All-New 2024 VOLVO FH AERO is the ultimate house on wheels

Summary

Jonathan Disley, Design Director at Volvo Trucks, discusses the innovative design process behind their trucks, influenced by the EU's 2019 directive on truck lengths. This regulation allowed Volvo to enhance the aerodynamic efficiency of their trucks. The design team, working closely with engineers, meticulously combined aesthetics with functionality, ensuring each truck is both elegant and efficient. Central to their philosophy is the iconic FH truck, embodying simplicity, elegance, and Scandinavian design principles. The team's goal was to create a visually striking product that maintains Volvo's commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, resulting in a design that epitomizes perfection and promises great success.

Takeaways

• 😊 Jonathan Disley is the design director for Volvo Trucks
• 🚚 In 2019, EU regulations allowed longer truck lengths for better aerodynamics
• 🎨 Volvo merges aesthetic design with engineering for incremental improvements
• 📐 They combine conceptual sketches with technical data to optimize form and function
• 😎 The iconic FH truck was restyled to be simple, elegant and Scandinavian
• 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Volvo created a customer area so brands can personalize trucks
• 🌬️ The new aerodynamic shape extends the front for visual strength
• ⚙️ Manufacturing, thermal, and aerodynamic needs were balanced in the design
• 🤝 Understanding customers through meetings and conversations informs designs
• 🎉 The final truck achieves visual perfection through cross-team collaboration

Q & A

What was the opportunity provided by the change in EU directives in 2019 regarding truck length?

The change in EU directives in 2019 allowed for an extension of the overall length of trucks, which gave Volvo an opportunity to improve aerodynamic efficiency in their truck designs.

How does Volvo approach styling and aerodynamics when designing a new truck model?

Volvo fuses aerodynamics with design in small increments, starting with sketches and merging technical engineering input. They iterate the design and technical parameters together until they optimize for both styling and aerodynamic efficiency.

What makes the Volvo FH truck iconic?

The Volvo FH is considered the most iconic truck worldwide. Volvo's design approach with the FH focuses on keeping the styling simple, elegant and Scandinavian.

How did Volvo create a customer-focused area in their truck designs?

Volvo created a customer partnership area in their truck designs where customers can feel proud of their brand and Volvo can also feel proud of their trucks.

What was the main ambition of the Volvo design team with the new FH trucks?

The main ambition was to create a new visual strength on the road by extending the front for aerodynamics while also creating an efficient look.

How did Volvo collaborate across teams to optimize the design?

Volvo collaborated closely across design, engineering, aerodynamics, thermal and manufacturing teams to iteratively refine the FH truck design to a point of perfection.

Why is meeting and understanding customers important for Volvo's design process?

Meeting and understanding customers is imperative to Volvo's design process to ensure their products are designed to best meet the needs of their customers.

What pencil sketching techniques does Volvo use in early phases of design?

In early concept phases, Volvo designers start by sketching concepts with simple pencils before merging with technical engineering input.

How did Volvo work to optimize aerodynamics in the new FH truck designs?

Volvo optimized aerodynamics by extending the front of the truck to improve air flow while styling the body to create an efficient visual look.

What Scandinavian design principles were applied to the Volvo FH?

Volvo aimed for a simple, elegant and Scandinavian look with the FH trucks, focusing on minimalist, functional design.