First Euro 6 Volvo FMs delivered

Volvo Group Australia recently marked the occasion of the first locally made Euro 6 Volvo FM prime mover rolling off its assembly line in Wacol, in Brisbane's south-western suburbs.

The first of an order for over 100 trucks, the Euro 6 Volvo FM was handed over by VGA President and CEO, Martin Merrick, to Linfox Logistics Executive Chairman, Peter Fox, with Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport, Scott Buchholz, also in attendance.

"Here we have three iconic brands working together: Volvo Trucks, Linfox and Australian Made," said Mr Merrick.

"We are working together to drive a safer, cleaner, more productive transport industry here in this country. Manufacturing our products in Australia makes us strong, while buying Australian Made promotes success in our community. And now we are building our cleanest, safest trucks here in this country."

This initial batch of Volvo FMs spans 11 and 13-litre engine capacities and power ratings from 460 to 500hp. The trucks also come with a raft of active and passive safety equipment and meet the stringent Swedish BOF10 crash-test standard.

According to Mr Fox, the cleaner-running Euro 6 models are a perfect fit for Linfox on several levels.

"Volvo's new Australian-made Euro 6 fleet combines local manufacturing expertise with our key commitments at Linfox – to act sustainably and lead in safety and compliance," he said.

"Our investment in sustainable vehicles has helped to significantly reduce our emissions over the past several years. Linfox and Volvo share a longstanding commitment to safe, efficient fleets that minimise our impact on the environment and the communities in which we operate."

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Assistant Minister Buchholz said he was thrilled to see local automotive manufacturing thriving.

"You'll hear some people say manufacturing in Australia is dead," he said.

"I say you only need to ask the employees here at this Wacol site, who I might add are building these trucks of tomorrow, about that.

"It is great to see the next generation of Euro 6 vehicles rolling out of the Volvo plant and we look forward to Volvo Group Australia's continuing investment in heavy vehicle manufacturing in Australia."