Liner transport director and company owner Paul Evans explains that he runs four trucks, two of which are Volvo FH tractor units – one a 16-year old X-plated Version 1 and the other an 06 registered Classic.
The latest FH-500 comes equipped with Volvo’s Globetrotter cab and the 13-litre 500bhp engine and drives through the I-Shift AMT (automated manual transmission).
“I learnt to drive in a Volvo F88,” recalls Evans. “I bought the X reg FH-420 when it was six years old... Although it’s 16 years old now, it’s still got the same gearbox and clutch.
“It’s never needed either a new gearbox or clutch and we do between 60 and 70,000 km a year: that’s pretty amazing.
“The latest FH is our first new truck and if it is as reliable as ‘X89 ACJ’, I will be very pleased.”
The latest FH is due to go on the road shortly pulling dual-compartment fridge trailers, carrying ships’ provisions of all shapes and sizes, from the chandlers to ports around the UK, such as Southampton, Tilbury and Greenock Ocean Terminal.
The newly-acquired FH was supplied by Wales and West Truck and Bus, Avonmouth, which will also be maintaining the truck on a Volvo Gold R&M contract.