Volvo’s top-selling models, the Volvo FH and FM, received five-star ratings in the first safety tests of heavy-duty trucks by the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP).
The Volvo FM also had the best overall test result among the nine trucks tested, scoring heavily in the driver support and collision avoidance categories.
Both Volvo models also won the prized City Safe honours, thanks to good vision and good performance of Volvo’s active safety systems, designed to protect vulnerable road users in city traffic situations.
“This outstanding result makes me so proud as it confirms Volvo Trucks’ leading position in safety”, said Roger Alm, president Volvo Trucks.
“Safety is a core value for us and a cornerstone in our heritage. Safety has been guiding us from the very start of our company – and with every new product launch we are making our trucks even safer.”
Tom Chapman, vice president sales and marketing, Volvo Trucks Australia, added: “To see the models we build right here at our Wacol facility score so highly in this test really makes us proud.”
“So many Australians live and work in our urban environment where heavy vehicles and vulnerable road users share space on a daily basis.
“The safety features in these vehicles are vital in making those spaces safer, Australians keeping Australia safe.”
The Belgium-based Euro NCAP program was first established in 1996 and quickly became the European industry standard for assessing the safety of passenger cars. It is supported by multiple European governments, including the European Union.
The scope of the truck test was as follows:
- Safe driving: Occupant monitoring, vision (both direct and indirect) and vehicle assistance (e.g. speed assistance)
- Collision avoidance: Frontal collisions (car, pedestrian and cyclist), low speed maneuvering collisions and lane departure collisions
- Post-crash: Rescue