Volvo shows off its Euro-6 Volvo FM By Steve Hobson
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r THE NEW Euro-6 Volvo FM was unveiled to much fanfare at the CV Show, the subdued gold paint scheme contrasting with the mean and moody big black FH across the stand.
On the surface, the new FM has much in common with the outgoing Euro-5, keeping the trademark raked windscreen. But inside and underneath the cab the FM is all new, sharing many components with its bigger FH sibling.
Carl Carter, director of Norfolk family haulier Carter Haulage and Storage, immediately liked the new Euro-6 FM and is considering buying three in August. Carter already runs two FMs in a mixed fleet that also includes Dafs and has a strict policy of replacing the trucks every four years. "I will buy Euro-6 because I want to move with the times and they will have better resale values in the long term," he said. "But price will be an issue."
Volvo is not revealing the list prices for the new line-up but, if they are in line with industry expectations, Euro-6 will be 8% or 10% dearer than the outgoing models. Carter likes the new FM cab and expects his drivers will also enjoy the new dash and driveline.
Meynell Plant Hire operations manager Troy Harrison was less impressed with his first sight of the FM as he was expecting it to look more like the FH. But he conceded that the external appearance was "not relevant to the operation" — in his case, construction tippers and brick carriers — and that the cab interior was "vastly improved". "Underneath, it is the same as the FH and it will do everything we need," he said. He is planning to buy two new Euro-6 FMs, although he is waiting to see what weight penalty they will carry.
"It is a difficult decision until we get the weight figures," he said. "If it is only 150kg or 200kg heavier, then it won't be a problem."