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Latest Updates on Volvo Car CompanyDecember 12, 2016
History of VolvoNovember 12, 2016
Volvo Group vs. Volvo CorporationOctober 12, 2016
Volvo car: An insightSeptember 12, 2016
Innovation? There’s A Brand for ThatAugust 15, 2016
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About Me..
I have been interested in the auto-industry for years! Currently I own a 2002 Volvo S60 along with a 2005 Chrysler Crossfire (convertible with a Mercedes engine!)I’ve kept track of vehicle histories over several decades and several industries.More…..Author: Volvo
About Volvo
It is my pleasure to assist those who want to increase their knowledge of the auto-industry. Please let me know if you have any questions about any model, my expertise is the history, mostly, but if you have any specific auto maintenance questions as well, let me know.We have many things to thank toward the auto-industry. It’s been the very thing that’s kept us moving as a global economy.
Latest Updates on Volvo Car Company
December 12, 2016 by Volvo·0 CommentsThe Volvo Car Corporation is well known throughout the world due to its Automobiles contributions, though the company is no more the part of the Volvo Group however still it continues to manufacture some of the best cars of the world. The Volvo Car Corporation started its operations in Sweden back in the year 1927. The company dominated the world market for decades. In 1999 the company became the part of Automobile Giant ford. The corporation went well for almost 10 years when in 2010 the ford motor group also sold the company to china’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. In this article we will discuss a recent initiative taken by Volvo.
Though there have been a lot of technological initiatives taken by Volvo Car Corporation throughout the years. In this article the initiative which we will look into is more strategic rather than technological. The Volvo Car Corporation has recently decided to join forces with another emerging and popular company of the world by the name of Ubar. The initiative will be the subject of our discussion in the paragraphs below
Volvo and Ubar:
The Volvo Car Corporation and Ubar have made a critical strategic decision. The plan of both the companies is to initiate a joint project related to autonomous cars which will also include driverless cars. Both the companies have signed an agreement in this regard. The overall expense related to the project is USD 300M.
Operations:
As per the agreement the same base vehicle will be utilized by both Volvo and Ubar as far as the next stage of the car strategies (Autonomous) is concerned. According to the agreement the autonomous driving systems will be developed by Ubar and fixed into the base vehicle of Volvo. Similarly the similar base vehicle will be utilized by Volvo for its autonomous car strategy’s next stage. The next stage of Volvo involves automatic driving.
The impact of the joint Initiative:
The joint initiative of Volvo and Ubar will have a significant impact on the automobile industry. The combination of Ubar and Volvo can turn out to be a never ending partnership of industrial nature. The SPA will be used for the manufacturing and development of the base vehicle. SPA actually means Scalable Product Architecture which is one of the most cutting edge car architecture currently existing in the world we live in. The famous Volvo automobiles such as XC90 SUV, V90 premium estate and S90 premium sedan were also developed via SPA.
More about SPA:
In 2010 Volvo Car Corporation launched its industrial transformation program. The program took USD 11billion. During this program SPA was developed. The preparation of SPA took some of the most cutting edge technologies, similarly the connectivity developments and electrification was also cutting edge. The SPA was the technology which attracted the company like Ubar to Volvo.
Time will tell how this project will go? What we can say is that Volvo has never been afraid of taking initiatives and its whole history is full of innovations and strategic decisions. We hope that the collaboration will result in a positive way for the world and general customers of both the companies.VolvoIt is my pleasure to assist those who want to increase their knowledge of the auto-industry. Please let me know if you have any questions about any model, my expertise is the history, mostly, but if you have any specific auto maintenance questions as well, let me know.We have many things to thank toward the auto-industry. It’s been the very thing that’s kept us moving as a global economy.History of Volvo
November 12, 2016 by Volvo·0 CommentsVolvo Car Corporation is a well-known company which has been serving the customers all over the world with its quality cars. The company has a rich history and continuous to enjoy a pretty good market share. The cars produced by the Volvo Car Corporation are a perfect specimen of quality, design and smooth drive. In this article we will look into the brief history of Volvo and try to understand how it dominated the world for decades.
