Thame-based West Coast Haulage is taking delivery of 60 Volvo FMX tippers in one of
the largest deals for the new model to-date, replacing older trucks previously supplied by
a rival manufacturer in the 100-strong fleet.

The new Volvo FMX is built for the toughest conditions and most demanding assignments. It
has also been designed to give a superior combination of agility, visibility and durability,
keeping the driver safe and comfortable. This order was secured by Tim Atkins, Sales Manager at Volvo Truck and Bus Centre South
& East, with each of the new FMX tippers featuring Volvo’s distinctive new digital dashboard,
which includes a dynamic 12-inch high-resolution instrument display with separate nine-inch
side display for infotainment, navigation support, transport information and camera
monitoring. “We have had Volvos in the fleet previously, and we’ve come back to the brand because we
like their simple and user-friendly design. We also suffered from a lot of electrical faults with
the previous brand of truck we were running, so we didn’t want to replace like-for-like,” says
David Sexton, Director at West Coast Haulage. “We’ve always been happy with Volvo products, plus the back-up service we have received
from the dealer network is excellent. As West Coast Haulage is a truly nationwide company,
having access to a first-class network and reliable trucks is of particular importance to us.” The new 32-tonne FMX tippers have been mounted with Thompson steel tipper bodywork and feature a 275-litre plastic diesel tank between the front axles. Additionally, they have
been specified with a heavy-duty front bumper, strong front towing eye mounted directly to
the chassis and a guard plate to provide added protection to the cooling pipes and oil sump
when operating off-road. Volvo’s distinctive new V-shaped LED headlights also add the
perfect blend of style and safety. Powered by a 12.8 litre Euro-6 diesel engine, producing up to 420 hp and 2,100 Nm of
torque, they are driven through Volvo’s proven I-Shift automated 12-speed transmission, with
enhanced software for construction and off-road applications.

“We specialise in working on large highways and infrastructure projects, and it’s intensive
work with our drivers spending a lot of time in the cab, so comfort and convenience is
important to them,” adds Sexton. “The updated FMX day cab with a fixed rear window is a
big step forward on the old model, and the drivers are very happy with the upgrades – and in
particular with the more reactive steering.” West Coast Haulage typically operates its trucks six days a week. Expected to cover between
50,000 – 80,000km a year, the new vehicles have been taken on a three-year hire purchase
agreement through Volvo Financial Services, supported by a Volvo Gold Contract to
guarantee maximum uptime and a three-year subscription to Volvo Connect, the
manufacturer’s telematics system. Established in 1997, West Coast Haulage has its main operating centre in Thame,
Oxfordshire, and six satellite operating centres, spread across the UK.