Vanguard Truck Centers recently completed two EV certifications through Volvo Trucks North America and Mack Trucks.
Vanguard’s certification with VTNA expands Volvo Trucks’ certified electric vehicle dealer program with five more locations—Phoenix; Atlanta (Forest Park); Charlotte, North Carolina; and Austin and Houston, Texas. This expansion includes three new states for Volvo Trucks, bringing its total to 50 certified dealership locations in 24 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces.
“It is inspiring to see Vanguard Truck Centers making the investment to certify multiple locations simultaneously across the U.S. and continuing the expansion of the Volvo Trucks electromobility ecosystem,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “Cost is still a significant barrier to electrification, particularly at scale, and our colleagues at Volvo Financial Services (VFS) recognize this as well as they’ve introduced new financing options for both our customers and dealers to support them with their shift to zero-emission solutions.”
To become a Volvo Trucks certified EV dealer, Vanguard took advantage of a new financing program from Volvo Financial Services. This allowed Vanguard to install charging stations in its dealerships, create dedicated EV service bays, acquire diagnostic tools and personal protective equipment for technicians working with high-voltage systems, and purchase parts inventory for VNR electric vehicles.
See also: Volvo Trucks introduces Turnkey Solutions program for full-service EV infrastructure
The Mack Trucks certification enables Vanguard to service and support the Mack LR Electric refuse truck, Mack’s first fully electric Class 8 vehicle, and Mack MD Electric medium-duty vehicle. With Vanguard’s certification, it’s now the first Mack Certified EV Dealer in Arizona.
“Mack applauds Vanguard Truck Centers for demonstrating their commitment to building a more sustainable future,” said Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. “The investments made in becoming EV certified enhances our service network and helps customers transition toward a zero-tailpipe emission future.”
Mack’s EV certification requires dealerships to complete a comprehensive sales and technician training program. Facility upgrades are often necessary to accommodate the certification. Vanguard met regularly with the Mack team to ensure they fulfilled the stringent infrastructure, safety, charging, and tooling requirements to be EV-certified.
Founded in 1989, Vanguard Truck Centers serves the transportation industry with 26 modern facilities spanning Texas, Arizona, Missouri, Illinois, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. The first five locations now have certified EV sales and service representatives to support customers as fleets adopt zero-emission vehicles. As market demand grows for zero-tailpipe emission solutions, the dealer group will evaluate each location for additional training and certification opportunities.
“We are very excited with the response from our customers regarding Vanguard’s commitment to supporting electric vehicles,” said John Thomas, executive vice president of new truck sales at Vanguard Truck Centers. “Battery-electric trucks are an important part of the future of trucking, and our customers want to be a part of this exciting new technology—we are getting inquiries daily.”
