Volvo Trucks has supplied eight vehicles to Continental Tyres – four FM 460 6×2 tractor units and four FM 380 6×2 rigids – featuring an array of optional extras prioritising driver safety, comfort and overall operational performance.
Supplied by Rory Kelly, Transport Solutions Executive at Volvo Truck and Bus Centre South & East, the trucks represent the first Volvos to join Continental’s UK fleet and will be used to set a new standard within the customer’s business going forward with regard to vehicle specification.
Simon Sumner, Transport Operations Manager, Continental Tyres, says: “Though we’ve not run Volvos on the fleet before, we were already aware of their reputation. We really wanted to set a new benchmark with this latest fleet refresh and concluded that Volvo would be the best choice.
“The key aims w ere to take the driving experience to a new level versus the trucks these replaced and to make sure we were not just meeting but exceeding the industry standard in terms of safety in line with Continental’s mantra. With Volvo’s help, we’ve created a specification that delivers on both fronts.”
All eight vehicles – decked out in Continental’s distinctive livery – share many similarities, including a heated and suspended driver’s seat. The trucks all feature a Drive++ package too, which includes an adjustable steering wheel, dual armrests on both driver and passenger seats, and electrically controlled air conditioning with a carbon filter and sun, mist, and air
quality sensors.
Drivers can make use of a Volvo Media package with navigation, adding a chrome- surrounded 12-inch dynamic instrument cluster, a secondary colour display and DAB radio.
Volvo’s one person Living+ package sees additional storage space, a cab parking heater and a bottle holder included on all eight trucks, while the rigids also feature a 28-litre fridge.
“The nature of our work does place a physical demand on our drivers beyond just operating the vehicles themselves,” adds Sumner. “That is a key reason why we’ve taken great care to build a specification that maximises their comfort and creates a better working environment.”
Safety is also central to the vehicles’ build, with all eight models equipped with Driver Alert Support and Side Collision Avoidance Support systems, as well as Forward Collision Warning with advanced emergency braking and Lane Departure Warning functionality.
These additions are complemented by Visibility+ packages, adding rain-sensing windscreen wipers and LED headlights that adjust automatically according to ambient light conditions to grant drivers a clear view of their surroundings.
Despite their similarities, the vehicles do deploy different powertrains – though both utilise Euro VI Step E engines the tractor units generate 460 hp and a peak torque of 2,300 Nm compared to the rigids’ 380 hp and 1,800 Nm. All are equipped with Volvo’s I-Shift automated gearbox, which constantly evaluates information such as speed, weight, road grade and torque demand to perfectly time each gear shift.
The rigids are mounted with bespoke bodywork built by Bevan Motor Bodies, including specially designed load restraints and non-slip flooring to protect products during transit and boost safety during loading and unloading. These additional design features also increase the bodies’ structural integrity and will deliver long-term benefits in terms of damage reduction and asset uptime.
All eight trucks are covered by a five-year Volvo Gold Contract which delivers full cost control, worry-free ownership, and maximum uptime.
“Our drivers are already singing these trucks’ praises, and the service we’ve received from Volvo to date has been superb on all fronts too,” concludes Sumner. “Rory’s expertise immediately set us at ease and installed a great level of confidence in Volvo as a whole.”
Seven of the new trucks will operate from Continental’s Distribution Centre in Rugby, while one of the Volvo FM rigidswill be based in Wigan. Each clocking up to 120,000km annually, the vehicles will be tasked with delivering Continental’s product range to its customers, supporting the business’ Conti360 fleet network, and also collecting used tyres to bring them back to the customer’s Retreading Plant in Ivybridge.
