Hard on the heels of Volvo Trucks’ flagship FH new models being released for New Zealand sale, the new FH has won the coveted ‘international truck of the year, 2014’.
The award, voted on by journalists representing 25 European commercial vehicle magazines, was received by a delighted Volvo Trucks president Claes Nilsson at the awards ceremony, held at the Comtrans exhibition in Moscow, on Monday evening.
Summing up the jury vote, ‘international truck of the year’ chairman Gianenrico Griffini says: “Volvo Trucks has delivered a completely new heavy-duty truck; with an innovative cab, hi-tech driveline components and advanced maintenance solutions. The new FH has set a new industry benchmark.”
This is the third international truck of the year award the FH has taken out, having previously won in 1994 on the original FH launch, and again in 2000.
Nilsson, of Volvo Trucks, was upbeat: “When we introduced the new FH in September 2012 we claimed that it pushed the envelope of what a premium truck can offer, and this award confirms that the Volvo FH lives up to this promise.”
Nilsson says that the award is a badge of honour for Volvo Trucks – but it is also good for its customers.
“The new FH has been designed to improve an operator’s profitability, but being able to provide your drivers the opportunity to work in the international truck of the year, is of course an added bonus.”
As reported in DIESELtalk last week (here) New Zealand customer feedback at recent test drive sessions has been positive toward the new FH.
The first new FHs arrived in New Zealand last month, reserved for local evaluation and technician training. Orders have already been taken, with the first deliveries expected Q2/2014.
New Zealand-bound Volvo trucks will continue to be built at Volvo’s Wacol, Queensland plant, says MTD national sales manager, Clive Jones: “This will continue to provide New Zealand customers with a truck genuinely customised to New Zealand conditions.”
