focus on tippers
PRODUCTION BEGINS FOR NEW VOLVO TIPPER RANGE
As launches go, overhauling 70% of your truck range in one go could be seen as a fairly bold approach. But then again, Volvo Trucks has form – and isn’t keen on doing things by halves.
“Our aim is to be our customers’ best business partner by making them even more competitive to help them attract the best drivers in an increasingly tough market,” says Roger Alm, President of Volvo Trucks.
A little over a year ago the company unveiled four new models in a launch hastily moved online because of the pandemic. Twelve months on, and production of these new models has begun, and the first dealer demonstrators and customer trucks will be arriving into the marketplace shortly.
“Drivers who handle their truck safely and efficiently are an invaluable asset to any transport company. Responsible driving behaviour can help reduce CO2 emissions and fuel costs, as well as helping reduce the risk of accidents, injury and unplanned downtime. Our new trucks will help drivers work even more safely and productively and give our customers stronger arguments when competing to attract the best drivers.”
Key to the new range is the brand-new Volvo FMX and FM, which have a strong heritage in the construction, plant and quarrying sectors. At the same time Volvo is also introducing a revamped and refurbished FH and FH16 – popular for low loader work in the plant sector, amongst many other missions. The overriding focus for all four new and improved trucks is – the driver. A more than sensible approach when you consider the pressure on the availability of skilled drivers worldwide. Research conducted in early 2020 found that in Europe, around one fifth of all driver jobs were vacant. A point clearly not lost on Volvo, which claims these new trucks will help that recruitment process by offering “safer, more efficient and more attractive working tools.
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PLANT & CIVIL ENGINEER
Taking a closer look, Volvo certainly appears to have backed up those claims.
The new trucks have been given a significant interior overhaul. The dashboard has a completely new interface for information and communication, making it easier to view and manage different functions aimed, Volvo say, to “create less stress and distraction” for the driver. The instrument display is fully digital, with an impressive 12-inch screen that makes it easy to choose the information needed at any time. In addition, there is a supplementary nineinch side display available for infotainment, navigation, transport information and camera monitoring. The functions can be controlled via buttons on the steering wheel, by voice control, or via the touchscreen and display control panel. Plus, they also come with Amazon’s Alexa built-in too. It’s a very nice bit of technology, that improves the driver experience across all four ranges. However, the changes to the all-new FMX and FM go even further.
Volvo FMX The all-new FMX offers increased front axle loads of up to 20 tonnes and a new 38 tonne bogie. It is also built on an entirely new cab platform, featuring a front section with replaceable sturdy parts, headlamp protectors, anti-slip footsteps and new V-shaped LED headlamps.
