Volvo Trucks at the European Road Transport Show
by EVANDER KLUM
Volvo will be participating in the 2007 European Road Transport Show to be held at the RAI in Amsterdam on October 26 until November 3. The Swedish company will hold driving fuel efficiently to save both money and environment as the most important message of the event. The event will focus on the ��Fuelwatch��, a holistic concept that provides the customers considerably lower fuel costs along with the opportunity to take active responsibility in caring for the environment. This concept makes use of a combination of both hardware and software to take a holistic coverage of the customers�� fuel consumption.
With the competition in the industry getting tougher coupled with ever-growing environmental concerns, auto makers are looking for ways to get the lead in getting and keeping the consumers�� attention. Volvo, as one of the active participants, is working to promote clean environment and good fuel economy, as what their customers now demand for.
Under Volvo��s ��Fuelwatch�� stand, visitors in the show will get to have the opportunity to witness how it is possible to make significant fuel savings through a planned and structured method. Volvo will emphasize the big gains that come from a number of interacting measures from specifying the truck correctly when placing the order. It is to make sure that the drivers are properly trained to drive in the most economical way possible. But, this is not solely focused for the interest of new-truck customers, since existing trucks could still be upgraded to make it more fuel efficient through altering the transmission software.
Volvo has anticipated the future of reduced oil dependency and increased demand on the use of renewable fuels. Having prepared for it, the automaker is ready to demonstrate their expertise in the field. The upcoming show is an opportunity to tackle the fuels of the future, more than their potential to greatly reduced gas emissions through the use of upgraded and quality Volvo catalytic converter and other top of the line parts.
Volvo will display a truck that runs under biogas and biodiesel. The vehicle will represent Volvo��s next generation approach on the future fuels. Volvo will equip the heavy trucks with its unique hybrid technology, which will be in a form of a prototype engine.
The automaker is also set to display their technical expertise along with showing their customers the needed competence to develop more fuel efficient vehicles and technologies for renewable fuels. The automaker will also be presenting options for political leaders on which fuels to focus on for the future.
Among the technologies that will be featured in the show include that of the I-Shift, an automated transmission for their vehicles. In 2001, it was first introduced and later gained huge sales success. After four years, the technology was launched for construction operations with equal success. At present, approximately 60 percent of Volvo trucks are made equipped with I-Shift, as it is a significant ingredient in the optimized driveline.
Volvo will also highlight the VEB (Volvo Engine Brake). The latest version is an unsurpassed engine brake suitable for both long haulage and tough construction work.
The Volvo FH16 will also be on display. It has the best torque in the market with its massive 660 hp.
Among the vehicles that will be featured are as follows: Volvo FL 4x2 R (with box body), Volvo FE 4x2 T (fuel optimized), Volvo FE 6x2 R, Volvo FM 8x4 R (with hook lift), Volvo FM 4x2 T (fuel optimized), Volvo FH 6x2 T (80 years truck), Volvo FH 4x2 T (fuel optimized), Volvo FH16 8x4 (heavy haulage), and Volvo VT880 (for heavy haulage in North America).
