Volvo Trucks is a Swedish truck manufacturer owned by the same company that also owns Mack Trucks and Renault Trucks. Volvo Trucks first started in 1928 and is a global powerhouse. This blog post will walk you through all the Volvo Truck models that have existed since the mid-1990s.
This blog post covers the modern era of Volvo Trucks from the early 1990s up to the current time. Our data is backed by our Diesel VIN Decoder , which decodes millions of VINs yearly. This data is analyzed to re-create the same model years that trucks were manufactured.
Note that model years and the actual year that trucks are built are often different. Most times, the model year is one year from the manufacturing date. The next model years typically come out in February or March of the previous year. This means a truck built in April 2022 is typically a 2023 model year. The years given here are model years, not the year the truck was manufactured.
The other essential item is that we do not include gliders in our year ranges. Gliders are trucks built either without engines or with remanufactured engines. This was a loophole around emission-related truck engines for several years before it was closed by the government, and gliders were no longer allowed.
Volvo ACL
This model entered into the market in 1988 when the family history of Volvo, GM Heavy Truck, White GMC, and Autocar were all tangled up. Since July of 1995, which is the model year 1996 truck, all White GMC trucks were produced under the Volvo brand name, but with the model ACL, which came from Autocar. You’ll find the Volvo ACL stopped production after the model year 2001.
Volvo FE
The Volvo FE medium-duty cab over the engine ceased production around 1997. This model still exists today in Europe and other countries. It primarily ran the Volvo D7 or the Caterpillar 3116 engine.
Volvo VAH
Volvo designed the VAH as a car hauler vehicle. These trucks aride lower, along with increased maneuverability and other physical changes to allow car carriers. Originally released to the public for the EPA13 emission years in 2013, the Volvo designed the VAH to meet all the newest technology and safety standards for the model year 2021. The Volvo VAH is still in production today. This truck is also only available with the Volvo D11 or D13 engines.
Volvo VHD Series
The Volvo VHD is Volvo’s vocational truck. If you want a Volvo and plan to haul dump trucks, mixer trucks, heavy flatbeds, or other heavy haul applications, the Volvo VHD is the truck you’d want. Established in 2002, the Volvo VHD is still offered today. The truck is available with set forward or set back steer axles, factory-installed pusher axles, and every possible rugged option available on the market. The Volvo VHD has gone through numerous updates, the latest being the 2021 model year that brought the state-of-the-art model interiors found on other Volvo models. This included LED lighting, a 7″ color touch screen, integrated premium audio, Volvo’s Position Perfect steering configuration, and much more.
Volvo VN Series
Volvo launched the VN series in 1996 as the second generation of the Volvo Class 8 over-the-road commercial truck. Volvo marketed the truck as a “VN” series through the model Year 2000 when it switched to the VNL. Customers ordered the VN with the popular engines of the time, such as the Cummins M11, Detroit Diesel Series 60, Cummins N14, and the Caterpillar 3406.
Volvo VNL Series
The Volvo VNL replaced the VN with the model year 2000. The “L” signified a long bonnet, while the “M” (medium) and “R” (regional) variations would make the Volvo VLM and VNR series. The entire model of the truck, such as VNL64T760, could be deciphered using the following information:
- Number of Wheels Driven (6 wheels, 4 push the truck, so ’64’)
- Type of Vehicle (‘T’ for Tractor)
- Three-digit code for the cab style. 300 is a day cab, 400 for a short sleeper, and 640/660/740/760/780 for the various sleeper cabs with high or short roofs
For the model year 2018, Volvo launched an updated version of the cab that included the latest aerodynamics, safety, and driver comfort improvements. The Volvo VNL has quickly become known as a high-quality truck that provides excellent fuel economy and driver comfort while maintaining a higher resale value than competitors.
Volvo VNM
The Volvo VNM is a shorter version of the Volvo VNL. The VNM had a bumper to the back of the cab of 113″, while the VNL had 123″. This shorter measurement allowed for excellent maneuverability and meant 10″ less space to cram in the engine and driver setup. The truck was designed as a regional hauler and made its debut in 2000 with the other VN series. It was manufactured up through the model year 2018, when it was phased out for the new Volvo VNR.
