Tristar Worldwide has renewed its solus supply deal with Volvo. A new three-year deal will see Volvo supply 700 cars a year to Tristar, mainly to chauffeur Virgin Atlantic Airlines’ Upper Class passengers to and from UK airports.
The Tristar/Virgin fleet will be a mix of S80 and V70 163bhp D3 SE models, while other Volvo models will be specified as and when they are needed. This will be the 15th consecutive year the three companies have worked together.
Tristar has set a target of reducing CO2 emissions per 'passenger on board' mile by a further 15% over the next three years, and as part of this effort, Tristar plans to introduce Volvo's Geartronic models to the fleet, complete with start/stop technology. And all models chosen will feature Volvo's City Safety technology - which can lessen the severity of, or entirely avoid, low-speed rear-end collisions at speeds of up to 18mph.
City Safety keeps watch on vehicles in front with the help of a laser sensor built into the windscreen at the height of the rear-view mirror. The car automatically brakes if the driver does not respond in time when the car in front slows down or stops. City Safety is fitted as standard to all Volvo V70 and S80 models.
John McKee, Tristar's UK commercial director said: “Volvo continually brings new things to this contract and City Safety is an exciting advancement for all concerned. It should further improve customer safety by reducing the number of incidents and knock-on repair costs across the Virgin chauffeur fleet.”
He added: “Volvo's range continues to provide the right combination of safety features, comfort for both passengers and chauffeurs, and a continued reduction in emissions and an increase in fuel economy,” he added.
Selwyn Cooper, Volvo Car UK's national corporate operations manager, said: “We are proud to supply cars to Tristar as it provides an excellent opportunity to get some very high profile business men and women into the Volvo brand, some for the first time.”
