Press releases 2002

Volvo Penta's QL (Quality Line) accessories range is now being extended with completely new deckwash pumps for efficient cleaning onboard, new and more efficient water pressure pumps, and a full range of shaft-mounted bronze propellers.

The first new generation Volvo VN tractor left the New River Valley Assembly Plant in Dublin, VA, on Nov. 14, for delivery to a waiting customer, less than three months after its introduction to the North American trucking industry. The first new VN, a VNL670 complete with an EPA'02-compliant engine, will enter fleet operation in the next few weeks.

Gunilla Rittgård has been appointed President of Celero Support AB, effective from December 1, 2002.

Deliveries from Volvo's truck operations, which includes Volvo Trucks, Mack Trucks, Inc. and Renault Trucks, increased by 11% for the month of October, compared with the same month last year. On a year-to-date basis, deliveries amounted to 130,639 trucks, an increase of 2% compared with the corresponding period in the preceding year. In Europe, deliveries declined by 3 % while North America posted a 12% increase compared with the corresponding period a year earlier.

Volvo Penta is now launching a folding propeller with four blades, thus creating the conditions for even better performance, particularly for larger sailboats with more powerful engines. The new propeller will be available for engines up to approx 120 horsepower.

Staffan Jufors, President of Volvo Penta has been named Leader of the Year 2002 by the Swedish business weekly, Affärsvärlden. Staffan Jufors was selected for the award for his excellent leadership of Volvo Penta over the past four years.

The Renault Mascott light truck will be marketed to complement the Volvo truck range in Sweden. Renault Mascott will be distributed through 15 of Volvo's truck dealer companies, which can thus offer the market trucks from 3.5 tons total weight up to 16 ton and even more. Deliveries will start early 2003, concentrated to distribution centres throughout the country. The Renault Mascott range covers 3.5 to 6.5 tons total weight, and is ideal for light deliveries, municipal service and construction work.

Volvo Penta has signed an agreement with the Italian power boat manufacturer Sessa Marine regarding deliveries of approximately 1,000 engines and drive systems over three years. The total order value amounts to approximately SEK 100 million.

Volvo Aeros Rymddivision har levererat det första kompletta sandwichmunstycket för raketmotorn RL60 till Pratt & Whitney. Detta är det första steget mot en fullskaleutveckling av RL60, nästa generations syre/vätedrivna raketmotor, utvecklad av Pratt & Whitney.

America's Road Team Keeps on Rollin'The American Trucking Associations (ATA) and Volvo Trucks North America today announced that Volvo Trucks will sponsor ATA's America's Road Team, trucking's premier industry and truck driver image program. The announcement came at ATA's annual Management Conference & Exhibition here.