Volvo says new trucks will deliver 2014 Euro 6 growth 16 January 2014

Volvo is bucking the trend among the big seven truck manufacturers and forecasting only a slight decline in demand for Euro 6 vehicles in the early part of the year.

According to trucks product manager John Comer, the demand for Euro 6 trucks "remains very healthy, as most of the early preconceptions about performance have been dismissed".

"We expect 2014 to start with a flurry of activity as derogated Euro 5 trucks are registered, but we anticipate a small decline in demand for the more expensive Euro 6 models," he states.

"The market [will] move back to more normal levels towards the year-end."

As with all of the big seven, Comer says there was a lot of activity in the run up to 2014 – in Volvo's case, with "many customers" looking to purchase the last of the Classic FH and new FH Euro 5 trucks.

That, he says, was particularly the case with rigids, which resulted in an excellent year for Volvo Trucks.

"For Volvo, the new FH chassis and driveline technology is now available on the new FM and FMX at Euro 6 and already we have seen considerable interest through a series of customer ride 'n' drives held in Sweden," comments Comer.

"The FMX range particularly has seen continued interest, specifically in the construction 8x4 market at Euro 6 and the market is still buoyant for 6x4 and 8x4 tippers," he continues.

"The FL and FE ranges have also benefited from a completely new driveline at Euro 6. The new D8 engine coupled with a full two-pedal 12-speed I shift automated transmission gives the FE a boost at 18- and 26-tonnes, while a new four-cylinder optimised 12-tonne chassis in the form of the FL 512 opens up new opportunities for Volvo in the urban and inter-urban distribution segments.

"Certainly, the interest in the new FL 512 has been very encouraging so far….

"2014 looks very promising for Volvo Trucks – and that is before we factor in the effects of Whole Vehicle Type Approval in October and ESP [electronic stability programme], which will become mandatory on all new registrations from November."

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Volvo Group UK Ltd

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