TDL Group has ordered 50 Volvo Trucks FH Aero 460 from Paesen Trucks. The first 20 have already been delivered, the next 30 will be put into service in the coming months.
How did the collaboration with TDL Group come about and evolve?
Paesen Trucks: Paesen Trucks NV and TDL Group have had a close cooperative relationship for many years. Over the years, new Volvo tractors and also some rigid trucks were regularly ordered. The fact that TDL Group decided this year to strengthen their fleet with 50 new Volvo FH460 Aero tractors is a nice confirmation of this good cooperation and for which we are very grateful to TDL Group.
Which specific needs of TDL have you helped to meet? Which features of the Volvo FH 460 Aero made this truck a good match for TDL?
Paesen Trucks: The Volvo FH460 Aero is the ultimate tractor for (inter)national long-distance transport. The economical Volvo D13 – 460 hp engine delivers high torque at low engine speed and the I-Shift gearbox ensures optimal and very smooth shifting. Even more optimal switching is achieved with the I-See function, which uses topographical map information. When the cruise control is activated, this system adjusts the speed of the vehicle to make optimal use of the tractor’s kinetic energy when driving over hilly landscapes to achieve even lower fuel consumption.
Nowadays, the service story cannot be separated from the choice of a particular brand. Paesen Trucks and the entire European dealer network are available 24/7 to provide this service and to assist the customer as quickly as possible in the event of an emergency. This strength certainly also played a role in TDL Group’s decision-making process.
What are the biggest advantages of the Aero concept in terms of efficiency and aerodynamics?
Paesen Trucks: The “Aero concept” with a completely new cabin design was developed by Volvo specifically to optimize the aerodynamic properties of the tractor in order to achieve the lowest possible consumption and the greatest possible driving comfort for the driver.
Are there technical options or configurations that TDL has specifically chosen?
Paesen Trucks: In addition to the Aero design, TDL also specifically opted for side cameras and spoilers for even better aerodynamics. An additional advantage of these Volvo cameras is that the driver also has a much better view in the dark than with classic side mirrors. Furthermore, driving comfort for its drivers was also very important to TDL, which is why, among other things, air suspension was chosen for both the front and the rear and various options to make the working environment for its drivers as pleasant as possible.
When are the remaining 30 trucks expected?
Paesen Trucks: We plan to deliver these 30 remaining trucks before the summer of 2026, the exact timing will be agreed in the coming weeks together with TDL Group and Volvo Trucks Belgium.
What service and maintenance formulas are offered to TDL for this new fleet?
Paesen Trucks: Volvo offers four types of service contracts: Parts Contract – Blue – Silver – Gold. TDL Group is currently investigating which service contract best suits their needs and expectations. In any case, all these contract types contribute to maximum operational reliability and better monitoring of the TCO of the truck, allowing the customer to better focus on its core business.
What role does Paesen Trucks play in keeping a large transport company like TDL operational on a day-to-day basis?
Paesen Trucks: Downtime of a truck due to damage or other defects costs time and money, it is therefore crucial that Paesen Trucks, together with TDL Group, ensures a minimum downtime of the vehicles. Unfortunately, we cannot predict damage caused by an accident, but downtime due to late maintenance or wear of certain components can be avoided. The service contracts can be a very useful and convenient tool for this because the vehicles are continuously monitored by Paesen Trucks and our service department can contact TDL Group in a timely manner to schedule maintenance or point out wearing parts that need to be replaced before it is too late.
