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Volvo CE
VOLVO CE I meet ‘Goldilocks’, the Swedish blonde (read: yellow), who’s “just right”! But there’s more to this story than a ‘meet-cute’ and it starts a bit over 24 hours earlier…
Day 1
Ren Rush visits Volvo CE in Braås, Sweden, to check out the Home of the Hauler.
72
february // March 2025
The trip started early; the closer my train got to London, the busier it became. I negotiated a swap in seats shortly before Gatwick, to ensure I didn’t miss the stop. In a dreary state, I breezed through the airport and to my gate, picking up a hot breakfast bite on the way. Before long, I was boarding my flight to Copenhagen. I played a game of “Who’s Danish, and who’s not” which essentially boils down to, “Who’s wearing mostly black clothing, and who’s not.” It’s a cliché but can steer you well (some of the time) if you’re unsure whether to say ‘Undskyld’ or ‘Excuse me’ as you squeeze past a passenger into your seat. Rising into the sky and with the aid of a tail wind, I made an early touchdown in CPH. Walking through Arrivals, I met the Volvo Welcome Team. And, if I don’t get to expand later in the article, let me say now, these guys where infinitely helpful and considerate throughout the trip from the moment I awkwardly shuffled over and blurted out my name with a question mark and stared down at their clipboard. My name was indeed on the list and soon I was sitting on the back row (where all the cool kids sit) of a VERY comfy Volvo coach, music in my earbuds, the most amazing smoked-tofu wrap in my hands, and the rising landscape to my sides - as flat Denmark quickly gave way to the more undulating terrain of Sweden.