Volvo VNR
The Volvo VNR replaced the Volvo VNM starting with the model year 2018. The Volvo VNM had grown a little outdated after its nearly 20-year run, and the new version of the Volvo VNR cab as a day cab, 42″ flat roof sleeper, or 61″ mid-roof sleeper. The Volvo VNR has three interior trim levels – Fleet, Express, and Platinum. Drivers also received an upgrade with 2″ of additional space, lowered hip point, and updated design from inside the cab. The VNR’s exterior is more aerodynamic, with a redesigned grille to improve airflow, a sharper wheel cut, and much more. The truck also brought fuel economy improvements with its new EPA17-certified engines.
Volvo VNX
The Volvo VNX combines Volvo’s comfort with heavy hauling applications. While the Volvo VHD is focused on having equipment mounted to the back of the truck, the VNX pulls trailers in severe duty applications such as logging and oversized loads. The Volvo VNX can be ordered with horsepower ratings up to 605 HP through their Volvo D16 engine. Volvo launched the VNX in 2019 and it is still in production today.
Volvo VT
The Volvo VT is the premium owner-operator truck for Volvo customers. Sold under the models VT800, VT830, and VT880, they were announced in 2015 and began production in the model year 2016. The truck has a distinct longer nose hood, yet gives the comfort inside the cab that Volvo owners expect. The VT used the “big bore” engines of the time, the Cummins ISX 15.0L and the Volvo D16 16.0L. In July of 2009, Volvo announced that it was retiring the Volvo VT series to focus on its core customer base (and lack of demand/sales), which is the VN platform.
Volvo WAH
The Volvo WAH is another truck from when Volvo was working with White and doing a variety of co-branding and co-marketing. Volvo created the WAH solely for the car hauling industry. The truck had a variety of engines available, such as the Detroit Diesel Series 60, Cummins ISM, & Cummins M11. We last saw the WAH in the VIN decoding books for the model year 2002, but the oldest one is from 2001. The WAH debuted around 1996.
Volvo WCA
Released around 1990, the Volvo WCA was built until the model year 1998. The Volvo WCA was a day cab configuration truck that could do a variety of applications. Four different manufacturers provided engines configurations at the time: Volvo (D12), Caterpillar (3406), Cummins (N14 & M11) & Detroit Diesel (Series 60).
Volvo WG
Another product from the White/GMC/Volvo era of consolidation and acquirement, the Volvo WG, released in 1988. The short hood conventional returned, and again was a combination of Autocar and Volvo. In 1995, the Volvo WG was the first year the White GMC truck marketed as a Volvo. The Volvo WG sold up through the model year 2001.
Volvo WIA
The Volvo WIA is another white/GMC/Volvo era mashup. The Volvo VN eventually replaced this truck. The WIA came to market around 1988; the last model year we can find is 1998. This truck appears only to be sold as a sleeper cab option.
Volvo WX, WXLL, & WXLM
The Volvo WX is a low cab forward refuse truck. This was another carry-over from the Autocar/White Trucks acquisition, and eventually, the Volvo product was discontinued and carried over to Autocar. The model name comes from White Xpediator or WX for short. The WXLL was released in the mid-1980s, representing White Xpeditor Low Level. The Volvo WXR model was also released. These trucks were sold alongside the White GMC that was precisely the same except for the grill. Since 2000, these model trucks only existed as Autocar, except for the Volvo WXLL produced through 2003.
Summary
We realize that we aren’t perfect, and although we do our best research, we mess up. If you disagree with any data or facts, let us know! We also love hearing our customer’s stories and thoughts about the various Volvo Truck models produced in the last 30 years, so make sure to leave a comment!
Need to diagnose or repair a Volvo truck? Diesel Laptops offer a vast range of diagnostic tools, repair information, parts information, and training! How can we help you today?
| Model | Start Year | End Year | Vehicle Weight Rating |
| ACL | 1988 | 2001 | Class 8 |
| FE | Unknown | 1997 | Class 7 |
| VAH | 2011 | Current | Class 8 |
| VHD | 2002 | Current | Class 8 |
| VN | 1996 | 1999 | Class 8 |
| VNL | 2000 | Current | Class 8 |
| VNM | 2000 | 2018 | Class 8 |
| VNR | 2018 | Current | Class 8 |
| VT | 2006 | 2010 | Class 8 |
| WAH | 1996 | 2002 | Class 8 |
| WCA | 1990 | 1998 | Class 8 |
| WG | 1988 | 2001 | Class 8 |
| WIA | 1988 | 1998 | Class 8 |
| WX | 1985 | 1999 | Class 8 |
| WXLL | 1988 | 2003 | Class 8 |
| WXLM | 1988 | 1999 | Class 8 |
| WXR | 1996 | 2000 | Class 8 |
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