Volvo Trucks signs major order with Swift Transportation

Volvo Trucks North America, Inc. announced the largest order the company has ever received for its Volvo VN tractors. The 4,000-unit order, an initial two-year agreement with a third-year option to supply Swift Transportation Co., Inc., Phoenix, AZ, means Volvo will now be the major supplier of highway tractors to Swift, the largest publicly-held truckload carrier in the United States. The initial units in the order will be produced in the first quarter of 2004. Swift ordered Volvo VNs in early 2003 to evaluate them in its fleet operations.Volvo will supply Swift with VN670 tractors equipped with Cummins ISX and Volvo D12 engines, all to have electronic idle management systems. The VN670 has a 66-inch integral sleeper, and is Volvo's best-selling model. "This is continuing evidence of how the top fleets in the very demanding truckload market are beginning to accept the new Volvo VN as their preferred tractor," said Scott Kress, Volvo Trucks senior vice president - sales and marketing. "But just as important is the investment Volvo continues to make to enhance and strengthen its dealer network and customer support capabilities. We are committed to providing the products and services customers such as Swift require." "It has been over a decade since we changed our preferred supplier of power units," stated Jerry Moyes, chairman, president and CEO of Swift. "This brings us full circle to1986, when Volvo was our prime supplier. Times have definitely changed. The last order with Volvo in 1986 was for 60 units, today's order is for over 4,000."Volvo Trucks North America assembles its Volvo VN and VHD trucks in the United States, at the New River Valley Plant in Dublin, Virginia.