Historical Insight:
Volvo Car Corporation started as the part of famous ball bearing company of Sweden by the name of SKF. After its initial corporation with SKF, in 1927 the company started to operate as the part of Volvo Group. The company had been through many stages since its inception such as its incorporation with Ford Motor Company in the year 1999 and Geely Holding Group in the year 2010.
Some Major Achievements:
During the 1900’s the company was at its absolute zenith and dominated the world’s automobile market. The company was renowned for its affordable prices and quality cars. The first Car series which was marketed under the brand name of Volvo was OV4. The car series was an instant success during those years
Since it was a new company in the market hence the initial set of cars manufactured by Volvo was 297(the figure is of the first year). The company also successfully produced a truck in the year 1928. Though the company was on its way towards long term dominance however it actually gained public recognition after the conclusion of the famous World War II.
Current Situation:
We have already stated that in 2010 Geely Holding Group of china acquired Volvo; however the car manufacturing responsibilities are still with Ford Motor Group. The cars are designed and manufactured as per the specifications given by Volvo.
Major Innovations:
The mark of a great company is that it follows the blue ocean strategy and makes the competition irrelevant. In today’s competitive environment companies have to bring on continuous innovations. The same has been the case with Volvo. The company has never been shy of trying out things and implementing its plan. During the years Volvo has tried to give various innovations to the world we live in. some of these initiatives are as follows
The Swedish Market was caught with surprise when in the year 2005; Volvo introduced its flexi fuel models by the name of E85.
A hybrid car by the name of Volvo Recharge was introduced by the company in 2007.
In 2010 Volvo’s first ever electric car (Volvo C30 Drive Electric concept car) was exhibited
Volvo Car Corporation has been serving the people of this planet for decades now and the name of Volvo can never be sidelined as far as automobile contributions in the world are concerned. If you want to know more about Volvo then you can surely find a lot of written material on the internet as well as book stores.VolvoIt is my pleasure to assist those who want to increase their knowledge of the auto-industry. Please let me know if you have any questions about any model, my expertise is the history, mostly, but if you have any specific auto maintenance questions as well, let me know.We have many things to thank toward the auto-industry. It’s been the very thing that’s kept us moving as a global economy.Volvo Group vs. Volvo Corporation
October 12, 2016 by Volvo·0 CommentsA lot of people confuse the Volvo Group with Volvo Car Corporation. Though both companies are the flip side of the same coin and both the companies have a good customer data base all over the world however there is a difference in their operations and hierarchy. In this article we will just give a brief overview of both these companies so that the readers and general masses can avoid any kind of confusion. Though a lot can be written about both the companies however will keep our discussion brief and to the point.
The Volvo Group:
The Volvo Group is the name of a popular multinational company of Sweden which has its main headquarters in Gothenburg. The company has been in the market since 1927 and had been catering the customers all over the world through its qualitative automobiles from the last 89 years. The main founders of the company were Gustav Larson and Assar Gabrielsson. The main operations of the company are more related to the manufacturing and distribution of Automobiles like Buses, Trucks and construction equipment of different types.
The company has also made a considerable market in other high tech systems as well such as the supplies related to marine and industrial drive systems as well. The company has also invested in the provision of financial services to the masses as well. Throughout the years the company has produced several brands as well which gained quick market acceptance and popularity. Some of these brands are as follows
Volvo Trucks
Mack Trucks
Volvo Penta
Nova Bus
Volvo Financial Services
Prevost
Volvo Construction Equipment
Renault Trucks
UD Trucks
Volvo Car Corporation:
The Volvo Car Corporation also started its operations in Sweden and the year was 1927. The Company is famous for its different Car models that fascinated people from all over the world. The company was originally the subsidiary of SKF which itself was a company involved in Ball Bearing manufacturing. However in the year 1935 a company by the name of Volvo AB (which later on became Volvo Group) came into the Swedish stock exchange. The SKF Company at that point of time made a major decision and sold the majority of its shares to the Volvo AB.
