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4 I tu, SP – Volvo is aiming at the top spot in the heavy segment, a position taken in the last couple of years by rival Mercedes-Benz. To this end, it discarded deeper changes in the heavy model FH, its entry in this segment of the market, and joins the fraywith a vehicle that has gone through specific alterations in the powertrain to address diesel consumption. This choice saved the company time and it was made possible because the FH, in its present form, is the top-selling model in its category in the country. Tuesday 16, the company announced the new configuration of the truck developed for countries where the Euro 5 is the norm in place concerning emissions. A software that electronically calculates the required fuel consumption so as to use only the necessary fuel to overcome upward or downward gradients was applied. During bench and field tests, a reduction of as much as 10% in consumption was observed. To Alcides Cavalcanti, commercial director for trucks, the core of the competition by the main players in the heavy category resides in the field of energetic efficiency. “Volvo’s current cabin is relatively new; we still have room to improve its technical characteristics. However, we notice that fleet owners who went to the marketplace in search of a renewal of their fleets define the purchase based on fuel consumption. Taking it from there, we decided to develop new technology and act faster on the changes demanded by the client”. The fast response indicated by the exec comes at a moment when Scania, one leg of the stool that dominates sales of the heavy segment, is ripening in the market its new generation of trucks, introduced last year. Cavalcanti does not draw the comparison, but he believes that when events such as this one come up it is important to offer the fleet owners relevant alternatives: “The segment for heavy trucks is the fastest-growing one in the country as a result of the demand of the agribusiness. In a situation of fierce competitiveness, which coincides with fleet renovation, Volvo wants to be leader again TRUCKS By Bruno de Oliveira The company implements changes in the FH line to claim back leadership in the heavy segment