Volvo rolls out heavy trucks

P K Hari
15 September 2003

Hyderabad: Volvo India has rolled out its new generation of trucks, heralding the next step in trucking in India. They are: the FM12 6x4 380 hp tractor, the FM9 6x2 300 hp tractor, the FM9 6x4 300 hp tipper and the FM9 8x4 tipper.

The new models have several improvements in the areas of safety, haulage economy, fuel consumption and environment care. All the new models are Euro III-complaint and have been adapted to Indian customer needs based on Volvo''s experience in long haul and off-road applications.

The new range is built to be used efficiently in demanding conditions, with minimum disruptions for service and maintenance. The new trucks are from Volvo''s all-new global product portfolio, which has been the group''s biggest product overhaul in a decade, created at an investment of over Rs 2,900 crore.

In the last five years, since Volvo began operations in India, the need for large-combination vehicles has been well accepted in the industry and among authorities, too. With this concept in mind, Volvo now takes its next step — bringing in products that lay the road to the next level in reliability, truck technology, environment and safety standards — aspects that are essential to exploit the upcoming superhighways and to enhance logistics efficiency in the industry.

The trucks are fitted with brand-new fuel-efficient engines — the new D9 and 12D engines — a new electronics system, a new chassis range, a new cab variant, an updated exterior with improved aerodynamics, and a new interior. The engine offers higher torque and pulling power and improved driveability.

The new trucks provide higher gradability and startability — moving quicker on gradients and making the gear-shifting process easier and offering numerous opportunities to reduce fuel consumption. The new engine comes along with a perfectly matched Volvo driveline that meets operators'' specific requirements.