Volvo’s Next VNL Autonomous Trucks Enter Production Soon
Virginia Plant Prepares for Launch of Second-Generation Models
Key Takeaways:
- Volvo Autonomous Solutions will begin production of its second-generation VNL Autonomous tractors in the coming weeks at Volvo Trucks North America’s New River Valley plant in Virginia.
- The move follows testing and commercial pilots in Texas with partners including DHL Supply Chain, as Volvo expands its autonomous freight operations and prepares for driverless runs.
- Officials said fully driverless operations are approaching within quarters rather than years, aided by recent DOT approval for safety equipment enabling trucks to stop without human intervention.
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SAN DIEGO — Volvo Autonomous Solutions is set to start production of its second generation of VNL Autonomous tractors in the next few weeks, Head of On-Road Solutions Sasko Cuklev said.
The trucks will be manufactured at Volvo Trucks North America’s New River Valley production plant in Dublin, Va., Cuklev said during an Oct. 26 briefing at the American Trucking Associations 2025 Management Conference & Exhibition.
The first batch of 25 autonomous trucks — configurations of the redesigned flagship VNL semi launched in January 2024 — was built at New River Valley in the final quarter of 2024.
VTNA has since been testing the trucks with a number of partners.
The VNL Autonomous tractors hit the road for the first time as part of a commercial operation in December 2024, hauling freight for DHL Supply Chain.
Freight initially began on two lanes in Texas — Dallas to Houston and Fort Worth to El Paso.
DHL Supply Chain ranks No. 14 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest logistics companies in North America. Its parent company, DHL Group, ranks No. 5 on the TT Top 50 list of the largest global freight companies.
DHL sees autonomous trucks as a means to reliable longhaul capacity, DHL Supply Chain North America President of Transportation Jim Monkmeyer said at the time.
“Autonomous [trucks] complement what we have today,” Cuklev said during the briefing on the MCE show floor. “Autonomous [technology] will be implemented where there is a clear purpose.” Autonomous trucks will be used where there are regular routes, he said.
When the trucks will be operating without a driver in the cab is still undecided, but Cuklev said that date was not too far off.
“I won’t give you a timeline, but we are talking more about quarters rather than years,” Cuklev said. Ending use of the safety driver is the “ultimate goal,” he added.
One hurdle to autonomous runs without a safety driver was removed Oct. 9.
Aurora Innovation said it had received Department of Transportation approval to begin using cab-mounted warning beacons as an alternative to reflective triangles.
(Aurora Innovation)
The cab-mounted flashing lights indicate when a truck is halted on the side of the road to warn other road users, eradicating the need for a human to turn any lights on or put out triangles. Observers questioned driverless trucks’ ability to safely pull over without such a tool.
Aurora is one of two self-driving technology providers VAS partnered with.
Waabi and VAS in February announced they were working together to integrate the former’s autonomous driving system, the Waabi Driver, onto factory-built VNL Autonomous tractors.
Commercial pilots in Texas began earlier in 2025, with serial production expected to start in the coming years.
To accelerate that process, Waabi hired Lior Ron in August. Ron is founder and previously CEO of Uber Freight, which ranks No. 14 on the logistics TT100.
However, it is not only about the truck, Cuklev said, warning that the ecosystem surrounding autonomous freight transportation was just as important.
VAS’ transport-as-a-service offering known as Autona/freight is currently ramping up.
VAS rolled out an online reservation program on May 2.
A lane between Dallas and Houston is the starting point for the on-highway Autona/freight program. VAS also operates a TaaS product aimed at mining and quarrying companies.
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