Like many other manufacturers of trucks, Volvo designs and builds its trucks out of a common range of components, which are found in many different models. This is a tradition which was started already in the early 1930´s, when the same engines, the same gearboxes, and the same chassis components were found on several different Volvo truck models.
Shared components in unique cabs
Components shared between many Volvo trucks include e.g. the electronic system, engines, gearboxes and chassis components. Unlike some manufacturers, however, Volvo makes separate cabs for different models, to ensure that the volume of the cab and driver ergonomics is optimized.
A truck which exemplifies this principle very well is the VM, which is produced exclusively in Curitiba, Brazil. Brazil is (since 1980) one of Volvo's most important truck markets. Volvo did not, however, offer a medium- to light-heavy-duty truck on the Brazilian market until the autumn of 2003, when the VM was introduced.