Volvo Trucks Redesigns Four Key Heavy-Duty Models
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Volvo Trucks announced driver-focused redesigns on four heavy-duty cabover models, calling the effort its — and the industry’s — biggest product launch ever. The trucks are intended for Volvo’s European market now and other global markets beginning at the end of this year, but not North America.
The new product range comes as estimates show about 20% of all driver jobs are vacant in Europe, while in Germany 40% of the drivers are expected to retire in 10 to 15 years.
In Brazil, the shortage has reached 100,000, and 10% of India’s fleet is idle, according to Volvo Trucks, a unit of Gothenburg, Sweden-based Volvo Group.
Volvo FH 16 by Volvo Trucks
The models in the launch — Volvo FH, FH16, FM and FMX — represent 70% of the company’s global sales, Volvo Trucks President Roger Alm said, noting that in 2019 the truck maker had record deliveries of 131,000 units to global customers.
“We all know there is a global challenge regarding drivers in our industry. We want to help our customers to attract the drivers so they can operate their business and the trucks,” he said. “We will have now a completely new driver experience and set a new standard in our industry. We are developing these products for both female and male drivers.”
Volvo’s key points when developing the upgraded models centered on:
- Improved visibility.
- Comfort.
- Ergonomics.
- Noise level.
- Maneuverability.
- Fuel efficiency.
- Safety.
Volvo Trucks, a unit of Volvo Group, announced the effort in a March 5 webcast from Sweden that replaced an on-site media event it canceled over concerns with the COVID-19 virus.
Volvo FM by Volvo Trucks
The new product range announcement followed a report that total European commercial vehicle registrations declined 17% in January compared with a year earlier. David Leiker, a financial analyst with R.W. Baird & Co., attributed the decrease primarily to a pull forward in demand reflecting tachograph-related regulatory changes.
Meanwhile, the new Volvo FM and Volvo FMX, used in construction and rough-terrain applications, have a new cab, as well as many of the same instrument display functions as their larger Volvo counterparts, according to the company. Their interior volume has been increased by up to 35.3 cubic feet to provide better comfort and more working room. The direct visibility is 10% better due to larger windows, a lowered door line and new mirrors.
Volvo said it has “reimagined” the cab for its FH model used in longhaul applications. Among the new features are:
- Signature V-shaped LED headlights that disable or activate the high-beam as needed.
- Descent control to limit unwanted downhill acceleration.
- Adaptive cruise control that performs at all speeds.
- Electronically controlled brake system.
Options include dynamic steering, lane keeping assist and stability assist.
The FH16, a premium product with a 16-liter, 750 horsepower engine, features a road sign recognition system displayed in the instrument panel. The system detects signs such as overtaking restrictions, road type and speed limits.
The visibility can be improved further by adding a camera on the passenger side to provide a complementary view of the side of the truck on the display screen.
The all new Volvo FMX has a bold, confident cab design constructed for the toughest everyday assignments. pic.twitter.com/d7bgUjVGGV — Volvo Trucks (@VolvoTrucks) March 3, 2020
In many markets, the Volvo FH and Volvo FM are available with the Euro 6-compliant liquefied natural gas engine that offers fuel efficiency and performance on par with that of Volvo’s equivalent diesel trucks, but with a far lower climate impact.
Among the new services is a use-based Flexi-Gold contract in which a customer will know the cost per kilometer of operating a truck, Alm said.
Each monthly invoice is based on the driving for that month with fees broken down into fixed and variable parts tailored to the truck’s actual mileage. The contract has been made possible by advances in telematics, which enable vehicles to communicate real-time mileage with Volvo Trucks. Essentially, drive less, pay less. Or drive more, pay more. The contract provides customers with a 40% flexibility span, in which annual mileage can exceed or go under the agreed mileage by 20%.
To underscore the strength and safety of its models, Volvo Trucks stacked them atop each other in a tower 49 feet tall with a combined weight of 127,868 pounds. Alm stood astride the tower amid stately choral music, nighttime rain and lightning flashes for a promotional YouTube video.
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