9/20/06 Volvo Makes Volvo Link Sentry and Volvo Action Service
SAVANNAH, GA (September 20, 2006) – All Volvo trucks with US’07 engines come with instant access to technical expertise and round-the-clock service support as standard features. That is because Volvo Link two-way satellite communications and Volvo Action Service (VAS) 24/7 roadside assistance service will be standard on Volvo trucks with US’07 engines.
This combination puts a Volvo technician in the cab with each driver, while also putting a wealth of information about truck and driver performance on fleet managers’ desktops. This combination also gives fleet managers powerful new tools to monitor the productivity and performance of vehicles and drivers. The result is more efficient operation and peace of mind for drivers.
Volvo Trucks North America will make Volvo Link Sentry standard for all Volvo trucks with US’07 engines, which go on sale in the first quarter of next year. Volvo Link Sentry allows remote monitoring of driver and truck efficiency by transmitting information from the truck to Volvo technical personnel while the truck is in operation. In conjunction with Sentry, Volvo will also provide all US’07-equipped truck owners and operators access to Volvo Action Service (VAS), Volvo’s round-the-clock roadside assistance service.
“This system combines early warning of potential trouble with technical counsel and a round-the-clock customer support system,” said Scott Kress, senior vice president, sales & marketing. “It has the added benefit of giving us a real-time status report on how our new engines are performing. It also gives drivers the reassurance to know that help is only a phone call – or satellite message – away, regardless of where they are or what time it is.
“These two programs demonstrate our confidence in Volvo’s new family of engines and show our determination to deliver a premium level of support to customers,” Kress said. “Volvo’s advanced communications technology and dedicated customer support team will back up our customers wherever they are, and at any time of day.”
Volvo Link is Volvo’s proprietary satellite communications system. Volvo Link hardware is integrated into trucks during assembly and uses a network of 30 low-Earth orbit satellites. Drivers send and receive messages using the display in the truck’s gauge cluster. Messages transmitted from trucks are received by ground stations and are sent to Volvo customer support or fleet terminals via the Internet.
Sentry is a special feature of Volvo Link that reads fault codes involving
the truck or engine electronic control units. Sentry then transmits
that information to Volvo’s VAS. In most cases, the driver will
notice the fault code first and contact VAS. But Sentry also allows
VAS to take action first, if the situation requires it.
When a fault code is received from a specific Volvo truck, VAS’s technical
support experts will review the situation and determine what, if any, corrective
action should be taken. Then VAS will contact the driver, either by
cell phone or through the Volvo Link communications display in the truck’s
gauge cluster. VAS will interpret the fault code and provide the driver
or owner with recommended actions. VAS will assist the driver in scheduling
service at a Volvo dealership, if necessary.
Sentry was first introduced in August 2005 for Volvo’s flagship, the
Volvo VT 880.
The combination of Sentry and VAS works like this:
• The driver is always in control of the truck. Drivers see
the fault code and decides if they needs to make contact with VAS then or
if the situation is not urgent.
• The driver or owner can easily contact VAS through either a toll-free
number or by simply selecting the “breakdown” message on the
Volvo Link menu.
• VAS uses the expert knowledge of the Volvo Tech Support Group
to help diagnose fault codes and recommend a course of action.
• VAS then advises regarding possible action, ranging from no
action required, to pulling into the next Volvo dealer. VAS stays on
the case until the issue is closed.
Fleet managers will also find Sentry a valuable tool to increase productivity and to reduce operating costs. Sentry will gather and e-mail regular reports to fleet managers on how the truck has been operated on criteria such as fuel used, distance traveled, miles per gallon, time in or out of RPM sweet spot, time above or below pre-set speeds, and time in or out of cruise control.
Sentry can also be used to identify drivers who may need additional safety coaching. Sentry can report on events involving the Volvo Enhanced Stability Technology system, plus antilock brake engagements and traction control assistance.
Model Year 2008 Volvo trucks come with three years of Sentry and VAS coverage standard. Customers can purchase the services after that period, as can second owners of the vehicles.
Volvo Trucks North America assembles its Volvo VT, VN and VHD trucks in the United States, at the ISO14001 and ISO9001 certified New River Valley Plant in Dublin, Virginia. Volvo engines for North America are assembled in Hagerstown, Maryland. Volvo sponsors the America’s Road Team national highway safety outreach program.
Volvo Trucks North America is part of the Volvo Group of companies, a publicly held company headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. With 2005 sales of approximately $31 billion, Volvo’s business areas include heavy trucks, buses, construction equipment, marine and industrial drive systems, aerospace, and financial services. In the United States, Volvo shares are listed on NASDAQ and are traded as ADRs (symbol: VOLV).
Contact: Jim McNamara
(336) 393-2143
james.mcnamara@volvo.com
www.volvotrucks.us.com