TEL, one of the United States’ largest fleet leasing providers, has placed an order for 400 Volvo VNL 860 sleepers—one of the biggest commitments to the all‑new Volvo VNL platform since production began.
The order underscores rising demand for fuel‑efficient, high‑comfort long‑haul equipment as carriers look to improve operating costs and driver retention.
“This significant order for the all‑new Volvo VNL reflects the confidence fleets have in our flagship platform,” said Peter Voorhoeve, President of Volvo Trucks North America. “One year into production, the real‑world performance of the new VNL is delivering measurable results in fuel efficiency, safety, and driver comfort. With 400 Volvo VNL 860 sleepers entering service through TEL’s leasing program, we are putting premium long‑haul experiences into the hands of drivers across North America.”
TEL, headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, operates one of the country’s largest leasing programs, supplying heavy‑duty trucks to fleets and owner‑operators across North America. The company’s decision to add 400 VNL 860 sleepers reflects a broader industry trend toward upgrading long‑haul assets with equipment that improves uptime, reduces fuel consumption, and enhances driver comfort.
The new Volvo VNL was engineered for fuel efficiency, offering up to a 10 percent improvement over the previous model through aerodynamic refinements and powertrain updates. Production began in October 2024 at Volvo’s New River Valley assembly plant in Dublin, Virginia, and approximately 15,000 units are now in commercial service across the US and Canada.
“The Volvo VNL 860 brings a distinct combination of innovation, safety, and efficiency that complements the rest of our fleet extremely well,” stated Aaron Thompson, Vice President of Asset Management for TEL. “This gives our customers more choice and flexibility while maintaining the high standards they expect from TEL.”
Thompson added that the company’s long‑standing approach to fleet management made the Volvo addition a natural fit. “TEL has been a trusted provider to the transportation industry for over 20 years. We are committed to investing in equipment that supports our owner‑operators and fleets in a way that gives them the lowest total cost to operate. Adding Volvo to our leasing lineup is a natural next step for TEL.”
Volvo Trucks North America, headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, is one of the leading heavy‑duty truck manufacturers in North America. The company supports customers through nearly 400 authorized dealers and its 24/7 Volvo Trucks Uptime Center. All Volvo trucks for the region are assembled at the New River Valley manufacturing facility, which holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and dual ISO 50001/Superior Energy Performance platinum certifications. Volvo Trucks North America offers a full range of diesel, alternative‑fuel, and all‑electric vehicles and is part of the global Volvo Trucks organization. For more information, visit www.volvotrucks.us.