The Transition:
The Volvo cars continued to enjoy the market share however it went through a major transition when in the year 1999 the Volvo Car Corporation was acquired by the ford motor company. The Volvo cars became the part and parcel of Ford’s premier automotive group. However the incorporation was short lived and in 2010 the company was again acquired by china’s Geely Holding Group.
The Volvo Group does not look after the car manufacturing operations now as the Volvo Car Corporation is a separate entity now since it selling off in the year 1999. The two companies still have the same logo and the famous Volvo Museum is also maintained by both the companies.VolvoIt is my pleasure to assist those who want to increase their knowledge of the auto-industry. Please let me know if you have any questions about any model, my expertise is the history, mostly, but if you have any specific auto maintenance questions as well, let me know.We have many things to thank toward the auto-industry. It’s been the very thing that’s kept us moving as a global economy.Volvo car: An insight
September 12, 2016 by Volvo·0 CommentsThe Volvo Car Corporation is a big name in the corporate world and is among the most popular companies of the world. The company started its operations in Sweden as SKF’s subsidiary company. SKF was a company which itself started its operations as a ball bearing manufacturer in 1907, in fact the name Volvo when translated in Latin means “I roll” which is a straight forward indicator that the company was involved in operations related to ball bearing.
The Inception of Volvo:
However a major decision was taken by the management of Volvo in the year 1927 when it detached itself from SKF and started to operate as a part of AB Volvo (better known as Volvo Group) in Sweden. The company since its inception went through several transition phases. In the year 1999 the company was purchased by the famous Ford Motor Company however this relationship also did not last long as the company was acquired by the Geely Holding Group in the year 2010.
Current Operations:
The company has been flourishing since its inception and its major target market has been the European region as majority of the company cars are sold in the European countries. According to one statistic the company enjoys sixty percent of its sales through dealerships in Europe as opposed to thirty percent in North America.
Sometime back the company shared some data with the masses. This data showed that about 100,000 Volvo cars were alone sold in United States of America during the year 2007. The company declared United States as the largest seller of Volvo cars according to this statistic.
The company continues to grow and is making good customers and market in countries like India and china as well. The company has produced many different models and type of cars since its inception. The models that were produced earlier by the company were pretty heavy and big. However the modern day Volvo Cars is well reputed due to its high performance and smooth drive. High mileage threshold and reliability are the main features of the Volvo Cars of today.
Models:
As stated above the company has produced and manufactured many car models since its inception. Each model of the company was unique in style and had something special to offer. Some of the earlier models produced by the company were
Volvo PV650 Series
Volvo 66
Volvo P1900
Volvo TR670 Series
Similarly current models of the company are
Volvo V40
Volvo S60
Volvo XC90
Volvo V90
Volvo V60 Cross Country
Controversies:
The famous club of Hong Kong by the name of Volvo night club was sued by Volvo in the year 1990. The case was related to infringement. The Law Suit became the part of media discussion until it finally concluded in an out of court settlement.
Loads of stuff can be written on Volvo Cars; however the purpose of this article was just to give insight to our readers. We hope that the article will be a source of valuable information for the students and general masses alike.VolvoIt is my pleasure to assist those who want to increase their knowledge of the auto-industry. Please let me know if you have any questions about any model, my expertise is the history, mostly, but if you have any specific auto maintenance questions as well, let me know.We have many things to thank toward the auto-industry. It’s been the very thing that’s kept us moving as a global economy.Innovation? There’s A Brand for That
August 15, 2016 by Volvo·0 CommentsSome timeago there was a meme about Volvo going around the Internet. It said: Good Guy Volvo invented the three-point seat belt and then let everyone use it. Granted, the development of the three-point belt was a big deal, and I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say we’re grateful not only for it, but for the decision to keep the patent opened.
However, the three-point belt was only one of the innovations that Volvo has brought into our lives. A quick research online showed me that the Swedish company is responsible for many others, invented or made popular by them, and I’d like to share with you my favourites. So here’s my *drum rolls* Volvo Countdown!
