Big Rigs · Multi-state · October 24, 2026

Volvo Limits 2027 Truck Order Slots as Its Plants Add Workers

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Volvo Group is holding back on how many 2027 truck orders it will take in North America, even as its plants in Virginia and Pennsylvania hire more workers, Transport Topics reports.

Why Volvo is rationing slots

CEO Martin Lundstedt said on the company's Oct. 23 earnings call that uncertainty over Environmental Protection Agency nitrogen oxide rules, which the EPA had not finalized ahead of a Jan. 1 launch, meant production slots deeper into 2027 were being rationed, according to TT.

"We have been restrictive in our order slotting [in North America] in quarter 3 to secure not having an order book that is filled too far into 2027," he told analysts.

Volvo Trucks North America and Mack Trucks opened their 2027 order books at the start of September. Lundstedt said it was too early to say whether customers would choose the EPA 2024 or EPA 2027 compliant engines both brands offer.

Hiring at the plants

According to TT:

Volvo Trucks North America is hiring up to 500 more workers for its New River Valley plant in Dublin, Virginia, company President Peter Voorhoeve said.
Mack Trucks added about 270 staff in recent months at its Lehigh Valley Operations plant in Macungie, Pennsylvania, bringing head count to around 2,800.

"People need new trucks," Voorhoeve said. "The trucks are getting old. They want to renew the fleet." He said the average fleet's rolling stock is 6.5 to 6.7 years old, compared with a historical 5 to 6.5 years.

Sales and orders

Volvo Trucks North America sold 6,948 trucks in North America in the third quarter, up 58% from 4,395, TT reports. Mack sales rose 28% to 6,675. Volvo's orders rose 61% to 6,729, while Mack's orders fell 16% to 4,401.

Volvo Group expects North American heavy-duty truck retail sales of 265,000 in 2026 and 300,000 in 2027, according to TT.