Despite the mooted downturn in the EU truck market this year, Volvo is to add a nightshift at its Gent plant, and, in the process, is looking for 400 additional staff, according to local radio reports.

A Volvo spokesman confirmed the move, adding that the company is eliminating overtime and the use of the Time Bank process.

Is this a case of under-capacity, or is it a case of manufacturing consolidation? Apparently, this is move is aimed at bumping up FH/FM production, so obviously Volvo is optimistic about the prospects for 07.

Or so it would seem.