Linfox Logistics executive chairman Peter Fox (rear), VGA president and CEO Martin Merrick (left), and assistant minister for road safety and freight transport Scott Buchholz.

The first locally manufactured Euro 6 Volvo FM prime movers have started to roll off the Volvo Group Australia Wacol assembly line this month.

To mark the event, Linfox Logistics executive chairman Peter Fox, VGA president and CEO Martin Merrick, and assistant minister for road safety and freight transport Scott Buchholz were present to see the first of a 100-plus truck order emerge from the end of the line.

“Here we have three iconic brands working together, Volvo Trucks, Linfox and Australian Made,” says Merrick. “We are working together to drive a safer, cleaner, more productive transport industry here in this country. Manufacturing our products in Australia makes us strong, while buying Australian Made promotes success in our community. And now we are building our cleanest, safest trucks here in this country.”

These first Volvo FM prime movers cover both 11- and 13-litre engine capacities as well as horsepower ratings from 343 to 373kW (460 to 500hp). The trucks are also fitted with a full complement of active and passive safety equipment, as well as meeting criteria of the stringent Swedish BOF10 crash test.

“Volvo‘s new Australian-made Euro 6 fleet combines local manufacturing expertise with our key commitments at Linfox – to act sustainably and lead in safety and compliance,” says Fox.

“Our investment in sustainable vehicles has helped to significantly reduce our emissions over the past several years. Linfox and Volvo share a longstanding commitment to safe, efficient fleets that minimise our impact on the environment and the communities in which we operate.”

(From left) Linfox Logistics executive chairman Peter Fox, assistant minister for road safety and freight transport Scott Buchholz, and VGA president and CEO Martin Merrick.

In regard to local manufacturing, Buchholz was effusive in his support of the Volvo Group Australia facility and the employees and local suppliers it supports. “It is great to see three iconic brands here, Volvo, Linfox and most importantly the Australian Made brand,” says Buchholz. 

“You’ll hear some people say manufacturing in Australia is dead. I say you only need to ask the employees here at this Wacol site, who I might add are building these trucks of tomorrow, about that. These employees are building the trucks of tomorrow that will deliver the essential goods and services our communities need.

“It is great to see the next generation of Euro 6 vehicles, rolling out of the Volvo plant and we look forward to Volvo Group Australia‘s continuing investment in heavy vehicle manufacturing in Australia.”