en.Wedoany.com Reported - Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has delivered the first next-generation SD120 soil compactor in Thailand through authorized dealer CHAIRATCHAKARN (Bangkok) Co., Ltd. (referred to as CHAB in the industry), with the end user being local contractor Gabion (Thailand).
The delivery was not a single-unit transaction but was made as a fleet package alongside a next-generation EC210 excavator. Gabion had already received two EC210 units in 2025, and based on its experience with the performance and after-sales support of that model, decided to place an additional order for the SD120. The order was placed shortly after the official launch of the SD120 series at the CHAB customer exhibition in February 2026, marking the model's first entry into the Thai market.
CHAB has ordered eight SD120 machines from the factory, with four already delivered and the remaining four to follow. The dealer invested working capital in bulk stocking before final customer orders were confirmed, demonstrating clear confidence in market demand. CHAB traces this momentum back to the fourth quarter of 2025, when road construction and maintenance activities in Thailand began to pick up significantly. Compaction equipment sits at an early stage of the engineering cycle, and a surge in demand for it typically precedes the full emergence of a road construction boom, serving as a leading indicator of industry trends.
Dwi Prihartono, Head of Volvo Construction Equipment Thailand, said: "Thailand is an important market for Volvo CE, and we see strong demand for efficient and reliable compaction solutions. The delivery of the first SD120 soil compactor reflects both the growing opportunities in infrastructure development and customer confidence in Volvo machines and services."
The SD120 has an operating weight of 11.4 tons and is designed for the Asian market. The powertrain is equipped with a 99 kW Volvo D5 engine, paired with an improved hydraulic system, delivering up to 8% better fuel efficiency than the previous generation. This improvement is partly attributed to a redesigned three-speed throttle (previously two-speed), allowing operators finer control over work intensity and fuel consumption. Other adjustments include a sturdier push rod, a repositioned throttle, and a ROPS canopy with a bolted sun visor for easier removal during transport. The version delivered to Thailand is also equipped with the Volvo telematics platform CareTrack, enabling real-time machine data transmission and proactive maintenance support.
This delivery comes amid an overall rise in infrastructure investment in Thailand. The Ministry of Transport has secured a budget of approximately 265 billion Thai baht for 2026, up about 8.5% year-on-year, and has planned multiple route projects including the Nakhon Pathom–Cha-am highway and the Phuket highway. Additionally, the government has proposed a transportation blueprint totaling over one trillion baht, with the land bridge project connecting the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea as one of the main objectives. However, a general election was held in Thailand in February 2026, and the political transition may delay approval processes involving long-term budget commitments. PwC Thailand forecasts that annual infrastructure spending could increase from approximately $18 billion in 2024 to $28 billion by 2050, with transportation remaining the largest sector.
Volvo Construction Equipment's deliveries grew by 12% in the first quarter of 2026, with sustained growth in Southeast Asia, as well as in Indonesia, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania, partially offsetting weak performance in Europe, China, Japan, and South Korea. Nunnapin Petcharapirat (known as Nan), CEO of CHAIRATCHAKARN (Bangkok) Co., Ltd., added: "This delivery marks an exciting step forward for our compaction business in Thailand. Customers are increasingly seeking solutions that combine performance with strong after-sales support. Our partnership with Volvo CE allows us to deliver both, and we are proud to support Gabion (Thailand) as it continues to expand its operations with Volvo equipment." The Southeast Asian construction equipment market was approximately 53,000 units in 2024 and is expected to exceed 69,000 units by 2030, with global brands competing fiercely on price with Chinese manufacturers.
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