Volvo VNR daycab by Jonathan S. Reiskin/TT
MONTREAL — Anticipating further growth in shorthaul trucking, Volvo Trucks North America unveiled its new regional haul tractor here, the VNR, which will be available for delivery in September.
The new tractor made its debut April 19, the day before the start of ExpoCam, a major Canadian truck show. The VNR will replace the VNM, which has been a Volvo mainstay since the 1990s.
VNR’s powertrain will be anchored by the company’s 11- and 13-liter diesel engines and the Volvo I-Shift automated manual transmission. The company is also considering a natural gas option — probably the Cummins Westport ISX 12G — in the near future for fleets working in areas with stringent environmental requirements.
“It is a cool truck that will meet tomorrow’s demand,” VTNA President Göran Nyberg told about 390 guests, including Volvo dealers, customers, staff and trucking reporters.
Nyberg said the truck offers versatility, efficiency and connectivity.
The VNR will be available for order beginning April 24.
Magnus Koeck, vice president of marketing and brand management, said likely applications for the VNR include private fleets, tank truck and less-than-truckload carriers, intermodal drayage providers.
The last VNM will be assembled in late July at Volvo’s Dublin, Va., plant. Then there will be a two-week retooling period and new VNRs will start rolling down the production line on Aug. 14, said Jason Spence, a product marketing manager for Volvo.
The first deliveries are expected to be made in September. Options for cab configuration are a daycab and 41-inch and 61-inch sleeper berth models.
Koeck said designers worked to maximize driver comfort and amenities so as to help fleets retain current drivers and recruit new ones.
Nyberg said his new truck is far more than an incremental change to the VNM.
| By Jonathan S. Reiskin Associate News Editor |
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