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48-610: Following the 1980 model year, Chevrolet exited the heavy-truck segment; thereafter, alongside the Brigadier and General conventionals, the Astro was marketed solely under the GMC brand. In 1986, General Motors created the Volvo–GM joint venture with Volvo Trucks, leading to the discontinuation of the Astro in 1987. As of current production, GM has not marketed another Class 8 cabover truck (as

96-642: A 48-inch BBC (bumper to back of cab) length, the truck was produced with an all-aluminum fully tilting cab. Alongside a 702-cubic-inch GMC V12 gasoline engine, the truck was available with the Detroit Diesel 6-71, 6V71, 8V71, and 12V71 engines. Along with single-axle or tandem-axle configurations, the GMC Crackerbox was available with a sleeper cab . In the late 1960s, as American truck manufacturers introduced updated designs for cabover trucks, design work began on an all-new Class 8 cabover. Expanding

144-501: A Western Star. On 16 August 1986, General Motors announced the formation of a joint venture with AB Volvo, with the latter holding an 85% stake. Named Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corporation, Volvo would take responsibility for development, design, and production of heavy trucks of the joint venture, named WhiteGMC. All General Motors heavy product lines were discontinued (with the exception of the GMC Brigadier, ending production as

192-773: A WhiteGMC in 1988); the joint venture rebadged the White product line as WhiteGMCs while Autocars remained in production. In 1995, Volvo GM ended the use of the WhiteGMC name, with all non-Autocar models adopting the Volvo name. In 1997, Volvo AB purchased the rest of its stake in Volvo GM, renaming it Volvo Trucks North America. In 1996, Volvo released the Volvo VN-series , the first Volvo truck developed outside of White or General Motors. Designed specifically for North America,

240-599: A distinct chassis and ending the use of the cab from the C/K-series pickup truck . The 1966 H/J-series was designed with a model-specific 93 in (2,400 mm) bumper to back of cab (BBC) dimension cab and chassis; the medium-duty models received a slightly longer 96 in (2,400 mm) BBC cab. Alongside GMC V6 and Chevrolet 427 V8 gasoline engines, the H/J trucks were available with Cummins, Detroit Diesel, and Caterpillar diesel engines. The H/J-Series formed

288-494: A joint venture with General Motors in heavy-truck production, with Volvo holding an 85% stake. To reflect the 1980 acquisition of White Motor Company by Volvo, the products of Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corporation were marketed under the combined WhiteGMC product nomenclature. While the slow-selling GMC General and Astro were discontinued, Volvo GM initially continued production of the Brigadier. In mid-1988, Volvo GM re-released

336-625: A military-related nomenclature, with the H/J series becoming the Brigadier, joining the General and TopKick (a slang term). GMC introduced the Brigadier in a 9500 series; an 8000 series was introduced for 1979. Chevrolet offered the Bruin in 70, 80, and 90-series. While tilting-hood examples are nearly identical between brands, butterfly-hood versions are distinguished by their headlight configurations (Bruins have two headlights; Brigadiers have four ). The Chevrolet Bruin and GMC Brigadier carried over

384-647: A one-piece or a two-piece windshield. The Chevrolet 427 gasoline V8 would be the standard engine for the Bruin/Brigadier. In 1982, the Brigadier became powered exclusively by diesel engines. Alongside the Detroit Diesel 6V53 , 6V71, 6-71, 8V71 , and 6V92 , the Caterpillar 3208 were used alongside the Cummins NTC diesels. In 1984, the Cummins L10 was introduced as an option. Following

432-502: A plant for trailers and a third plant for coaches. Eventually, Volvo lost the tender, which was in the hands of Scania. Volvo is currently focusing on such alternative fuels such as HVO , (Bio-) DME , LNG and methane . As a part of adapting to the new European Union Euro 6 engine environment requirements, Volvo Trucks renewed their truck range in 2012 and 2013. The biggest launch was the new Volvo FH in September 2012 The rest of