5: The Three-Point Seat Belt
(Okay, so I’ve talked about it before, so that why this particular piece of equipment is not number 1. But it was a game changer, and it is considered, to this day, a vital part of safety driving, so I couldn’t just leave it out).
Volvo engineer Nils Bohlin developed the seat belt we all use nowadays in 1959; after that, all Volvos exited the production line already equipped with the safety device. Volvo left the patent opened so everyone could benefit from it, which is another bonus point for the Swedes.
4: Rear-Facing Child Seat
Baby car seats and booster seats are now mandatory in many countries, and it all started in the 1960s, when companies developed researches and designs meant to improve the safety of children inside cars. It comes as no surprise that Volvo was one of the pioneers, starting as early as 1964 under the tutelage of Prof.BertilAldman, M.D. The first rear-facing child seat was sold in 1967 as an accessory for the Volvo Amazon, with booster seats following in the next years.
3: Environmentally Conscious
Nowadays it’s expect from all companies to have a plan to help save the environment – or at least not damage it much more than they have. Volvo’s interest in the issue can be traced back to 1992, when Volvo Buses began to research and develop buses that could run on natural gas and also presentedThe Environmental Concept Car(ECC), which used recycled materials and had a hybrid engine (electric and petrol).It wasalsoon that decade that the Lambda probe designed and used by Volvo made its way into everyone else’s.
2: Concept Cars
I know, I know, it’s not something Volvo invented or is distinctive to the brand, but bear with me. Volvo always comes forward with cars you and I would like to drive because it’s functional and answers our real, day-to-day needs, even if in a whimsical way. A few years ago Volvo had a team of women design their perfect car, the Your Concept Car; it was safe and comfortable, in addition to ensuring easy access to all cabin and easily maintained. To celebrate 50 years of the rear-facing child seat they unveiled the Excellence Child Seat Concept, a twist on the XC90 which substitutes the passenger seat for a child seat. The ReCharge Concept, another clean car, can run up to 100km on electricity before turning to its Flexi fuel engine.
1: Airbags
Again, not a Volvo invention, but definitely taken up a notch or two by the Swedes. While driver seat air bags were already in use, in the mid-nineties Volvo developedthe Side Impact air bag to complement the internal structure of the car; the feature once offered as optional was made standard on all Volvo cars produced after 1995.Only a few years later, in 1998, curtain air bags were designed to protect passengers both in the front and in the back seats. Once again made standard on all Volvo cars, it’s considered a more advanced feature and its the one mostly used by manufacturers nowadays.
Okay, so this is my countdown. How would yours go? What would you include or leave out? Make sure to comment bellow!VolvoIt is my pleasure to assist those who want to increase their knowledge of the auto-industry. Please let me know if you have any questions about any model, my expertise is the history, mostly, but if you have any specific auto maintenance questions as well, let me know.We have many things to thank toward the auto-industry. It’s been the very thing that’s kept us moving as a global economy.Top Six Historical Volvos
July 15, 2016 by Volvo·0 CommentsIn 1927, the first Volvo car rolled off its production line. This historic moment set in motion Volvo’s mission to produce quality automobiles, which still continues today. With 89 years of history behind them, the Volvo group has released many different vehicles. Among these cars, which ones stand the test of time? Some will be remembered forever as historic models, while others are left to fade into obscurity. Here is a selection of the top six Volvo models throughout history.
1. Volvo ÖV 4
At the top of the list stands the Volvo ÖV 4, the first Volvo car. ÖV 4 stands for “Öppen Vagn 4 cylindrar,” which translates to “Open Carriage 4 cylinders”. During production, this car’s code name was “Jacob.” With only 28 horsepower, this vehicle was revolutionary for its time but would be left in the dust by today’s Volvos. One of the 10 pre-series prototypes still exists today, and is housed in the Volvo Museum in Gothenburg, Sweden.
