Behind the Scenes: The Journey of the Aero Truck Guard for the All-New Volvo VNL

When the Volvo 2025+ VNL truck debuted, its innovative and sleek front-end design presented a unique challenge for the HERD team.

It demanded a precision-crafted semi-truck guard that matched the truck’s modern design while accommodating minimal tolerance for hood and ground clearance. 

The HERD team immediately secured a Volvo truck to begin the fitment process. This rapid response set the stage for a remarkable collaboration across multiple departments. 

 

A Fresh Approach to Design 

The All-New VNL pushed us to design a guard to complement the truck’s contours while meeting HERD’s high standards required for function, innovation, and adaptability. Thanks to changes already introduced with the Generation 3 Truck Guards, HERD was prepared to meet this challenge head-on, leveraging new techniques to improve efficiency and precision. 

This project also highlighted the need for flexibility across departments. The entire team embraced this project as an opportunity to grow and prepare for the future of the trucking industry. 

 

A 24-Hour Challenge 

After completing the initial fit-up, the Engineering team identified areas for improvement and issued an urgent request: could a revised prototype be built within 24 hours? For most production facilities, this would have been a daunting challenge. At HERD, it was an opportunity to demonstrate their dedication to solving problems quickly. 

We needed to: 

  • Refine the design to align perfectly with Volvo’s requirements. 
  • Ensure materials for the updated semi-truck front-end guard were immediately available. 
  • Fabricate and assemble the revised guard with unmatched precision. 

This round-the-clock effort highlighted HERD’s ability to deliver high-quality, custom truck guards under tight deadlines. 

 

The Final Result 

The Aero Truck Guard for the All-New Volvo VNL reflects HERD’s commitment to innovation and quality. With investments in advanced manufacturing and a forward-thinking mindset, HERD is ready to tackle future challenges as the industry evolves.  

HERD’s commitment to innovation and excellence ensures their semi-truck guards meet the needs of drivers who demand reliability and protection on the road. Whether it’s a bumper guard, grille guard, or a custom solution, HERD delivers.