480-584: A raised-roof variant of the Integral Sleeper. In 1987, the White 'Aero' truck was introduced, adopting a lowered hoodline, composite headlamps (shared with the Volvo 240 ), and a flush-mounted grille. In 1988, the WG was introduced, marking the return of a short-hood conventional. The Autocar DK severe-duty line was launched in 1983 and supplemented by the widely admired Autocar AT64F long-haul tractor. In 1988,

528-489: A range of 600 miles, compared to 275 miles for the existing VNR trucks. In September 2024, Volvo Trucks announced a long-range variant of its FH Electric truck, capable of covering up to 600 km on a single charge. It is expected to arrive on the market in the second half of 2025. AB Volvo struck a deal in August 2021 to buy a heavy duty truck subsidiary of Jiangling Motors Corp (JMC) for about $ 125.7 million to make trucks in

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576-478: Is a truck manufacturing division of Volvo based in Gothenburg , Sweden . Volvo Trucks was a separate company within Volvo. The Volvo Group was reorganised on 1 January 2012 and as a part of the process, Volvo Trucks ceased to be a separate company and was instead incorporated into Volvo Group Trucks along Volvo's other truck operations, as Renault Trucks and Mack Trucks . The first Volvo truck rolled off

624-552: The GMC Truck & Coach Pontiac Central Assembly facility in Pontiac, Michigan . From 1978 to 1980, Chevrolet marketed the Brigadier as the nearly identical Chevrolet Bruin. Following the launch of Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corporation, the Brigadier was marketed under the combined WhiteGMC branding through the 1989 model year. In 1966, General Motors split its heavy-duty trucks further apart from medium-duty models, giving them

672-701: The 1981 acquisition, Volvo upgraded the designs of White and Autocar product lines. In 1982, the White Integral Sleeper was introduced, joining the sleeper and passenger cab seamlessly. In 1983, the Road Boss was replaced by the White Conventional; while retaining the same cab, the hoodline was lowered with a redesigned grille. In 1985, the Integral Tall Sleeper was developed (the "Globetrotter" sleeper of America) as

720-685: The Astro/Titan were marketed exclusively with diesel engines. The base engine was the Detroit Diesel 6-71N, with the Detroit 8V71 and Cummins N-Series diesel engines as options. In 1972, the Detroit 12V71 became available as an option; though rarely ordered, the V12 engine would remain through 1978. Although Detroit Diesel had developed a gas-turbine version of the GMC Astro in the early 1970s, fuel-economy concerns would keep it out of production. In 1977,

768-539: The Autocar trademark was sold in 2001 to Grand Vehicle Works LLC, a Chicago-based private holding company that owned body manufacturer Union City Body Company (founded in 1898) and Workhorse Custom Chassis . Shortly before Autocar was acquired by GVW Group, Autocar conventionals were retired. In 2000, Volvo introduced the VHD severe-service conventional, largely as a replacement for Autocar conventional vehicles. While using

816-522: The Brigadier as a WhiteGMC (the only GMC truck produced under the joint venture). Along with revisions to the badging, a sloped hood became an option (sharing its grille with the GMC TopKick). The WhiteGMC Brigadier was produced through the end of the 1989 model year, marking the retirement of the GM H/J chassis after 23 years. For WhiteGMC, the role of the short-hood Class 8 conventional was adopted by

864-541: The Chevrolet division, leading to the cancellation of the Chevrolet Bruin, Bison, and Titan. A major factor leading to the cancellation was lack of support for heavy-duty trucks by Chevrolet dealers. In contrast to other GM brands, a key requirement of GMC franchisees of the time was the ability to sell and service the entire GMC product line. In addition to light trucks, this meant a potential GMC franchise needed

912-517: The Crackerbox, the cab of the Astro was lengthened nearly six inches into a 54-inch BBC length with two sleeper cab configurations available. In what would be a distinguishing feature of the vehicle, the Astro/Titan was produced with a wraparound dashboard; the speedometer and tachometer were placed directly in the line of sight of the driver while most secondary gauges were placed off to the side, based on their level of use. In stark contrast to

