Volvo has officially kicked off production of the all-new VNL model at its expansive 2.3 million-square-foot New River Valley Assembly facility in Dublin, Virginia. This marks a significant milestone for Volvo Trucks North America (VTNA) as they begin to fill orders with their latest innovation.
The initial production run includes 400 trucks set to be distributed to dealers for customer demonstrations. According to Magnus Koeck, VTNA’s Vice President of Strategy, Branding, and Marketing, “even as the end of the calendar year approaches, the company still has ‘a few’ slots open for 2024 builds.”
At the New River Valley plant—the largest of its kind globally—Volvo’s revamped VNL makes its debut. This launch underscores the brand’s $400 million investment in its new cab production site. The VNL is touted as being 90% new and 10% more efficient, heralding a new era for the company.
Throughout the summer, over 1,800 customers, dealers, and sales personnel attended pre-launch events at Volvo Trucks’ Customer Center, eagerly anticipating the commercial release of their next-generation flagship tractor.
The redesigned Volvo VNL comes in four trim levels—Core, Edge, Edge Black, and Ultimate—and offers six cab configurations, including the VNL 300 Day Cab and the spacious VNL 860 74-inch Full-Height Sleeper.
The VNL series, developed over six years, incorporates insights from Volvo’s SuperTruck 2 initiative. Volvo Trucks North America President Peter Voorhoeve describes it as “the most aerodynamic and efficient truck” in Volvo’s history. This new VNL will be pivotal for future advancements, including battery electric, hydrogen, and autonomous technologies.
Equipped with the D13 engine, the new models offer horsepower ratings from 405 to 500 hp and torque ratings between 1,750 and 1,950 lb-ft. Engine enhancements include smaller needle control valves in the fuel injectors, allowing for better fuel atomization and combustion efficiency. Additionally, the latest I-Shift transmission offers up to 30% faster shifting speeds, improving overall performance.
Source: Commercial Carrier Journal
Image: Volvo Trucks
