A London transport company has put its first brand-new Volvo FM truck into service in its 35-year history.
James Removals’s new FM 430 4×2 rigid has been specified to meet Transport for London’s three-star Direct Vision Standard rating, the minimum requirement to enter Greater London from autumn 2024.
The FM is powered by Volvo’s D11K Euro-6 engine, producing up to 430 hp and 2,050 Nm of torque, and is fitted with an I-Shift automated gearbox.
It also features a leather interior, twin bunks, microwave, television, satellite navigation and 28-litre fridge.
James Removals, which has a 20-strong fleet, has specified the FM with the Volvo Active Safety pack, including adaptive cruise control with emergency brake assistance, driver alert support to track driving behaviour, and steering wheel inputs that provide an alert when the driver might be tired and need a break.
The pack also adds a lane departure warning system and lane-keeping support.
It comes equipped with full air suspension and rear towing application and is mounted with a bespoke-built demountable body.
Purchased outright from MC Truck & Bus, the FM is expected to be in operation for around 10 years.
It is planned to be in operation five days a week, covering up to 22,000 miles per annum on local, national and international domestic removals.
James De-Machen, Owner of James Removals, said: “We had the new demountable bodies designed with a low chassis and lower profile tyres for health and safety reasons – it makes them more suitable for the work our drivers carry out.”
