This week is seeing a new concept from a truck manufacturer, as Volvo launch new truck models by social media.
The Swedish company seems to have foregone, to a certain extent, the typical large media unveiling event with trucks emerging from the artificial smoke with flashing lights and loud music. Instead, there will be a series of videos and social media postings to announce the new trucks.
The ‘victim’ for this latest stunt from Volvo Trucks is Roger Alm, President of Volvo. At the bottom of the 15 metre high stack of trucks, weighing 58 tonnes, is the new twin steer FMX model with increased bogie weight limit at 38 tonnes. This truck is all new as is the highway model the FM.
At the same time, the FH and FH16 launched sees the current truck significantly face-lifted with new headlights and an all new interior.
Following this social media launch this week the truck media of Europe will get to look over and drive the new Volvo next week. Look out for the story of all of the new trucks, as Volvo launch new truck models by social media, in the Going Global section in the next issue of Diesel Magazine.
”This is our biggest launch ever at Volvo Trucks,” said Roger. “They will have a huge impact on our customers’ profitability and ability to compete both for business and the best drivers. I’m used to be on top of things, but for me, shooting the truck tower was definitely an unusual day at work. And let’s just say I have a certain respect for heights. I’m a down to earth guy.”
The film, was shot in late 2019 on a testing ground outside Volvo’s hometown of Gothenburg, Sweden. Both the truck tower and the majority of the visual effects are real, including the smoke and lights, which a behind-the-scenes film reveals.
”It took about a month to design and build the tower and make sure it was safe to drive,” said Markus Wikström, engineer at Volvo Trucks and part of the engineering team behind the tower. “Essentially, this was made possible thanks to the sturdy construction truck, Volvo FMX, and its new 38-tonne bogie being able to carry the weight of the others. But it also required a steady speed and course, accomplished by the Volvo Dynamic Steering technology and a skilled truck driver.”
