While Mack and Volvo products will remain separate, the newly merged companies are looking for ways to share resources. That's what Michel Gigou, the new CEO of Volvo Trucks North America, told the Greensboro, N.C., News & Record.

In what the paper says is Gigou's first interview since moving from sister company Mack to take the reins at Volvo, Gigou said he loves a challenge.
"This company is under-performing for a lot of reasons," he told the paper in the interview, conducted the day before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. At that point, he predicted that there would not be much brightening in the economic situation before 2003. But he is working on a plan to turn the company around, with a goal of raising market share from 11 percent to 15 percent by 2005. He expects to announce a plan next month, which will also address cutting fixed costs.
"My fear is that the market is not going to recover quickly," he told the paper. "We need to look at our company and say, 'Is it lean enough'?"
Gigou emphasized that despite Volvo's purchase of Renault RVI/Mack, the products will remain separate, appealing to two different types of customer. However, many behind-the-scenes functions will likely be integrated. The two companies' purchasing divisions have already been merged.