Globetrotter

The Globetrotter (not in fact a special model but a term for top-of-the-range versions of long-distance heavy-duty Volvo trucks) is perhaps the biggest success in the history of Volvo Truck Division/Volvo Truck Corporation. The Globetrotter quickly built up a reputation as the most luxurious truck in the world.'

Intended as a mobile hotel
Initially, the Globetrotter was never intended as a luxury truck for western Europe, but as a mobile hotel for truck drivers in countries behind the former 'Iron curtain'. Before 'The Wall' fell, it was very tough for the drivers from these countries to perform long-distance-transports, since they could bring very little western currency on their missions to 'The West'.

Volvo decided to supply the transport companies in these countries with a truck cab which had huge interior space and features not previously found in truck cabs, like refrigerator, water tank, sink, kitchen, etc (all these features, except the huge interior space, were available at extra cost).

Increasing driver efficiency
Thanks to the introduction of the F10/F12 trucks two years earlier, however, the transport companies and their drivers had realised that the comfort of a high-class truck cab was not only beneficial to driver comfort, health and safety, but also to the efficiency of the driver.

As a result of this, the popularity of the new Volvo Globetrotter exceeded all expectations. Suddenly 'everyone' wanted the Globetrotter cab/truck. Actually, there were two different reasons for choosing the Globetrotter cab: to provide ultra-high comfort for a single driver, or to make room for two drivers on missions where this was necessary (the vertical space between the bunks in a 'normal' cab is limited).

Still a luxury symbol
For 20 years, the Globetrotter cab has been the ultimate symbol of a luxury cab, where the luxury contributes not only to driver satisfaction, but to increased driver efficiency and thereby to more economical transport.