2. Volvo P1800
This model was released in 1961, and it is one of the first Volvo cars to be considered a sports car. This model was produced and tweaked for over a decade, with the last version of this car being released in 1973. This car has had a definite influence on the Volvo line, because later Volvo designers took pointers from this car’s design. An example of this is the all-glass rear hatch of the ES-model P1800, which was an influence to later models such as the Volvo 480
3. Volvo C70
This four-passenger, two-door compact convertible car was manufactured and sold from 1996 to 2013. Breaking Volvo’s traditionally boxy design style, this model was designed with a sleek and stylish look. It was the company’s first modern convertible, coming with a decent set of features such as heated glass rear windows and front and side airbags. Additionally, the cloth convertible top was fully automatic. In 2011, a limited edition version of this model was released, featuring 18-inch Midir wheels, a leather covered dashboard, and aluminum inlays.
4. Volvo S60
This compact executive car was first released in 2000, and has continued to see development and production since then. The first generation of this vehicle (running from 2000 to 2009) was aimed to compete with BMW’s 3-Series along with Mercedes-Benz’s C-Class. This car’s second generation began in 2010, when it was rebranded as the Volvo V60. Special police specification models of this car were developed for law enforcement use. These special versions featured an up-rated suspension, a larger specification battery and extra wiring for police equipment.
5. Volvo 164
This Volvo is a 6-cylinder, 4-door luxury sedan released in October 1968. It ran through 1975, when it was replaced by the Volvo 264. Inside, this car had a simulated wood grain dashboard along with leather seats. The front styling of the vehicle was inspired by the Volvo P1900. Under the hood, the 162 had a V8 engine. In 1973, this model was redesigned with new side and rear lamps, a new front bumper, and a new grille. In 1974, the 164 received heated seats, making it one of the first cars with this feature.
6. Volvo XC90
This vehicle is a luxury SUV, first released in 2002 and still being produced today. A car of some acclaim, the XC90 won the North American Car of the Year award in 2003, along with Motor Trend magazine’s Sport/Utility of the Year award. Top Gear’s Jeremy Clark has even commented on this model, praising its practicality. Although it has gotten many facelifts over the years, the original XC90 model is still sold in China as the “XC Classic.”VolvoIt is my pleasure to assist those who want to increase their knowledge of the auto-industry. Please let me know if you have any questions about any model, my expertise is the history, mostly, but if you have any specific auto maintenance questions as well, let me know.We have many things to thank toward the auto-industry. It’s been the very thing that’s kept us moving as a global economy.5 Amazing Volvo Intellisafe Features
June 30, 2016 by Volvo·0 CommentsVolvo has recently unveiled a new array of safety features for their vehicles under the tag of Intellisafe. Making a bold statement, Volvo says that their vision is for no-one to be seriously injured or killed by a new Volvo vehicle by 2020. Can they accomplish this goal? Based on the innovative advancements of the Intellisafe system, they most likely can. This set of features covers all aspects of the driving experience, increasing driver safety at every level. Volvo has made some truly amazing advancement in this area which will keep drivers safe for years to come. Here are the top five features of this set:
1. Adaptive Cruise Control
This feature adds convenience, along with a higher level of safety. Any highway driver knows the value of cruise control, allowing you to relax by keeping the vehicle at a consistent speed. However, the driver generally still has to manually control the speed of the car. Volvo’s Adaptive Cruise Control eliminates this need, automatically adjusting your cruise control speed based on your distance from the car in front of you. This system maintains a safe distance between vehicles without driver control, making it easier to relax on longer journeys.
2. Driver Alert Control
One of the biggest dangers to drivers is impaired driving. Alcohol and electronic devices are not the only factors that contribute to impair driving: Drivers are often impaired by their lack of sleep. Volvo’s Intellisafe has an answer for this problem with its Driver Alert Control, which monitors your driving and alerts you if you become drowsy or inattentive at the wheel. If the system notices your distracted driving, it gets your attention and then suggests that you take a break. It even automatically finds the nearest rest stop and directs you there! This kind of simple driving aid can make a big difference in maintaining safety on the roadway.
