New hauler suspension awarded Volvo Technology Award

New hauler suspension awarded Volvo Technology Award

Volvo Construction Equipment introduced the world's first articulated haulers in
1966. Another major technological step has now been taken through the
introduction of a comfortable hydraulic suspension feature that sharply
increases the productivity of these machines. The development work was conducted
within Volvo CE and the result has been awarded the 2008 Volvo Technology Award.


The award is presented today, April 9, by Volvo CEO Leif Johansson at the Annual
General Meeting of AB Volvo.

Hydraulic suspension in Volvo's articulated haulers is a major technological
advancement that not only increases the efficiency of the machines under
favorable conditions by as much as 40%, but also exposes operators to
significantly reduced vibrations and enables them to feel better when the
workday is done.
Until now, articulated haulers have been equipped with simple mechanical
suspension, but only in the front of the machines. The hydraulic suspension
applies to all six wheels, with the added feature of double cylinders on all
four rear wheels. The hydraulic arrangement has advanced electronic control that
enables the machine to perform the same, regardless of whether it's empty or
full, and when driven slowly or at maximum speed.

During road testing on a certain surface, the driver of an old machine did not
dare to drive faster than 16 km/hour, while the same vehicle with the new
hydraulics could be driven at 52 km/hour with no problems. It is easy to
understand how much greater efficiency the machine can offer during relatively
long transports of materials for road construction projects, for example. If the
driver does not experience any problems with vibrations and reduced road
handling at 50 km/hour, the driver comfort factor - obviously - is also very
much improved. Machines with hydraulic suspension easily meet requirements
concerning worksite vibrations that were introduced recently in the EU. The new
suspension system can also be used in other machines, such as wheel loaders,
motor graders and forklifts.

“We are the first manufacturer to develop an advanced hydraulic suspension for
construction equipment,” says Leif Johansson. “The increased comfort for drivers
strengthens our image as the company that safeguards and protects our customers
and users, while the increased productivity factor significantly strengthens our
competitiveness.”

The Volvo Technology Award was established in 1988 and is being awarded this
year for 21st time. The award is an expression of appreciation for particularly
prominent technical achievements within the Volvo Group that contribute to the
technological profiling of the Volvo Group and stimulate efforts that further
advance the Group's technical skills and expertise.

Winners of the 2008 Volvo Technology Award 

The hydraulic hauler suspension was developed by engineers at the Hauler and
Loader Division of Volvo Construction Equipment in Braås and Volvo CE Components
in Eskilstuna. The five winners are:
Göran Eliasson, Krister Vernersson, Mikael Petersson, Heikki Illerhag and Lars
Bolin.

April 9, 2008

For reporters who want more information, please contact Mårten Wikforss, +46 31
66 11 27 or +46 705 59 11 49.

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AB Volvo (publ) may be required to disclose the information provided herein
pursuant to the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for
publication at 15.00 p.m. April 9, 2008.

The Volvo Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and
construction equipment, drive systems for marine and industrial applications,
aerospace components and services. The Group also provides complete solutions
for financing and service. The Volvo Group, which employs about 100,000 people,
has production facilities in 19 countries and sells their products in more than
180 markets. Annual sales of the Volvo Group amount to about SEK 285 billion.
The Volvo Group is a publicly-held company headquartered in Göteborg, Sweden.
Volvo shares are listed on OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm.