Group sales and income are continuing to develop in a favorable manner. All operating sectors are reporting improvements for the first nine months of the year.
Demand for our products has gradually increased in many markets and the fourth quarter began with a strong order backlog. The trend of sales in the markets in Asia is weaker than was foreseen at the beginning of the year, however.
The trend of income in Volvo Cars is most gratifying. The very weak profitability that began in 1995 has turned to stable earnings and an operating margin that is dose to the target set as the average for the Group.