3. Lane Keeping Aid
Volvo Intellisafe has many checks in place to maintain your safety. If you become distracted and start to drift out of your lane, cars with this feature will automatically steer themselves back into the lane. This feature is very useful, as many accidents are caused by cars changing lanes, intentionally or unintentionally. This feature will help reduce the number of these collisions, and account for any inattentive drivers. The great aspect of these Intellisafe systems is their effectiveness for all drivers involved: They protect nearby drivers even if they don’t have a Volvo vehicle.
4. Blind Spot Information System
This feature is another innovative away provides safety and awareness to Volvo drivers. Through a small light on each side mirror, this system informs drivers about any vehicles in their blind spot. Due to the shape and size of a car, there is a portion of roadway next to the car that cannot be seen using mirrors. Using radar technology, the car monitors your blind spot and activates the light when a vehicle enters that zone. This allows drivers confidently change lanes without needing to worry about their blind spots. This feature hopefully will reduce the common occurrence of blind spot collisions.
5. Active High Beam Control
This feature again gives comfort and convenience while making the roadways safer for everyone. By automatically managing the brightness of your headlights, this system takes the stress out of nighttime driving. With this feature the car’s headlights default to the highest setting, and automatically decrease their brightness if it detects anyone on the roadway ahead of you. With this feature, Volvo drivers no longer have to worry about keeping their headlights at the right level; the car can do it without any help.
VolvoIt is my pleasure to assist those who want to increase their knowledge of the auto-industry. Please let me know if you have any questions about any model, my expertise is the history, mostly, but if you have any specific auto maintenance questions as well, let me know.We have many things to thank toward the auto-industry. It’s been the very thing that’s kept us moving as a global economy.Get To Know the History of Volvo
April 18, 2016 by Volvo·0 CommentsIn 1927, a Swedish automobile company was founded called Volvo. They are part of the Volvo Car Corporation and is currently based in Sweden.
The very first Volvo car was assembled in April of 1927. The first car rolled off the assembly line and started the production of one of the most well-known brands across the world.
Only 280 cars were built that year. The first truck was known as the “Series 1” and debuted in January 1928.
Volvo comes from the Latin, “I Roll” and the company was originally going to manufacture ball bearings.
Overall, the 1920s was the breakthrough era for the auto industry in the US and Europe. The interest and demand of cars increased dramatically during this time and this helped fuel the impact and innovations Volvo was able to participate throughout Europe.
In the 1930s, the model PV655 was created. It was unique in that it had a grill placed on the radiator. This was the first time this happened in the auto industry.
It was an immediate success and attracted attention outside the country.
By 1930, Volvo sold close to 700 cars.
In this same decade, PV36 was created. The intent of the PV36 was to be a luxury model and the series only sold 500 cars.
In the 1940s, the model PV60 came out, designed to have a more American look with more space and a larger frame.
In addition to that, Volvo created a more European style car, the PV444, having a smaller frame. Despite its European style, it held American attributes as well. This combination helped Volvo achieve a high level of success.
The Volvo Sport, P1900 was met with a poor response. The demand for the Volvo Sport created only 67 cars. This model was discontinued in one year.
During World War II and through modern times, Volvo manufactured military vehicles and equipment for the Swedish Army.
During the 50s, Volvo moved towards internationalization. Introduction on the US market was incredibly important. Safety was also important and Volvo became the first to develop a three point seat belt system.
The first Volvos arrived in the United States in 1955
In the 1960s, the P1800 went into production.
Volvo was given awards for the P1800given its attractive design and was also designated car of the year between 1963 and 1964.
In 1964, a new plant was opened and had an estimated capacity of 110,000.
In August of 1966, a new car model was presented called the Volvo 144. Safety was extremely advanced with this model.
In the 1970s, the Volvo 164 E was presented, a vehicle with electronic fuel injection and 175 hp.
It was also in 1977 that Volvo celebrated its 50th anniversary. To celebrate this, they brought out the limited editions 244 and 264, called Jubilee. A car with silver metallic and blue velour/plush seats.
The 80s brought out the first turbocharged car, the Volvo 240 Turbo with a B2 ET engine.
The 90s brought out the 940/960. The Volvo 960 an innovativedriveline with an in-line, six cylinder, three-liter engine and an electronically controlled automatic transmission.
The Volvo received many distinction for its work on safety, and this continued in the 90s. They were recognized for best technical innovations and were given an award for their integrated child booster cushion.
The early 2000s brought about prosperity for Volvo as close to half a million cars were sold in one year. A company record and they brought out the Volvo S60.
Ford purchased Volvo Car Corporation and it became part of Ford Moto Company’s Premier Automotive Group, along with Jaguar, Aston Martin and Land Rover. Once this purchase occurred, the company grew in its range of vehicles significantly.
When the global economic crisis of 2008 threatened the US automakers, Swedish authorities became concerned about the fate of Volvo if Ford would file for bankruptcy. These concerns mounted after repeated mass-layoffs at Volvo. Ford announced in December 2008 that it was considering selling Volvo Cars. Geely Holding Group, a Chinese company, ultimately took over Volvo from the Swedish automaker.VolvoIt is my pleasure to assist those who want to increase their knowledge of the auto-industry. Please let me know if you have any questions about any model, my expertise is the history, mostly, but if you have any specific auto maintenance questions as well, let me know.We have many things to thank toward the auto-industry. It’s been the very thing that’s kept us moving as a global economy.Let’s Talk… Volvo
April 15, 2016 by Volvo·0 CommentsVolvo is turning 89 this year and there is not time like the present to go over the company’s many accomplishments. After all, staying fresh and relevant when you’re almost a hundred is not a small feat!
It Starts With an Idea
It all began in 1924, when Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larsondecided to design a car after the Ford T had been discontinued, a car made for the Swedish roads. And so it was that the first car, the ÖV4, left the factory in Hisingen, Göteborg on April 14, 1927 and this was chosen as Volvo’s official foundation date.
But it wasn’t the car what turned Volvo from an idea into a profitable company: the next year, 1928, saw the launch offirst series-manufactured trucks, which sold out in only six months. The following decade saw the expansion of the company, with the production of different truck models and the introduction of buses on the market, as well as the acquisition of Penta, an internal combustion engine manufacturer, in 1935.
The World War Breaks Out Again
Despite the War – to which Volvo responded by inventing a producer-gas unit and displaying the TVA, a heavy-duty high-mobility vehicle designed for the military in 1939 – the company continued to grow during the 1940s. Over the next ten years Volvo would introduce new models of cars, trucks and buses, in addition to the new member of the family: the tractor. Launched in 1946, it took only two years for Volvo to become a well-established tractor manufacturer.
The world post-War was rapidly changing, and it reflected on the sales: 1948 was the year in which, for the first time, Volvo produced more passenger cars than any other vehicles. This was due to, among other factors, the launch of PV444 – being sold at only SEK 4,800, it’s reckoned as “the first people’s car” by the company. The Volvo Group also acquired a majority shareholding in SvenskaFlygmotor, now Volvo Aero, and KöpingsMekaniskaVerkstad, an engineering company that supplied gears and gearboxes.
A Safety-Oriented Company
It was during the 1950s that Volvo introduced the three-point seat belt to the world. Based on a model patented by Americans Roger W. Griswold and Hugh DeHaven, the seat belt was developed by Volvo engineer Nils Bohlin – who also conducted several studies to prove the efficiency of the mechanism. Being safety one of the main concerns of the company, not only all Volvo cars manufactured since 1959 come equipped with the three-point belt, but the company’s made the patent for the design open and available to all vehicle manufacturers.
Volvo’s devotion to safety would land them two awards in the 1970s: an international recognition for safety through collision and road safety tests and the Don Safety Trophy, in Great Britain. Another award would be earned in the same period, the first of many: Truck of the Year.
A New Issue: The Environment
In 1992 the UN called for a Conference to discuss environmental issues such as pollution, climate change, poisonous waste, etc. The goal here was to promote the search for more environment-friendly resources, and once again Volvo could be found ahead of the game: heavy investments were made by Volvo Buses in order to design vehicles that run on natural gas and the Environmental Concept Car, ECC, with hybrid power, was presented for the world press. Over the next few years the ECB, Environmental Concept Bus, and the ECT, Environmental Concept Truck, were presented to the world.
