DUBLIN, Va. — The timing is right for Volvo Trucks North America to “take a further step” into the heavy-haul market, a company executive said during the launch of an updated model in its VNX series.

ATLANTA — Volvo Trucks North America is preparing for expected heavy-duty sales growth in 2018, and two trucks introduced earlier this year, the new VNR and the remodeled VNL, will be its main warhorses.

Volvo Trucks North America has opened a new customer center here to educate visitors about its products, and it features proving grounds for testing its trucks.

The leaders of Volvo Trucks’ global and North American operations expressed optimism about the second half of this year and into 2018 during presentations for the launch of the company’s new VNL longhaul tractor.

Volvo Trucks North America introduced a redesigned version of its VNL-series over-the-road tractor designed to improve the truck’s fuel efficiency and performance, as well as driver comfort.