Highlight Motor Group deploys next-generation Volvo VNL fleet in Canada
Volvo Trucks North America delivers 125 all-new Volvo VNL 860 trucks to Highlight Motor Group, marking the largest Canadian order of the next-generation model to date.
www.volvotrucks.com
Volvo Trucks North America has completed delivery of 125 all-new Volvo VNL 860 trucks to Highlight Motor Group, representing the largest single Canadian order of the next-generation Volvo VNL since its launch. The vehicles are now in service across Highlight’s long-haul operations in Canada and the United States.
Fleet renewal strategy and operational context
Highlight Motor Group operates long-distance transport services across North America, where vehicle reliability, driver comfort, and safety systems are critical to operational continuity. The company follows a structured fleet renewal cycle of four to five years, resulting in one of the youngest fleets in the region. Volvo trucks make up the majority of Highlight’s power units.
The decision to invest in the latest Volvo VNL platform reflects the fleet’s focus on maintaining modern equipment that supports both operational efficiency and workforce stability in a competitive driver market.
Safety systems and driver-focused design
Safety performance and driver retention were key factors in Highlight’s selection of the Volvo VNL 860. The model integrates a suite of advanced driver assistance technologies, including Volvo Active Driver Assist Plus, lane keep support, pedestrian detection, and automated emergency braking.
These systems are designed to support drivers during long-haul operations by reducing workload and mitigating risk in complex traffic environments. Feedback from drivers who evaluated the vehicle highlighted improvements in visibility, cab ergonomics, and overall driving experience.
Volvo Trucks North America customer Highlight Motor Group takes delivery of largest Canadian order of all-new Volvo VNL trucks. Pictured left to right; Peter Currie, senior district sales manager, Volvo Trucks North America; Matthew Blackman, managing director for Canada, Volvo Trucks North America; Kirk Kalinitchenko, president and chief executive officer, Highlight Motor Group; Shahin Shoeybi, Volvo account manager, Mid Ontario Truck Centre; John Costa, general manager, Mid Ontario Truck Centre and Todd Chambers, Volvo sales manager, Mid Ontario Truck Center.
Fuel efficiency and sustainability impact
In addition to safety and comfort, fuel efficiency was a central consideration for Highlight. The all-new Volvo VNL 860 offers up to a 10% improvement in fuel efficiency compared with previous generations, achieved through aerodynamic optimization, powertrain enhancements, and system-level efficiency improvements.
For a fleet operating thousands of miles daily, these gains translate into measurable reductions in fuel consumption and associated carbon emissions, supporting Highlight’s sustainability objectives while lowering operating costs.
Partnership and deployment outlook
Volvo Trucks North America describes the delivery as a continuation of a long-standing partnership with Highlight Motor Group. The deployment positions Highlight as an early adopter of the next-generation VNL platform in Canada, setting a benchmark for fleet modernization in the long-haul segment.
With the new trucks now in active service, the investment supports Highlight’s goals of improving safety outcomes, enhancing driver satisfaction, and advancing fuel efficiency across its cross-border and domestic transport operations.
www.volvotrucks.com