960-584: The Cummins KT450 and Caterpillar 3406 became options; the larger engines required the addition of a larger radiator. In 1979, the 6-71 was replaced by the 6V92, making all available Detroit Diesel engines V-type engines; the 6V71 was discontinued after 1980. Following the launch of the cabover product line in 1969, the GMC Astro quickly exceeded the Chevrolet Titan in sales and market share. In 1981, General Motors ended sales of heavy trucks by

1008-748: The DK was replaced by the Autocar ACL and ACM models. While the AC-series trucks were tough and reliable, they incorporated a number of Volvo components and, for some Autocar loyalists, marked a dilution of the Autocar brand. In 1986, Volvo commenced sales of trucks under its own brand in North America, introducing the FE-series low-cab COEs. While Western Star was spun off in 1981, its cabover model line continued to be produced by White and rebadged as

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1056-465: The GMC product line in its entirety. In addition to light trucks, this meant a potential GMC franchise needed the ability to support medium-duty trucks, heavy-duty commercial trucks, P-chassis, the GMC Motorhome, and all bus chassis. For a GMC dealership, this requirement meant dedicating profitable space that would have otherwise gone to selling passenger cars. In 1986, Volvo AB entered into

1104-418: The H/J 9500 cab introduced in 1966, but with a number of changes. Replacing the removable steel hood is a fully tilting fiberglass hood with a larger rectangular grille; the larger hood features a redesigned radiator, featuring better engine cooling. For durability, the previous-generation center-hinged "butterfly" hood remains available. While produced with an optional cab airfoil, the cab is sold with either

1152-723: The H/J-series heavy-duty conventionals, the Brigadier was produced from 1978 to late 1989, as a WhiteGMC for the last year and a half. Slotted between the largest medium-duty C/K trucks and the GMC General, the Brigadier was a Class 7-8 short-hood conventional similar to the Ford L-Series and Mack Model R . Configured in both straight truck and semi-tractor layouts, the Brigadier saw use in short-haul, vocational, and severe-service applications. All examples were assembled alongside medium-duty GM trucks and GM RTS buses at

1200-577: The H6500 instead of the medium-duty Chevrolet C60 (in 1971, GMC would return to a medium-duty chassis). In the mid-1970s, General Motors began shifting away from its alphanumeric nomenclature for truck names. While still using the H/J name internally, the redesign brought new names to the vehicles. Chevrolet rebranded the H/J series as the Chevrolet Bruin, adopting a range of "frontier" nameplates for its truck range (Bison, Bruin, Kodiak, Blazer, Silverado, Scottsdale, Cheyenne). For its heavy trucks, GMC adopted

1248-490: The North American market. The Volvo Trucks North America Dublin plant began manufacturing a battery-powered VNR Electric truck model starting in early 2021. It was the largest Volvo truck plant in the world, employing close to 3,000 people building multiple models of heavy-duty trucks. On 20 June 2022, Volvo announced that "in the second part of this decade" it would begin making trucks using hydrogen fuel cells with

1296-460: The VN was more aerodynamic than its WIA predecessor. The previous-generation WG remained in production, with Autocar dropped as a separate brand name, becoming a sub-model of Volvo severe-service trucks. On 25 April 2000, AB Volvo acquired Renault Véhicules Industriels through a merger, making it the owner of Mack Trucks . Following the merger, Volvo became the largest European truck manufacturer and

1344-756: The WG series, slotted below the WIL/WCL (replacing the GMC General); all WhiteGMC conventionals were evolutions of the White Road Boss series. For 1990, General Motors redesigned its medium-duty C/K trucks for the first time since 1973, adopting the Chevrolet Kodiak and GMC TopKick branding for the model lines. In 1997, the 8500-series TopKick was introduced, marking the first Class 8 truck produced by GM since 1989. Volvo Trucks Volvo Trucks ( Swedish : Volvo Lastvagnar )

