SODERTALJE, Sweden, May 7, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- At press conference in Marrakech, Morocco, Scania today announced its decision to put its concept truck with the extended cab and a living area behind the driver on the market. Called Scania Longline, the new truck cab gives drivers access to much more living space, comfort and convenience. The cab is offered exclusively in combination with Scania's most powerful V8 engine and production will start in September 2003.
Presented as 'Scania eXc' at last year's truck exhibition in Hanover, the concept has created tremendous interest among customers and journalists all over Europe.
"Designed as a cab you can really live in for longer periods, the interest from the market took us by surprise," said Hasse Johansson, Group Vice President R&D. "We received many interesting comments and quite a few customers wanted to order one on the spot."
"There is clearly a demand -- right now -- for a cab like this, despite the restrictions imposed by the current length regulations. Scania Longline will be perfect for demanding transcontinental routes."
The Scania Longline will be offered from September 2003 as a tractor unit in combination with Scania's 580 hp V8 engine and the automated gearchanging system Scania Opticruise. Wheel configurations are 4x2, 6x2, 6x2*4 (rear-steer) and 6x4. The distance from bumper to rear cab wall is identical to that of Scania's bonneted T-model with sleeper cab.
The Scania Longline will be built by Laxa Special Vehicles, a company established in January 1999, but with a history of building Scania's special vehicles in Laxa that goes back another 20 years. Read more at www.laxasv.se
Please contact Per-Erik Nordstrom, Scania Business Communications, for more information. Tel +46 70 5535577 or per-erik.nordstrom@scania.com
Scania is one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks and buses for heavy transport applications, and of industrial and marine engines. With 28,200 employees and production facilities in Europe and Latin America, Scania is one of the most profitable companies in its sector. In 2002, turnover totalled SEK 47,000 million and the result after financial items was SEK 3,700 million. Scania products are marketed in about 100 countries worldwide and some 95 percent of Scania's vehicles are sold outside Sweden.
Scania press releases are available on the Internet, www.scania.com
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