Volvo Trucks North America showcased its continued support of the American Trucking Associations’ America’s Road Team by presenting the organization with a brand new Volvo VNL 760 tractor.

Volvo’s VP of marketing and brand management Magnus Koeck and ATA’s president and CEO Chris Spear presented the keys to the new truck to four America’s Road Team captains, at a ceremony held during the Volvo Ocean Race Newport, Rhode Island stopover.  

Volvo has sponsored America’s Road Team for 15 consecutive years. This year marks the first time Volvo has had exclusive sponsorship of America's Road Team, according to Spear.

“We’ve had this equipment all over the country, and the lawn of the White House,” Spear said. “They can educate, but also advocate. This program is instrumental in upholding our image, and really important and teaching children.”

Spear emphasized the point that 1 in 16 jobs in the U.S. is trucking related, with more than 3.5 million drivers moving 70 percent of the freight in the country.

Koeck acknowledged the giveaway symbolizes Volvo’s continued commitment to supporting trucking education and safety.

“We are known for making driver-centric trucks with (a focus on the driver),” Koeck said. “What’s better than handing over the best tool we have.”

The VNL 760 tractor includes a number of standard safety features and driver-focused technologies including Volvo Active Driver Assist with Bendix Wingman Fusion integrated into the driver display, lane departure warning system, stability control, collision mitigation technology, air-adjustable steering column, a 12-speed I-Shift automated manual transmission.

In addition, the truck includes Volvo’s remote diagnostics and remote programming.

The VNL760 tractor will pull the ATA Interstate One mobile classroom trailer, making stops across the U.S. making stops to educate the public, and specifically schoolchildren across the country, on the importance of the trucking industry.

The trailer is equipped with a conference room, presentation screens, a truck driving simulator and educational displays. ATA Road Team Captains hold interactive presentations at stops across the U.S.

The America's Road Team program is a national public outreach effort led by professional truck drivers who have logged millions of accident-free miles. The ATA created the America's Road Team in 1986.