Volvo Trucks marks 30 years of iconic Volvo FH truck model, its best-selling truck ever

Staff Report,

7 Sept 2023

Swedish giant’s flagship completes three decades full of trucking innovation since 1993 launch with 1.4 million units sold covering 80 global markets

Volvo Trucks’ flagship Volvo FH turned 30 this month, with the global truck-giant celebrating nearly 1.4 million units of the iconic model sold, the best-selling truck ever in Volvo model range.

Announcing the landmark, Volvo Trucks said the 30th anniversary of the introduction of the FH comes with the model having established a winning track record in the industry globally. The Volvo FH is one of the industry's most successful models ever and is sold in around 80 markets all over the world. It has been characterised from the beginning by its distinctive exterior and interior design, driver comfort and technically advanced efficiency and safety solutions.

The Swedish truck giant said that when it was launched in 1993, new from the wheels up and offering excellent driveability and fuel efficiency, the Volvo FH quickly came to represent a completely new standard in truck driving. Thirty years later, the model is truly iconic.

Roger Alm, President of Volvo Trucks, said: “Volvo FH is the perfect representation of a customer focused mindset and a model that has been pushing the boundaries for 30 years. In all crucial areas like driver comfort, fuel efficiency, safety and productivity, we have never stopped improving this truck. I’m very proud that today our customers can order the Volvo FH as electric, gas-powered and diesel.”

The Volvo FH has been and remains an innovation leader, said the company. It was launched with a totally new chassis, using a design that facilitated flexible solutions for different transport applications. The ground-breaking driveline had a completely new 12-litre engine (16-litre for the Volvo FH16) and the all-new cab offered outstanding aerodynamics and driver comfort.

The innovations have continued through the years, along with Volvo’s values of safety, quality and care for the environment as the starting point. Innovation milestones over the past three decades include the driver’s airbag, the automated gearbox solution I-Shift and Volvo Dynamic Steering, which provides effortless steering and great manoeuvrability.

On the exterior design side, the rear-view mirrors with a unique slim design that gives better direct vision for the driver, and the V shaped headlamps offering both improved visibility and comfort for the driver while giving the truck its distinctive appearance, are two examples of how Volvo technology and design are used to add valuable benefits for the driver.

Ylva Dalerstedt, Long Haul Segment Manager at Volvo Trucks, said: “The first-generation Volvo FH was a game changer that totally transformed the concept of a modern truck. Since then, we have continued to set new standards in trucking and launched five further generations of this truck. Our success formula has been to make use of the very latest technology in a way that always adds clear benefits for our customers and drivers. As proof of our successful continuous improvement efforts and constant evolution, I’m very proud that Volvo FH is the only truck that has been selected ‘International Truck of the Year’ three times.”