania NZ from his role as head of Scania Portugal.

“I am looking forward to my new chapter with Scania in New Zealand and pick up where Rafael has left off. I am excited about continuing the growth and success of the New Zealand business and experiencing the Kiwi culture with my family,” said Carvalho.

Scania significantly expanded its footprint throughout New Zealand during Alvarenga’s two year tenure and now enjoys a stable of 25 nation-wide service centres, of which 10 are Scania New Zealand branches and 15 are independent approved service centres.

Alvarenga said he is proud and pleased to be handing the reins to Carvalho, with the business in a market-leading position and exciting growth plans for the future.

‘The quality of Scania NZ’s team and culture alongside our customer-first mantra and can-do Kiwi attitude has made my time here one of the most rewarding of my career. But my main reason for optimism is knowing about the impressive plans that lie ahead for Scania’s growth in NZ. I know Victor will embrace and amplify those strategies,” said Alvarenga.

Carvalho’s career with Scania spans more than 20 years, most recently as regional director for Portugal for four years, and he also enjoyed an incredibly successful period as director of truck sales for Latin America during the last decade.

Victor hails from Brazil and comes to New Zealand with his wife and two small children.