The milestone truck, a Volvo D11-powered VAH 200 model, was presented to Hansen & Adkins president Louie Adkins and executive vice president Steve Hansen during a ceremony at Volvo Trucks’ North American headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina.
“Having been involved with the VAH since its inception, it’s nice to commemorate this milestone,” Hansen said. “Auto transport requires a very specific vehicle configuration – low height and short bumper-to-back-of-cab – and Volvo has been responsive in working with us to continue refining the VAH to meet our needs. It’s well accepted by our drivers, who note its comfort."
“We are pleased to recognize Hansen & Adkins with the 1,000th Volvo VAH,” said Göran Nyberg, president, Volvo Trucks North American Sales & Marketing. “Understanding that payload is key for auto transporters, we designed the Volvo Autohauler’s dimensions to maximize the size and number of vehicles that can be carried in each load. The VAH combines maximum payload capacity with Volvo’s hallmarks of product design, efficiency and driver productivity, contributing to a better return on investment for our customers.”
Delivery of the 1,000th VAH highlights the series’ increasing popularity among auto transporters, a small niche market. Volvo Trucks initially introduced the VAH model in March 2011.
All VAH models include a package of unique features that reduce overall height to provide the ultimate in loading flexibility. Deep-drop front axles, low-height Volvo Air Ride rear suspensions and reduced-height cab options all contribute to lower overall height, offering the flexibility to position a car, pick-up or minivan over the truck’s cab. A clean top-of-frame behind the VAH cab expedites body mounting and eases trailer hookup.
“The VAH model and its success has truly been a collaborative effort, working alongside customers to help meet their specific operating needs for this niche market,” said Steve Boyer, president of Fontaine Vocational Services, which has worked closely with Volvo from the beginning on development of the VAH and its ongoing enhancements.
With a coast-to-coast operating area spanning 29 terminals in 21 states, Los Alamitos, California-based Hansen & Adkins serves all of the U.S.-based auto brands, many of the European and Asian brands, as well as numerous used car accounts. The company transports nearly two million vehicles annually, using a fleet of 884 trucks with an average age of less than five years.
In addition to the VAH 200 daycab model for local hauling, the VAH series also includes the VAH 430 model with a 42-inch sleeper and full-size bunk for regional haul operations.
CAPTION: Gӧran Nyberg, president, Volvo Trucks North American Sales & Marketing (center) presents Hansen & Adkins founders Louie Adkins (left) and Steve Hansen (right) with the 1,000th Volvo Autohauler during an Oct. 1, 2014 ceremony at Volvo Trucks’ North American headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Volvo Trucks North America’s operations and products are guided by the company’s three core values: Quality, Safety and Environmental Care. The Volvo VNM, VNL, VNX, VHD and VAH trucks are assembled in the United States at the New River Valley Plant in Dublin, Virginia, while Volvo engines for North America are assembled in Hagerstown, Maryland. The New River Valley Plant is certified to ISO50001 energy standards. Both plants are certified to ISO14001 environmental and ISO9001 quality standards.
The Volvo Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. The Volvo Group, which employs about 110,000 people, has production facilities in 18 countries and sells its products in more than 190 markets. In 2013, the Volvo Group’s sales amounted to $41.5 billion. The Volvo Group is a publicly-held company headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo shares are listed on OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm and are traded OTC in the U.S. For more information, please visit http://www.volvogroup.com/ or http://www.volvogroup.mobi/ if you are using your mobile phone.
