Home Fleetwatch 2014 Volvo Trucks SA delivers first units of new range

Volvo Trucks SA delivers first units of new range

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Happy at the handover of the first new Volvo FH models to Triton Express are, from left: George Horn, managing director, Triton Linehaul; Eric Corbishley, Group CEO, Triton Express; Torbjörn Christensson, president, Volvo Trucks South Africa; and Kavanagh, sales executive, Volvo Trucks.

Volvo Trucks Southern Africa has delivered the first regional units of its new range of trucks to customers in South Africa.

In Gauteng, Triton Express Group CEO, Eric Corbishley, was officially handed the keys of two new truck tractors – a Volvo FH 500 HP 6×4 and a FH 480 HP 6×4 – while in KwaZulu Natal, the Westmead Group took delivery of two new FH 480 6×4 units.

“This is a significant milestone for the Volvo Trucks team as it is the culmination of years of planning and hard work,” says Volvo Group SA president, Torbjörn Christensson at the Triton handover.

Eric Corbishley, Group CEO of Triton Express takes to the wheel of the new Volvo FH model brought into the fleet.
Eric Corbishley, Group CEO of Triton Express takes to the wheel of the new Volvo FH model brought into the fleet.

“We are proud to be delivering these first units to some of our most valued customers with whom we have had a good relationship over a number of years. They both share many of our core values such as environmental care and safety and we therefore believe these new units will certainly add a lot of value to their business.”

Established in 1987, Triton Express provides express road freight distribution solutions for more than 2 500 customers throughout the region. The company has 13 branches throughout South Africa and six in Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

The FH 500 HP 6×4 truck tractor received by Triton is Euro 5 compliant and has a high chassis height and rear air suspension. Three years ago, the company was also first in the country to acquire a Euro 5 FH Classic – and 8% of their current fleet is also Euro 5 compliant.

The second model, the FH 480, also has a high chassis height and rear suspension but has a Euro 3 engine. Both units are equipped with Volvo’s latest safety, security and comfort technology – from driver alert and lane change support to Dynafleet support and telematics.

The Westmead Group’s CEO Vishal Haripersadh (centre) and Jay Haripersadh (director) receive the keys to their first new Volvo FH model from Torbjörn Christensson, President Volvo Group South Africa. The new branding as seen on this model will soon extend to all units in the fleet.
The Westmead Group’s CEO Vishal Haripersadh (centre) and Jay Haripersadh (director) receive the keys to their first new Volvo FH model from Torbjörn Christensson, President Volvo Group South Africa. The new branding as seen on this model will soon extend to all units in the fleet.

The family-owned Westmead Group took delivery of their two FH 480 HP 6×4 truck-tractors at company group director, Jay Haripersad’s new hotel in Ballito, The Boathouse. Significantly, the Westmead Group has taken ownership of all three generations of Volvo FH models since Volvo’s inception in South Africa.

The Westmead Group was established in 1995 and currently employs more than 250 people. It has offices in Durban and Johannesburg. Going into the future, Westmead’s entire fleet will boast new branding on its vehicles, as with the new Volvo FH introduced.

The new FH Series has been designed with the driver in mind providing them with a comfortable, profitable and safe ride. Fuel efficiency is a high priority in today’s trucking world and the diesel engines deliver great pulling power and, with higher torque, it is possible – without raising engine revs – to fit faster rear axle ratios, which helps lower fuel consumption even further.  All the models in the FH range use Volvo’s I-Shift 12-speed automated mechanical gearbox without a clutch pedal.

The Volvo FH has been Volvo Trucks’ flagship model for almost 20 years. Since the launch of a new version of the Volvo FH in Europe in 2012, more than 25 00 units have already been sold in that region.

“Locally, we are expecting to complete delivery of the first 20 units of the new range at the beginning of June and the run-out of the Classic ranges by the end of the month,” says Christensson. “With a healthy local order book of already more than 1 000 units, we are looking forward to increased market share and continued success with the new model ranges.”