Volvo to drive fuel savings for R McDowell

Keighley-based haulier R McDowell Haulage & Distribution has added three Volvo FH Aero 6×2 tractor units to its fleet, marking a shift in the company’s vehicle strategy.

The haulier provides warehousing, handling and road transport services throughout West Yorkshire and the wider UK.

The trucks, supplied by Jason Robinson, area sales manager at Crossroads Truck and Bus, will be deployed on high-mileage operations, and replace similar models previously sourced from another manufacturer.

R McDowell Haulage & Distribution director Geoffrey Hirst said: “This is the first time we’ve chosen Volvo Trucks for our fleet, and it’s a decision we didn’t take lightly. From the first conversation, it was clear that its team understood our priorities and could deliver a solution that would make a real difference to our business.”

He added that fuel performance played a central role in the decision, noting: “These trucks will each be covering up to 140,000 km annually, so every litre saved has a big impact on our bottom line.

“Volvo’s turbo-compound technology really impressed us while we were trialling the Aero cab. We’re already seeing the benefits in smoother journeys and lower running costs, which reinforces that choosing Volvo was the right move for the long term.”

The FH Aero units are powered by Volvo’s Euro VI-compliant D13TC Step E engine, producing 460 hp and 2,600 Nm of peak torque. The turbo‑compound system recovers excess exhaust energy to increase torque directly at the crankshaft, contributing to improved fuel economy.

Volvo’s I-Save driveline provides an additional 300 Nm of torque compared with the standard 460 hp engine, while the 12‑speed I‑Shift automated gearbox adjusts gear changes based on speed, load, gradient and torque demand.

The trucks also feature Volvo’s Camera Monitoring System, replacing traditional mirrors to enhance aerodynamics and expand the driver’s field of view. Additional fuel‑saving technologies include I‑See predictive cruise control and I‑Cruise with I‑Roll.

Each vehicle is specified with a high‑comfort interior, including leather upholstery, dual armrests, climate control and an adjustable steering wheel with neck‑tilt. The trucks will be double‑shifted and used for general haulage across the UK up to six days per week.

The vehicles are supplied with a full Volvo Gold contract, and the company expects them to remain in service for at least two years.