1392-634: The White GMC and Western Star brands (the WhiteGMC WH and Western Star Cabover; both versions of the White Road Commander II ), the GMC Astro was never directly replaced by Volvo GM, Volvo, or General Motors. GMC Brigadier The GMC Brigadier (also known as Chevrolet Bruin ) is a series of heavy-duty (Class 7-8) trucks that were assembled by the GMC Truck and Coach Division of General Motors . The second generation of

1440-434: The ability to support medium-duty trucks, heavy-duty commercial trucks, the GMC motorhome, P-chassis, and school bus chassis. For a typical dealership, this meant dedicating profitable space that would have otherwise gone to selling passenger cars. In 1986, Volvo AB entered into a joint venture with General Motors in heavy-truck production, with Volvo taking an 85% stake. Having already acquired White Motor Company in 1980,

1488-762: The acquisition, White's products included the White Road Boss conventional, the White Road Commander 2 (COE), the Road Xpeditor 2 (low-COE), the Autocar A-series (tractors with extensive use of aluminium), Autocar DC-series (heavy-duty/severe service), the Autocar Construcktor 2 (heavy-duty/severe-service with a White cab), and Western Star conventional/COE trucks. White also operated plants in Utah, Ohio, and Virginia. Following

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1536-581: The assets of White Trucks , forming Volvo White Truck Corporation in Greensboro, North Carolina . As part of the acquisition, Volvo acquired the White, Autocar , and the dormant Sterling brands; the Canadian Western Star truck brand was spun off into an independent company. Alongside the truck assets of White, Volvo acquired a nationwide distribution network (as White had served as the distributor of Freightliner until 1977). Prior to

1584-586: The basis of the C(later N)/M-series trucks, which offered a longer 114–115 in (2,900–2,900 mm) BBC cab; the extra length was in front of the firewall to accommodate larger diesel engines. In 1977, the N/M-series was replaced by the Class 8 Chevrolet Bison/GMC General semitractor. From 1966 to 1970, GMC would use a separate conventional school bus chassis from Chevrolet, basing it on

1632-449: The boxy Crackerbox, the exterior of the Astro/Titan featured rounded body corners and wraparound windshield glass. In 1975, GMC introduced a Dragfoiler roof spoiler as an option. In an option that became standard a year later, in 1979, GMC and Chevrolet offered the SS (Special Series) package. Featuring a (much) larger radiator grille, improvements to exterior and interior trim, the SS package

1680-709: The cab of the VN, the VHD used a heavier-duty chassis and suspension, along with sealed-beam headlamps. In 2002, the second-generation VN, the VNL, was introduced. In 2009, Volvo began to relocate the operations of its Mack Trucks subsidiary to Greensboro , where the North American operations of Volvo Trucks have been headquartered. Today, Volvo produces Class 8 Volvo trucks at its Dublin, Virginia plant and Class 8 Mack truck models in Macungie, Pennsylvania . Affiliate Volvo Powertrain produces engines and transmissions at its Hagerstown, Maryland , facility, for use exclusively in

1728-800: The central town of Skövde . Among some smaller facilities, Volvo has assembly plants in Sweden (Gothenburg – also the Head Office), Belgium, USA, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, China and India. Some of the smaller factories are jointly owned. Its main parts distribution centre is located in Ghent, Belgium. The sales side, with their corresponding offices and dealers, is split into seven sales areas – Latin America, North America, Europe North, Europe South, Africa/Middle East, and Asia/Oceania. Plants where Volvo trucks are manufactured: In 1981, AB Volvo acquired

1776-415: The company induced FM7 tippers for construction and mining segment which were well received. In 2002 company introduced FH and FM lineup for the region in various configurations and specifications. Later in 2008 Volvo Group and Eicher motors an Indian automotive group known for producing commercial vehicles and motorcycles came together to form a new company VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV) with 50% share in

1824-543: The configuration has effectively ended production in North America). Throughout the entire production run, the trucks were assembled in Pontiac, Michigan by the Pontiac Central Assembly facility. In 1959, GMC introduced its Class 8 cabover trucks, replacing the previous " Cannonball " fixed-cab cabovers. Distinguished by its boxy appearance, it earned the nickname "Crackerbox." Available in

