Capital Equipment News

44 / 48

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS MARCH 2016 42
Volvo Trucks was recently announced
as the as an official supplier of trucks
and haulage to the McLaren-Honda
Formula 1 team. The partnership will see
McLaren-Honda take delivery of a brand
new fleet of 24 state-of-the-art Volvo FH
Series trucks for the duration of the four-
year agreement to provide essential trans-
port solutions and logistics support for both
race team and hospitality operations.
The McLaren-Honda team will campaign
the 2016 FIA Formula 1 World Champion-
ship with arguably the best driver pairing
in the sport: world champions Fernando
Alonso and Jenson Button. They will drive
the McLaren-Honda MP4-31. The 24 Vol-
vo FH 13-litre, 540hp trucks will comprise
of three different specifications, including
standard height, extra low, and top of the
range, to cater for the ever-changing logis-
tical requirements of the team at grand prix
locations all over Europe.
The technology used on the exclusive flag-
ship truck is inspired by the racing world,
and is the first time that a heavy goods
vehicle has used its celebrated I-Shift au-
tomated gearbox matched to the new Dual
Clutch, offering unrivalled driveability in
its class. The vehicle also features inde-
pendent suspension using rack and pinion
steering - features which have previously
only been available in passenger cars.
McLaren-Honda will benefit from transport
solutions that offer fuel-efficient, torque-
strong performance, responsive engines
and comfortable cabs. The Volvo FH Series
boasts the latest I-See gradient technology
that can save fuel, and engines that meet
the Euro-6 emissions standard, therefore
reducing environmental impact in line with
the team’s status as the only Formula 1
operation to be awarded the FIA Institute’s
Environmental Award for the Achievement
of Excellence.
The FH Series is also the world’s safest
Volvo product, equipped with unique safety
systems including the strongest-ever Volvo
cab, driver support systems, redesigned
aerodynamic mirrors, improved instrument
display and dynamic headlights.
Jonathan Neale, Chief Operating Officer of
McLaren Technology Group, said: “As well
as looking for on-track efficiencies, as part
of McLaren’s sustainability commitments
we also look for improvements off it too.
That’s why we’re very proud to partner with
such a prestigious brand as Volvo Trucks,
who are renowned for their innovative and
high-performance heavy goods transport
solutions.”
“Away from the racing circuit, managing
freight and logistics for a Formula 1 team
presents a huge challenge in itself. Trans-
porting McLaren-Honda’s entire race team
operations across Europe in an efficient, re-
liable and, most importantly, safe manner is
no mean feat. We knew that partnering with
Volvo Trucks as an official supplier would fit
that bill perfectly,” said Neale.
“Like McLaren, Volvo Trucks prides itself
on an enviable heritage in its field. They
have been in operation for more than 80
years and built an impressive reputation for
strong, reliable and economical transport
products. We are looking forward to receiv-
ing the first trucks from the new Volvo FH
fleet from April onwards, and working with
Volvo Trucks to refine our logistics solutions
as the relationship progresses.”
According to Mike Corcoran, Commercial
Director at Volvo Trucks UK and Ireland, “We
are extremely proud to have been select-
ed as a supplier by McLaren-Honda. Our
two companies share a number of values
- particularly so in terms of our approach to
quality and innovation, and we are both very
much leaders in the use of technology. We
are both winners in the race to find tech-
nological solutions to a very different set of
transport challenges: McLaren on the track,
and Volvo Trucks on the roads and highways
of the world.”
Tobias Dahlgren, Brand Strategy at Imple-
mentation Director at Volvo Trucks, added:
“It is great to see that our trucks, known
to be leading in innovation and quality, will
deliver transport solutions to a customer in
one of the most demanding businesses like
McLaren-Honda.” b
VOLVO TRUCKS/
McLaren-Honda Formula 1 Team
TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS