Volvo Trucks has started construction on a new customer experience track at its New River Valley Plant in Dublin, VA. The company recently hosted truck dealers and fleet representatives for a sneak peek at the construction.
The track is expected to open during the third quarter of 2014 and will feature a 1.1-mi. paved road course and an off-highway area.
“Customers visit our plant nearly every day to see their trucks being built and experience the passion and care that goes into the vehicles we manufacture,” said Gӧran Nyberg, president of Volvo Trucks North American sales & marketing. “Providing a hands-on opportunity is an important extension of that experience, and we believe it will foster an even deeper appreciation of the design, manufacturing and performance of Volvo products.”
The paved road course is designed with banked corners, making highway speeds achievable. Inside the road course will be an off-highway area with a variety of surfaces and grades to simulate the most demanding of work environments.
The track was designed and is being built by Volvo employees with design, excavation and heavy-equipment operation experience. With the help of rented Volvo construction equipment, the team is tackling all aspects of the project - blueprints to bulldozing - the company said.
“Employee engagement and project ownership is very important to us, and I commend our team for the excellent work they’re doing,” said Lars Blomberg, vice president and NRV general manager. “The new track is an investment in our future, and we look forward to delivering an even greater experience for all who visit the plant and have an opportunity to get in the driver’s seat.”
