The 500,000th truck built by Volvo Trucks North American (VTNA) is going home with the same company that bought the very first unit to roll off Volvo’s New River Valley production line in Dublin, Virginia: Wilson Trucking.
Brothers Chuck Wilson and T. Guy Wilson – the chairman and president, respectively, of Fishersville, VA-based Wilson Trucking – were on hand to receive the keys to their new Volvo VNL 300 daycab tractor. It shared the stage with the very first Volvo truck bought by the family-owned carrier in 1982, an F7 tractor, which Wilson Trucking only recently retired from active service.
Founded in 1926 by C.G. “Boss” Wilson, Wilson Trucking now operates over 740 trucks and 1,500 trailers from 35 terminals throughout the Southeast. T. Guy Wilson said the company’s success is largely attributed to principles put in place by his father, Buddy Wilson, the second generation to run the family business.
“Dad was a bomber pilot in World War II and he was always very close with the maintenance crews on the ground,” Wilson said. “It was obvious to him that having good, well-maintained equipment would help his crew survive their bombing missions, and he instilled that mindset to our company.”
“This is really an exciting day for us, because Wilson Trucking has been with us from the very start of production here at the New River Valley Plant,” said Ron Huibers, VTNA’s senior vp-sales and marketing. “Our history together dates back a long time and we’re proud that Wilson Trucking continues to choose Volvo trucks to wear its signature green and red colors.”
Virginia’s Dept. of Motor Vehicles also issued Wilson Trucking a commemorative license plate, emblazoned with the numbers “500 000,” in honor of VTNA awarding it the 500,000th truck built at the New River Valley plant