Volvo Buses

UNITED KINGDOM & IRELAND

New initiatives further reinforce Volvo customer support proposition

Volvo Bus have made a number of announcements at this week’s Euro Bus Expo Show which demonstrate their on-going commitment to provide the best customer support proposition for Volvo operators. These include the introduction of a new factory-renovated engine scheme, an engine emission upgrade offer for certain Volvo Double Deck buses, further enhancements to Volvo Action Service and Volvo’s Driver CPC training programme.

Factory Renovated engines

The Volvo Factory Renovated (FR) engine is a new addition to the Volvo Parts exchange programme, providing a useful retrofit option for Volvo vehicles more than five years old.

Renovation of the engines is performed by specialist technicians, to stringent Volvo standards, at the dedicated Volvo Parts Remanufacturing Centre in Flen in Sweden. Under the process, each engine is stripped down and all parts disassembled, cleaned and inspected, identifying those which can be re-used.

Wherever possible, components are re-fitted and any which do not fulfil Volvo specifications and tolerances are replaced with remanufactured parts. Irrespective of condition, all safety related components are automatically replaced with new. The result is a reconditioned engine which is engineered and supported by the Volvo, upgraded to the latest safety and quality standards and tested to the original performance and emission levels.

The Volvo FR programme is available on Volvo B6, B7, B10M and Olympian models and all engines renovated under the programme come with a Two Year (or 200,000 mile) warranty is supplied and fitted by a Volvo dealer, or One Year/155,000 mile warrantly if fitted outside the Volvo dealer network.

“The Factory Renovated engine is now one of three options we can offer for engine replacement,” explained Chris Morris, Parts Development Manager.“The FR programme now complements the existing Volvo Exchange Engine Programme and mid life overhaul kits, giving exceptional choice to suit operational needs and budgets, all backed by the reassurance and warranty from Volvo.”

An example of a Volvo FR engine is on the stand at the show.

Engine Emissions Upgrade

For newer Euro 4 B9TL Double Deck buses Volvo can now offer an engine emission upgrade to Euro 5 compliance, at special inclusive prices, well ahead of the October 2009 deadline.

Operators will not only benefit from cleaner engines with NOx emissions reduced by a further 42%, the upgrade to Euro 5 Incentive will mean that vehicles qualify for the Government’s  Reduced Pollution Certificate (RPC) scheme, currently saving £335 per vehicle for each year of the vehicle’s active life.

This is a great opportunity to save money as well the environment. It can even be carried out on your premises by Volvo Frontline technicians, thereby minimising time off the road.

Volvo Action Service

Volvo Action Service (VAS), the round-the-clock, European-wide emergency service has seen some further developments, giving Volvo operators even more reason to feel in safe hands.

A new case management system has been employed to manage each incident or breakdown to minimise its impact on the operator’s business, whilst a new distinctive and high-visibility van livery has been introduced to ensure the safety of operators and dealer staff attending at the roadside.

“All VAS vans are now fitted with Volvo Dynafleet, enabling fast and efficient tracking to locate an operator’s vehicle, along with the latest Volvo diagnostic equipment assisting the vastly experienced technicians in providing the highest service levels” said Volvo Bus Customer Services Director Andy Kunze.

Volvo Driver CPC training

Launched to co-incide with the introduction of new legislation in September this year, the Volvo Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) accredited periodic training is already proving both popular and productive for drivers and fleet owners alike

The courses, held in the dedicated training centre in Volvo Group’s UK Headquarters in Warwick and taken by highly experienced trainers, are a mix of theory and practical elements, providing training which targets safer driving practices and improving fuel economy.

Currently four courses are on offer to cover Fuel Efficency and Economy, with different gearbox types but courses can also be tailored to incorporate additional operator specific training requirements.

Ian Downie, Product Director of Volvo Bus commented, “The objectives of Volvo Driver CPC training are to improve driver proficiency and job satisfaction and this has some positive benefits for their employers too”.

He points to an example on a recent course where improvements in fuel economy figures of between 0.5 – 1.5 mpg were recorded across the three vehicles driven by the delegates.

“Attending the course should pay for itself in terms of reduced vehicle downtime and fuel consumption, thereby improving productivity and profitability whilst at the same time further promoting road safety and environmental performance too,” added Ian Downie.

Speaking at the show, Volvo Customer Services Director Andy Kunze said, “The availability and quality of Volvo support has long been a reason why operators choose and stay loyal to the Volvo brand. These latest innovations, along with the continued development of our parts operation, our domestic and international service coverage and the ever popular Frontline Support programme, underlines a real and on-going commitment to provide the very best support possible for Volvo bus and coach operators.”

ENDS

4 November 2008

Photographs: A selection of images to accompany this and other show press releases is available for download at the media centre section of www.whenproductivitycounts.com

Notes for Editors

For further information onall aspects of the Volvo Driver CPC Training Programme, contact Samantha Worrall, Competence Development Projects Advisor, on telephone 01926 414677, or email sam.worrall@volvo.com