The Present
These last few years have seen Volvo maintaining its position as a top seller manufacturer of vehicles and mechanical parts. Its continuing commitment to the company’s core values – i.e., safety, environmental protection and sustainability, and social responsibility – has awarded Volvo yet more prizes and certifications. Its Concept Cars show Volvo’s passion for technological innovation and displays how acutely tuned to the needs of people this company is.
Congratulations on your 90th anniversary, Volvo. And here’s to another hundred more!VolvoIt is my pleasure to assist those who want to increase their knowledge of the auto-industry. Please let me know if you have any questions about any model, my expertise is the history, mostly, but if you have any specific auto maintenance questions as well, let me know.We have many things to thank toward the auto-industry. It’s been the very thing that’s kept us moving as a global economy.State of Volvo Car Company
March 30, 2016 by Volvo·0 CommentsOriginally a Swedish owned automobile manufacturer, Ford Motors bought Volvo Car Company in 2000. With lagging sales and in trying to deal with the much more pressing matters of the U.S. recession, Ford sold Volvo to the Chinese holding company of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co, Ltd. in 2010. With offices and design centers around the world and assembly plants in Malaysia and California, the Volvo Car Company is looking to regain its reputation as a car company centered on its customer.
In 2015, Volvo Car Company sold a total of 503,127 cars. This was the first time in Volvo’s history that more than half a million cars were sold. With a global market share of only 2 percent, Volvo is considered a small car producer. According to MarketWatch, car sales in China made up the largest market (16 percent) of the total sales volume in 2014, followed by Sweden (14 percent) and the U.S. (14 percent), with other European countries bringing in single digits of the market share.
Lex Kerssemakers has been named new Senior Vice President, The Americas Region and President and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America. Volvo is hoping that this leadership change will give it the shot in the arm it needs to excel. In 2014, Volvo’s U.S. Market share was a dismal .3 percent, selling only 56,000 vehicles. Kerssemakers plan is very simple; bring car sales back to at least 100,000 cars per year. When that goal should be realized hasn’t been published. What is very clear is that Kerssemakers and Zhejiang Geely are very determined to bring Volvo back from utter death.
Since Zhejiang Geely bought Volvo from Ford in 2010 they have invested $11billion dollars into manufacturing a new line of automobiles. At first glance, the new vehicles do not look much different than the older versions previously designed and built by Ford. Yet, there are some undeniable differences not easily seen by buyers. These differences will greatly affect the bottom line of the company and give it the ability to increase market share.
Better Proportioned and Better Materials
The redesigned XC90 may look like its predecessor, but once inside buyers will notice a better proportioned interior with increased attention to the interior materials.
Significant Cuts in Cost
Since the XC90 will share major components with eight other new Volvo models coming out by 2019, significant advantages will be seen in parts cost and speed of the manufacturing process.
Advanced Safety Features
Volvo is expecting to regain market share by returning to its emphasis in automobile safety. The plan to increase safety to its former glory years includes two new systems: an active cruise control that accelerates and brakes automatically in traffic to avoid collisions, and a system that prevents drivers from accidentally turning into oncoming traffic.
Volvo is expected to roll out several models, in addition to the redesigned XC90, in 2015. These include the V60 Cross Country Wagon and the S60, a long-wheelbase sedan it unveiled at the Detroit auto show.
In an historic announcement, Volvo showed the world and the U.S. automobile market that it was well on its way to meeting their goals. This year, for the first ever, a Chinese manufactured car will be sold in the United States. The Volvo S60 Inscription, a luxury-minded version of Volvo’s top-selling sedan, is expected to land on U.S soil by mid-year.VolvoIt is my pleasure to assist those who want to increase their knowledge of the auto-industry. Please let me know if you have any questions about any model, my expertise is the history, mostly, but if you have any specific auto maintenance questions as well, let me know.We have many things to thank toward the auto-industry. It’s been the very thing that’s kept us moving as a global economy.Posts navigation
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