Volvo Trucks North America has officially started series production of the all-new Volvo VNL at its New River Valley Assembly Plant.

The “completely reimagined” 2024 VNL is 90% brand-new compared to the VNL first introduced in 2017 (at the the company’s first all-new Class 8 highway tractor in 20 years.

The result is Volvo’s greenest, most aerodynamic truck ever, according to the company, offering 10% fuel savings over the previous version.

It’s also the most connected truck the OEM has ever created. 

And it’s a truck that sets new standards for driver comfort, ergonomics and productivity.

“This platform was developed in North America for North America by North American engineers, and it will be built in North America,” said Magnus Koeck, vice president, strategy, branding and marketing for Volvo Trucks North America, when introducing the new truck back in February.

New Volvo VNL Hitting the Streets and Dealer Lots

The New River Valley plant in Dublin, Virginia, is the Volvo Group’s largest assembly facility in the world. More than 2.3 million square feet sits on 566 acres. 

The commercial launch of the all-new Volvo VNL also serves as a christening of the state-of-the-art cab plant, part of a $400 million dollar investment by the Volvo Group in North America in the NRV facilities.

"This truck was designed to change everything and represents Volvo Trucks’ dedication to innovation by combining state-of-the-art technology with unparalleled fuel efficiency, driver comfort, and safety,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo Trucks North America, in a news release announcing the start of production. 

According to Voorhoeve, the new Volvo VNL will be the platform for all the company's upcoming technologies, including future transportation solutions of battery-electric, fuel cell and internal combustion engines running on renewable fuels including hydrogen.

Getting to Know the All-New VNL

Throughout the summer, more than 1,800 customers, dealers and sales staff (and trucking media) participated in immersive events at the Volvo Trucks Customer Center, gaining hands-on experience with the all-new Volvo VNL.

More than 400 all-new Volvo VNLs will start arriving at dealership locations across North America, giving customers a chance to get behind the wheel for a test drive.

The all-new Volvo VNL features four exterior and interior trim levels — Core, Edge, Edge Black, and Ultimate — with six cab configurations. 

The initial 400 trucks will include both sleepers and day cab models, offering a variety of packages, trim levels and powertrain offerings to help customers determine the best fit for their operations. 

Volvo Adds Simpler Spec’ing for New VNL

Volvo said the truck brings industry-first packaging to simplify the spec’ing process for customers and dealers.

In addition, dealers’ service representatives have access to extensive training through e-learning, as well as in-person, instructor-led courses from the Volvo Trucks Academy, ensuring they are fully equipped to support the all-new Volvo VNL when it arrives at dealerships. 

The all-new Volvo VNL boasts a wide array of innovative features, including:

• Advanced aerodynamics for improved fuel efficiency

• Safety technologies like collision avoidance systems, active emergency braking, Volvo dynamic steering (including a new pedestrian detection feature)

• Best-in-class connectivity solutions

• The first North American truck with 24-volt electrical infrastructure.

The New Volvo VNL and Truck Drivers

Designed with driver comfort in mind, the truck features ergonomic seating, advanced climate control, and noise reduction features, among them:

• In the sleeper, an optional folding bunk allows easy access to the dinette space. 

• A new, optional air suspension system offers superior ride quality, stability, and handling for the new Volvo VNL.

• Parking Cooler is a quiet, proprietary, integrated Volvo climate-control option that uses the onboard 24-volt battery system to power the cab’s HVAC when parked.