1872-566: The first truck was already on the drawing table. In early 1928, the LV series 1 was presented to the public. Though by modern standards it was merely a truck, it was an immediate success and 500 units were sold before the summer. It had a 2.0 L 4-cylinder engine rated at 28 hp (21 kW). Volvo cabs are manufactured in the north of Sweden in Umeå and in Ghent , Belgium , while the engines are made in

1920-600: The first, in 1959 would be carried out in partnership with the local company Conarg. The truck production was a failure, but some models of motor graders with Volvo engine was made by Conarg (under licence of Bolinder Munktell). The second, in 1972, Volvo Sudamericana SACI elevated to the consideration of the highest authority of the Ministry of Industry and Mining its project of installation of an industrial complex, consisting of an automotive terminal plant for chassis of heavy trucks with cab and chassis for long-distance buses;

1968-428: The joint venture would do business as Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corporation, selling trucks under the combined WhiteGMC product badge. Under the joint venture, GMC trucks were phased out in favor of White-designed Volvo GM products. The GMC Astro ceased production after the 1987 model year (coincidentally, two years after Chevrolet launched a van with the same name ). Although Volvo GM would continue sales of COE trucks under

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2016-557: The launch of the product line, the GMC Brigadier quickly overtook the Chevrolet Bruin in sales and market share. After the 1980 model year, General Motors ended sales of heavy trucks by the Chevrolet Division, leading to the cancellation of the Chevrolet Bruin, Bison, and Titan. A major factor leading to the cancellation was lack of product support by Chevrolet dealers. In contrast to Chevrolet (and other General Motors brands), GMC required all franchisees to sell and service

2064-471: The newly formed company. All future offering of volvo trucks came under the wing of VECV since then. Today's volvo trucks lineup consist of FM available in tipper , tractor truck , ballast tractor variants and FMX available in tipper variant only. Volvo Trucks are exported to and sold by more than 1800 dealers in more than 75 countries. Volvo tried to settle in Argentina on two different occasions:

2112-436: The product line to the Chevrolet brand, the replacement for the GMC Crackerbox sought to expand interior space, visibility, and driver ergonomics. For the 1969 model year, the GMC Crackerbox was replaced by the GMC Astro, while the Chevrolet Titan was unveiled for the 1970 model year. The GMC Astro and Chevrolet Titan are Class 8 cabover-engine (COE) trucks, sold in both single and tandem rear axle configurations. In contrast to

2160-459: The production lines in 1928, and in 2016 Volvo Trucks employed more than 52,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden, Volvo manufactures and assembles its trucks in eight wholly owned assembly plants and nine factories owned by local interests. Volvo Trucks produces and sells over 190,000 units annually. When Volvo manufactured its first automobiles in 1927,

2208-527: The second-largest truck manufacturer in the world. To secure approval of the merger (by avoiding potential antitrust issues), Volvo agreed to divest its low-cabover range (known as the Xpeditor ); alongside the Mack MR/LE, the two vehicles held a predominant share of the refuse market. In 2007, Volvo re-entered the segment through its purchase of UD Nissan Diesel . Alongside the Xpeditor product range,

2256-695: The world's biggest vehicle market. The acquired business includes a manufacturing site in China's northern city of Taiyuan . Volvo aims to start production of its new heavy duty Volvo FH, Volvo FM and Volvo FMX trucks there at the end of 2022. Volvo trucks set foot in Indian HCV market as a wholly owned subsidiary of Volvo Group with its FH12 tractor truck also the first ever volvo truck produced in India at Hoskote plant in Karnataka state of India. Later on

2304-530: Was meant to market the Astro/Titan towards owner-operators . In 1983, the Aero Astro option package was released, largely as an effort to improve fuel economy. Along with the Dragfoiler roof spoiler, the option package included body extension panels between the cab and trailer, an air dam below an extended bumper and an optimized radiator grille. In a major change from precedent, when introduced in 1969,

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