The Volvo Bus Corporation and Svenska Räddningsfordon AB join forces to produce bus-based fire tenders

The Volvo Bus Corporation and Svenska Räddningsfordon AB join forces to produce bus-based fire tenders Volvo Buses and Svenska Räddningsfordon are forming a joint company for the development, manufacture, marketing and sale of rescue vehicles. The name of the new company is Swedish Firebus Arvika AB. The jointly developed firebus is a unique concept, marking the first time ever that a fire tender has been built on a bus chassis. The firebus is built on the mid-engine chassis that is the biggest- selling Volvo Buses model ever. In autumn 2000, Volvo Buses introduced a new generation - the B12M - based on the new TX platform. "The position of the engine gives the bus ideal road properties, saving time and boosting safety in an emergency call-out," says Ulf Johansson, CEO of Svenska Räddningsfordon, who has 25 years of experience as a fire- fighter. Ulf Johansson is the man behind the design of the new firebus, 80% of whose components come from Volvo. The bus concept is unique in this context, never having been tried previously. One major benefit of using a bus chassis is its flexible interior with full standing height for the crew and fire chief, allied to a lower entry and broad doors for easier entry and exit - which in turn improves the working environment. Today, most injuries suffered by frontline fire-fighters occur when entering and leaving their vehicles. With a low boarding height and wide doors, the fire-fighter's working environment becomes far safer. All the equipment is stored inside. Hoses and pipes are coupled at the front of the bus, so the bus can be driven while the operator maintains a full overview of the fire or accident scene. The equipment is operated from the driver's cabin. This together with the cab's interior space considerably improves the efficiency of the crew's fire-fighting efforts. Two prototypes have already been built and sold to the Arvika and Lindesberg emergency rescue services, and the concept is now ready for series production. The new company's production facilities are housed in Svenska Räddningsfordon's existing plant in Arvika, and work is carried out on a stripped-out body made at the Volvo Buses factory in Säffle. Sweden currently has about 900 emergency rescue vehicles in operation, and annual sales are estimated in the region of about 50 vehicles. Sales will initially focus on the Nordic market, which is estimated to be twice as large as the Swedish market. "I regard it as an important step in the right direction that we have a solid partner to work as we take the firebus into the production phase," comments Ulf Johansson, who not only owns Svenska Räddningsfordon but is also responsible for development of the firebus concept. "For Volvo Buses, there is considerable future potential from filling a specialised commercial niche by joining forces with a renowned expert and exploiting our own economies of scale," comments Lars Blom, Director of Business Region Europe. "I feel we can contribute by industrialising the concept so as to create a high-quality product and offer customers a broader product range." 11% of the shares in the new company will be owned by Volvo Buses, 70% by Svenska Räddningsfordon AB and the remaining 19% of stocks will be owned by various private investors. May 10, 2001 For more information please contact: Heléne Mellquist, Head of Corporate Communication Volvo Bus Corporation Tel: +46 31 66 12 06 Fax: +46 31 66 72 88 E-mail: info.buses@volvo.com ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/05/10/20010510BIT01260/bit0002.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/05/10/20010510BIT01260/bit0002.pdf