History of Volvo Trucks
The Sweden-based Volvo Group, parent of Volvo Trucks, has been a successful truck maker for more than 80 years, building a wide variety of heavy-duty trucks used primarily for long-haul uses. It has forged alliances with several other European, American and Japanese truck makers to increase its global market share.
Other People Are Reading
-
Early Vehicles
-
Although Volvo developed a line of cars along with trucks, the company's 1928 LV Series I truck was an instant success.
Postwar Boom
-
Volvo truck sales skyrocketed at the end of World War II due to the pent-up demand for heavy-duty vehicles, yet just two years later the company began producing more cars than trucks.
-
Military Uses
-
Between 1959 and 1961, the Swedish Army began using Laplander L3314 trucks, which were forward control vehicles coming in either an enclosed cab, half-cab or open cab.
Safety Design
-
The company began building its reputation for safety with the 1977-93 F10 and F12 series that featured a special "safety cab" with an emphasis on ergonomic features.
Types
-
In 1980 Volvo purchased the bankrupted White trucks, and seven years later bought the rights to General Motors heavy-duty trucks to become WhiteGMC, which in 1997 was re-named Volvo.
Partnerships
-
Alliances include the U.S.-built Mack trucks, Renault of France and UD Trucks, owned by Nissan.
Fun Fact
-
Volvo in 2009 manufactures more than 100,000 trucks annually worldwide.
-
Resources
- Photo Credit Volvo Group
