Volvo folds powertrain repairs into its service contract

Volvo Trucks North America debuted the Silver Service Contract at the American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition in Charlotte, North Carolina. This package extends repair coverage for the engine, aftertreatment system, transmission, and clutch to the preventive maintenance offered in Volvo’s Blue Service Contract.

The increasing cost of truck repair and maintenance was highlighted, with the American Transportation Research Institute’s 2026 Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking reporting an 8.6% rise in 2025, reaching 21.5 cents per mile. Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America, emphasized that maintenance and powertrain repairs are among the most unpredictable fleet expenses.

To simplify these costs, Silver consolidates them into a single monthly payment through Volvo’s network of approximately 400 dealers in the United States and Canada. Available for the new VNL and VNR models, Blue Service Contract already covers preventive maintenance using connected-vehicle data and AI to tailor each truck’s service schedule based on factors like fuel consumption, transport cycle, weight, topography, and idle time.

Silver retains Blue’s benefits and adds coverage for other driveline components and a wearable clutch lining kit. If a truck requires unplanned repairs, scheduled preventive maintenance can be completed during the same visit. Gold, Volvo’s third contract level, offers a comprehensive service plan for the VNR Electric, but price and terms remain undisclosed.

Details on Silver’s cost, contract duration, mileage caps, and its interaction with Volvo’s standard warranty are also not provided. Optional add-ons such as DOT inspections, truck washes, on-site maintenance, and pickup and delivery are available based on location. Financing through Volvo Financial Services allows customers to include Silver in their truck payments, spreading the cost over the financing period without interest.

A Volvo Fleet Manager at a certified dealer manages maintenance based on data from the vehicles, handles service campaigns, recalls, and over-the-air software updates. With over 80% of connected Volvo trucks running the latest software as of June, a fleet manager coordinates with servicing dealers through Volvo Action Service, a 24/7 roadside assistance and service coordination network.

Voorhoeve explained that the Fleet Manager acts as a member of the customer’s team, knowledgeable about the fleet’s needs and responsible for maintenance scheduling. The introduction of Silver aims to shift the financial burden of major powertrain failures from fleets to Volvo, bundled with financing and a dedicated dealer fleet manager.

As repair and maintenance costs continue to rise, pricing will determine the practicality of this arrangement.