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(CHESAPEAKE, Va.) – Feb. 11, 2016 – Volvo Penta of the Americas will feature its Easy Boating initiative at the 2016 Miami International Boat Show, which convenes this week at Virginia Key.

“Our vision for the boating industry is summed up in two words: Easy Boating,” said Ron Huibers, president of Volvo Penta of the Americas. “We believe that the way to grow boating is to make it easy for the new and current generation of families to explore and enjoy the boating experience. We are accomplishing this through an infusion of new and innovative technologies, more integration of on-board systems and industry-leading service and support.”

Innovation Drives Market Growth

Volvo Penta takes this concept seriously and puts continuous innovation at the center of its business strategy. The company has had an impressive list of innovations and industry firsts over the years including: sterndrive, DuoProp®, SailDrive, IPS, joystick maneuvering, Glass Cockpit and – more recently – the exciting lineup of new-generation marine gas engines and the award-winning Forward Drive.

The new gas engines leverage the latest advances in engine technology – an all-aluminum block (including exhaust manifolds and heads), variable valve timing, direct fuel injection, wideband O2 sensors and standard fresh water cooling. These add up to the biggest technical breakthrough in marine gas engine technology in decades.

“Boaters who have experienced the new engines have commented on their amazing acceleration across the full range of RPMs,” said Huibers. “We’re putting another new ‘wow factor’ into boating.”

The revolutionary Forward Drive, which took the NMMA Innovation Award at last year’s Miami International Boat Show, is another good example of the game-changing technologies pioneered by Volvo Penta. Like the company’s IPS, the Forward Drive uses forward-facing dual counter-rotating props, which pull the boat through the water instead of pushing it. This new drive allows for a wider array of activities behind the boat, including wake surfing and other water sports, as well as swimming and fishing.

“The Forward Drive enables boat builders to create a new class of boats optimized for wake surfing and water sports, but also suitable for cruising, fishing and general family fun on the water,” said Huibers.

“The bottom line is we’re putting more excitement and versatility into the boating experience. You’ll see dozens of new boat models featuring the Volvo Penta new gas engines and Forward Drive at this year’s boat shows, including Miami.”

Integration Is the Key

“Today’s boaters expect a proven and reliable experience on the water, and we are able to deliver this through our fully integrated propulsion solution, developed and backed by a single supplier,” said Huibers. “At Volvo Penta, we design, build and support a complete helm-to-prop system with industry-leading warranty and service programs to give the builder, dealer and boat owner a better experience.”

A perfect example of this concept is the Glass Cockpit, which was developed jointly by Volvo Penta and Garmin. The latest version of this integrated helm station was introduced today in a press conference at the boat show. The new generation of Glass Cockpit expands Volvo Penta’s collaboration with Garmin for an advanced monitoring and control system that makes boating easier.

Full Lifecycle Support Drives Long-Term Customer Satisfaction

Volvo Penta’s innovations also extend to after-the-sale support for its products. Last year, for instance, the company announced it was doubling the warranty on Genuine Volvo Penta Parts purchased and fitted at an authorized Volvo Penta Dealer. The extended warranty includes the labor involved in installing the product as well as the parts themselves.

“Our unswerving commitment to full-life-cycle support is one reason Volvo Penta has won 12 consecutive Customer Satisfaction Index awards from the NMMA,” said Huibers.

Technology on Parade

You can see the full range of Volvo Penta innovations, including an interactive Glass Cockpit helm station with a joystick, where you can take a virtual “test drive,” in Booth F272. In addition, you can visit one of the Volvo Penta-powered boats at Pier 1, Slips 125-132. Please note that boat demos must be scheduled in advance. Volvo Penta is also exhibiting at Yacht Miami in Ramp 15, Yacht Pavilion 1.

About Volvo Penta

Volvo Penta, with 3,500 dealers in more than 130 countries, is a global manufacturer of engines for leisure boats and commercial vessels, as well as industrial applications. The propulsion program includes diesel and gasoline engines with power outputs between 10 and 900 horsepower. Volvo Penta is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of heavy trucks, buses and construction equipment.

To learn more head to http://www.volvopenta.com/volvopenta/na/en-us/Pages/VolvoPenta.aspx

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