GREENSBORO, N.C. — Professional drivers prefer the new Volvo VN, rating it above every other make of tractor on the road in North America, Volvo announced yesterday.

In fact, the Volvo VN was the runaway favorite during Volvo Truck’s Drive The Future Tour, with nine out of 10 drivers preferring the new VN over their current truck in each category surveyed, say officials.

A total of 1,132 holders of commercial drivers licenses test drove the Volvo VN as the tour traveled to 20 different truck stops in the U.S. and Canada from mid-April to the end of June.

Each of the four tractors in the Tour pulled loaded 53-foot trailers (for gross vehicle weights between 72,000 and 79,000 pounds) to give an honest feel for the VN’s performance. Each driver was surveyed following their test drive and filled out a questionnaire that asked them to state their preference for the new VN or the truck they currently drive for styling, driver visibility, ride, quietness, driver features and sleeper features.

How well did these drivers (owner/operators as well as fleet drivers) like the Volvo VN, compared to their current truck?

* 90 percent preferred the VN’s styling.
* 92 percent preferred its sleeper features.
* 92 percent preferred the driver features.
* 94 percent preferred the quietness of the VN.
* 94 percent preferred its ride.
* 95 percent preferred the VN’s visibility.

“Once again, it just demonstrates that drivers really do recognize the qualities of a great truck when they see it, and especially when they drive it,” says Susan Alt, vice president, marketing, Volvo Trucks North America. “These drivers spend their working lives behind the wheel and they really appreciate what Volvo Trucks has done to bring them the best trucks on the road.”

Complete results from the Drive the Future Tour, as well as comments from drivers who participated at the different stops, can be found at www.volvotrucks.com

Volvo Trucks North America assembles its Volvo VN and VHD trucks in the United States, at the New River Valley Plant in Dublin, Virginia.

Volvo Trucks North America is a member of the Volvo Group, a publicly held company headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. With 2002 sales of approximately $20 billion, Volvo’s business areas include heavy trucks, buses, construction equipment, marine and industrial drive systems, aerospace, and financial services.

In the United States, Volvo shares are listed on NASDAQ and are traded as ADRs (symbol: VOLVY).