Highlight Motor Group Drives Future with Landmark Volvo VNL Truck Order

GREENSBORO, NC – January 07, 2026 – In a move that underscores a significant investment in technology, safety, and driver welfare, Highlight Motor Group has taken delivery of 125 all-new Volvo VNL 860 trucks. The delivery, confirmed by Volvo Trucks North America, represents the largest single order of the next-generation VNL model in Canada to date and signals a pivotal moment for the Canadian long-haul industry.

The new trucks are already being integrated into Highlight’s extensive operations, which span long-haul routes across Canada and the United States. This substantial fleet modernization goes beyond routine replacement, positioning the company at the forefront of a sector grappling with driver shortages, rising operational costs, and increasing pressure for environmental sustainability.

“Highlight Motor Group has been a strong long-term partner of Volvo Trucks, and this order is a clear demonstration of their commitment to safety, efficiency, and their drivers,” said Matthew Blackman, managing director for Canada at Volvo Trucks North America. “The all-new Volvo VNL is designed to change everything about the long-haul driving experience, and we are proud to see Highlight leading the way in Canada.”

A Strategic Bet on Modernization and Growth

Founded in 2007 with a focus on less-than-truckload services between the Greater Toronto Area and the New York/New Jersey corridor, Highlight Motor Group has since evolved into a major force in North American logistics. The company’s strategy of maintaining one of the industry's youngest fleets, with a rigid four-to-five-year refreshment cycle, is central to its operational philosophy. This latest acquisition, however, is its most assertive step yet.

While an order of 125 units is a fraction of the roughly 30,000 Class 8 trucks sold annually in Canada, it represents a profound capital investment by a single fleet in a brand-new flagship model. This move is a calculated bet that investing in top-tier equipment will yield substantial returns in efficiency, safety, and talent retention. The majority of Highlight's existing power units are already Volvo models, indicating a deep-seated trust in the brand that has now culminated in this landmark order.

“Safety has always been our number one priority, and Volvo shares that same value,” stated Kirk Kalinitchenko, president and chief executive officer of Highlight Motor Group. His comments frame the purchase not as an expense, but as a crucial investment aligned with the company’s core principles.

Tackling the Industry's Human Capital Crisis

The Canadian trucking industry continues to face a critical and persistent driver shortage. An aging workforce and the demanding nature of long-haul trucking make attracting and retaining skilled professionals a primary challenge for fleet operators. Highlight Motor Group’s investment directly confronts this issue by focusing on the driver experience.

The Volvo VNL 860 has been engineered with hundreds of enhancements aimed at improving life on the road. For drivers who spend weeks away from home, the truck’s cab is both an office and a living space. Kalinitchenko emphasized this point, noting the goal was to provide drivers with “safe, modern equipment, that feels like both a comfortable workspace and home on the road.”

Feedback from drivers who have tested the new model has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly concerning the advanced safety features and ergonomic design. By prioritizing driver comfort and well-being, Highlight is not only improving working conditions but also creating a powerful recruitment tool. In a competitive labor market, a state-of-the-art truck can be the deciding factor for a driver choosing an employer.

Advanced Technology at the Core of Safety and Design

The all-new Volvo VNL is more than just an incremental update; it is a ground-up redesign recognized for its innovation, even earning the prestigious Red Dot Award for Product Design in 2025. At the heart of its appeal are sophisticated technologies that enhance both safety and performance.

The trucks delivered to Highlight are equipped with Volvo Active Driver Assist Plus, an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) that includes features like lane keep support, pedestrian detection, and automated emergency braking. These systems act as a digital co-pilot, mitigating the risk of human error and providing an essential safety net on congested highways. This suite of active safety features was a central factor in Highlight’s purchasing decision, aligning perfectly with its safety-first mandate.

This technological leap is transforming the very nature of long-haul trucking, moving it from a purely manual endeavor to one augmented by intelligent systems that reduce driver fatigue and prevent accidents. The investment represents a commitment to protecting not only Highlight's drivers but also the public with whom they share the road.

The Green Light for Efficiency and Sustainability

Beyond safety and comfort, the new Volvo VNL 860 delivers a powerful financial and environmental argument. The model boasts up to a 10 percent improvement in fuel efficiency compared to its predecessors, a figure that translates into massive operational benefits when scaled across a fleet of 125 trucks.

Based on an average annual mileage of 110,000 miles per truck and current fuel prices, this efficiency gain could save Highlight Motor Group an estimated $769,000 USD in fuel costs each year. Simultaneously, this reduction in consumption will cut the fleet’s carbon footprint by approximately 1,957 metric tons of CO2 annually—equivalent to removing over 425 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles from the road.

For a company whose operations span thousands of miles daily, these gains are critical. They provide a buffer against volatile fuel prices, a significant operating expense in the trucking industry, while also advancing Highlight's corporate sustainability goals. This dual benefit of economic savings and environmental responsibility demonstrates how modern fleet technology can align profitability with planetary health, setting a new benchmark for the Canadian logistics sector.