Volvo first looked at the UK market in 1960, but considered it too risky although heavy industry, particularly in central Scotland, was prospering at that time and, as is the case today, road haulage cornered the freight market due to its reliability and door to door service.
When Scottish haulier Jim McKelvie sold his business and decided in the quantum role reversal of selling rather than running truck and, conscious of the fact that Britain was Europe’s largest truck market, he took a shine to the high quality standards in the Volvo CV range and in 1967 persuaded the Swedes to appoint him importer for the UK.
Assisted by the financial and manufacturing muscle of Jim Keyden, Jim McKelvie started the ball rolling with one model; the F86 4x2 tractor unit with an eight speed synchro-box and a little 6.7 litre turbo diesel developing 210bhp.
Also a dealer network was formed based on service, availability of parts and an emergency telephone number for drivers – all of which were ahead of their time. Ailsa Trucks Ltd was duly formed with headquarters at Barrhead and the 165 tractor units sold in 1967 were imported through Grangemouth.
The first vehicle was sold to Thomas Hutchinson of Wark, Northumberland and it is pleasing to record that this very vehicle has been restored and now graces Volvo’s museum in Gothenburg. Once the F86 had become established, Ailsa brought in the larger and heavier F88 with a 9.6 litre engine (260bhp) and plated for 38 tonnes became major early buyers of the Volvo marque. These included W H Malcolm, Yuill & Dodds, Strathclyde Heavy Haulage, Stevenson Brothers of Avonbridge, Alex Anderson at Bo’ness, Strathclyde Buses, Pickfords, Shell Oils, Strathclyde Fire Brigade, Eddie Stobart, Raeburn Brick, Roadferry and Cumnock based haulier T French & Son.
The quality of the expanding Dealer network and the first-pick availability of parts soon brought home to operators that the Volvo organisation in the UK and Ireland were bringing them levels of service and quality that had not been evidenced from other Marques.
The early 70’s however were notable for industrial disputes and raging inflation and the adverse Exchange Rate with the Swedish Kronor created a tremendous pressure on the fledgling Ailsa Trucks followed in 1975 by taking total ownership.
However, during this period the Irvine factory had opened and in 1976 the Head-Office function at Barrhead moved to Irvine leaving the Distributorship of Ailsa Trucks (Northern) Ltd.
The 80’s brought further expansion in Scotland with the opening of a dealership in Blantyre.
In March 1997 Ailsa bought out the Eurotruck Group which had the Volvo franchise in Broxburn, Perth, Aberdeen and Inverness and along with Barrhead and Blantyre formed a new Company Volvo Truck and Bus (Scotland) Limited.
A Parts only dealer point was opened in Dunfermline in 1999.
New Dealership - Ayr opened July 2003
New Dealership - Glasgow West opened September 2003