Automotive company Volvo Trucks South Africa has confirmed it will start local serial production of Euro 6 FH long-haul trucks in the first quarter of next year.

The company first introduced Euro 6 FH trucks to the local market in April, but has upgraded its semi-knocked down assembly facility, in Durban, to produce these low-emission and highly fuel efficient heavy-duty vehicles locally at higher volumes.

The Euro 6 technology significantly reduces harmful pollutants such as nitric oxide in diesel-driven vehicles.

The Volvo Euro 6 trucks incorporate AdBlue technology that involves a urea solution to convert nitrogen oxide into nitrogen gas or steam in the exhaust system. The trucks also have advanced emission control systems such as selective catalytic reduction and diesel particulate filters.

In addition to better fuel efficiency and lower emissions, the Volvo Euro 6 engines also offer lower operating costs through longer maintenance intervals and more uptime, as well as improved safety and comfort for drivers.

Some of the recent upgrades to Volvo Trucks South Africa’s plant include the addition of four skylifts that will be operational during the fourth quarter, which offer increased manoeuvrability and precise positioning to improve safety, efficiency and accessibility on the assembly line and in repair shops.

Volvo Trucks South Africa currently offers its FH Globetrotter and facelifted FH Aero Globetrotter models in Euro 3, 5 and 6 variants in the local market, as well as six electric truck models.

Volvo Trucks South Africa sustainable solutions senior manager Eric Parry confirms the company will introduce a new electric FH truck model, with a range of 600 km, to the local market next year. This truck will help cater for longer distances, since electric trucks are typically more suited to inter-regional operations.

Parry says the company is focused on collaborating with customers to achieve mutual success, including environmental care and operating sustainably.

To help reduce breakdowns and increase uptime on South Africa’s roads, particularly as 82.4% of the country’s payload transportation happens on road and the balance on rail, Volvo Trucks South Africa offers uptime monitoring systems as a predictive maintenance intervention for customers.

This service monitors air filters, oil use according to mileage, clutch wear, brake pads and APM dryer cartridges. Volvo Trucks South Africa estimates to have saved 432 breakdowns between January and July as a result of uptime monitoring.

The company will expand its uptime monitoring service to include electric truck components such as batteries in due course.