Volvo targets growing demand for construction trucks with new FM 380 8x4

If the ongoing boom in the medium and heavy commercial vehicle (M&HCV) segment in India is any indication, then sustained demand for CV operators in this segment is here to stay.

A sizeable portion of the demand for heavy trucks is coming from the infrastructure sector, what with the sizeable government spend in road road construction projects, irrigation projects and hydel projects, while private operators are buying tippers for duty in stone, marble and granite quarries. To tap the growing potential in this segment, Volvo Trucks has launched the FM380 8x4 construction truck in India.

In the construction segments, customers typically want a truck which can deliver the lowest cost per tonne, carry more loads per trip and offer the highest productivity and uptime. Volvo Trucks says the new FM380 accomplishes all of these and more by bringing industry-leading technology to its Indian customers.

Speaking on the new truck, Vinod Aggarwal, managing director and CEO, VE Commercial Vehicles, said: "Customers now are more conscious about the cost per tonne and they care more about the total cost of the ownership over its lifecycle. With increased investments in infrastructure projects, there are more opportunities for Volvo trucks in India as customers are willing to opt for highly productive and efficient transport solutions. That is important for us at Volvo Trucks; all our offerings emerge from customer needs and end with their satisfaction with a focus on customers' success."

"The world is changing at an ever-faster pace but the need for safety and efficiency will never change. The demand for transport will grow and certainly in new forms and under different conditions. We will have to take our innovative powers and safety philosophy to new levels,” he said.

Highlights of the FM 380 8x4
The Volvo FM 380 8x4  is claimed to be the most efficient and flexible solution for the unique demands of the construction sector. The company says the aerodynamically designed FM380 is a safe and efficient truck, with low repair and maintenance costs and high body-mounting ability. 

The FM 380 8x4 offers the largest capacity body in the segment delivering the highest productivity, a very powerful and technologically advanced engine and is the only model in its segment to have an automated manual transmission - Volvo's superior l-Shift technology - delivering higher fuel efficiency, lower maintenance and better driver comfort. The truck cabin also comes equipped with a host of safety and comfort features.

Volvo says the high-capacity tipper is a best-in-class solution when it comes to executing large construction projects in tough operating conditions. It facilitates swift, efficient transportation of large loads, without getting bogged down.

Dinakar B, senior vice-president, Sales, Marketing & Aftermarket, Volvo Trucks India, said, "With the launch of the FM380 8x4 and the first of its kind FMX 460 8x4 19.5 Cu.M granite body, we are geared to raise the current standards of productivity, efficiency and reliability in the construction segment to support our customers in achieving higher operational efficiency and savings with timely delivery of projects."

Volvo Trucks, which has completed nearly 20 years in India, caters to the premium heavy duty special applications truck segment. The company has an over 80 percent market share in this segment, which is a little less than 2,000 trucks a year.