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For other uses, see Volvo (disambiguation) . Volvo Car Corporation is the luxury car maker using the Volvo Trademark .
Volvo Cars, or ''Volvo Personvagnar'', is a well-known Swedish Automobile maker founded in 1927 in the city of Gothenburg in Sweden . Volvo was formed as a subsidiary company to the Ball Bearing maker SKF . It was not until 1935 when Volvo AB was introduced on the Swedish stock exchange that SKF sold most of the shares in the company. Volvo Cars was owned by AB Volvo until 1999 , when it was acquired by the Ford Motor Company and placed in its Premier Automotive Group . Volvo is a premium manufacturer and produces luxury models ranging from SUVs, wagons, and sedans to compact executive sedans and coupes. With 2,500 dealerships worldwide in 100 markets; 60 percent of sales come from Europe, 30 percent from North America, and the other 10 percent is from the rest of the world. Volvo cars have a reputation for comfort, solidity, safety and longevity. Older models were often compared to tractors, partially because Volvo AB was and still is a manufacturer of heavy equipment, earlier wagon won top honors at the 1995 British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) . Historically brand loyalty is significantly higher among Volvo owners versus other automobile manufacturers. Owners are often proud of achieving prodigious mileages UK High Mileage register Volvo Club UK with one well documented 1965 Volvo 1800s having been driven over 2.6 million miles 2 million mile 1800s Palo Alto Daily News (August, 26 2007). According to some figures the average age of a Volvo being discarded is second only to Mercedes at 19.8 years SSB Age at scrapping figures. Reliability is considered better than average Reliability index and in the USA Volvo dealers are listed by Forbes as one of the best among all car makers (9th)http://www.forbesautos.com/slideshows/advice/toptens/2007/dealership_experience/best-dealers-all.htmland luxury car makers (6th).http://www.forbesautos.com/advice/toptens/best-luxury-dealers-2007.html. HISTORY Volvo company came about in Gothenburg, Sweden in the year 1927. The company was founded by SKF as a subsidiary company 100% owned by SKF. Assar Gabrielsson was appointed the managing director and Gustav Larson as the technical manager.
Despite this, Volvo's originally had a reputation for high death rates in the event of an accident. This led to a drastic overhaul of Volvo's safety approaches and an aggressive marketing campaign to brand the cars as 'the safest on the road'. This perception branding has been so successful that "safety" is now the first word most associate with Volvo. The trademark Volvo was first registered by SKF the '''11th May 1915''' with the intention to use it for a special series of ball bearing for the American market, but it was never used for this purpose. SKF trademark as it looks today was used instead for all the SKF-products. Some pre-series of Volvo-bearings stamped with the brand name 'Volvo' were manufactured but was never released to the market and it was not until 1927 that the trademark was used again, now as a trademark and company name for an automobile. Volvo - derived from the Latin for "I roll," was thought to be a good trademark for a ball bearing as well as for an automobile. The first Volvo car left the assembly line April 14, 1927 was called Volvo ÖV 4 . After this the young company produced closed top and cabriolet vehicles, which were designed to hold strong in the Swedish climate and terrain. The Volvo symbol is an ancient chemistry sign for iron. The iron sign is used to symbolize the strength of iron used in the car as Sweden is known for its quality iron. The diagonal line (a strip of metal) across the grille came about to hold the actual symbol, a circle with an arrow, in front of the cooler. In the registration application for Volvo logotype in 1927, they simple made a copy of the entire cooler for ÖV4, viewed from the front. In 1964 Volvo opened its Torslanda plant in Sweden, which currently is the one of its largest production sites (chiefly large cars and SUV). Then in 1965 the Ghent, Belgium plant was opened, which is the company's second largest production site (chiefly small cars). Finally in 1989 the Uddevalla plant in Sweden was opened, which is now jointly operated by Volvo Car Corporation and Pininfarina of Italy. estate]] ]] drives away after a large oak tree falls on the hood.]] SAFETY Volvo cars have always evoked a reputation for , which became standard on all Volvo cars in 1959http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/safety/articles/43023/article.html. Volvo was the first company to produce cars with padded dashboards starting in late 1956 with their , it comes with extra stiff door-mounted inflatable side curtains (the first of its kind in a convertible). In 2006 Volvo's Personal Car Communicator (PCC) remote control has been launched as an optional feature with the all new Volvo S80 . This feature is fairly new to the automotive industry. Before a driver gets to their car, they are able to review the security level and know whether they have set the alarm and if the car is locked. Additionally, there is a heartbeat sensor that warns if someone is hiding inside the car. The heartbeat sensor is rumored to also work with the SOS feature of Volvo's new telematics system. The all new Volvo S80 is also the first Volvo model to feature Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Collision Warning and Brake Support ( CWBS ). By the mid-1990s there was little to distinguish Volvo from some other manufacturers (notably had to be stopped because it did not fulfill US safety standards. A US study showed that Volvo's safety have been slipping according to Russ Rader, a spokesman for the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety . IIHS Crash Test Results KSBI-TV: Top 10 Safest Cars Aftonbladet: Säkra Saab kör om Volvo i krocktest Aftonbladet: Här hänger inte Volvo med längre In 2007, Finland’s Safety Technology Authority (TUKES) concluded that the structure of Volvo 440 and 460 automobiles manufactured between 1993 and 1995 had caused several cases of flare-ups during refueling. Dan Johnston, a Volvo spokesman, denied that the company's vehicles are any less safe than the Institute's top-rated vehicles, adding that Since 2004 all Volvo models except for the C70 and C30 are available with an all wheel drive system developed by Haldex of Sweden. {Link without Title} Even in recent years Volvo Cars have still managed to maintain their high class safety ratings as seen in test results from the IIHS . The Volvo XC90, S80,S40, and C70 all score top scores in these rated crash tests. Even although Volvo Car Corp is owned by the Ford Motor Company, the safety systems of Volvo are still made standard on all of their vehicles. Volvo has patented all of their safety innovations that would include SIPS , WHIPS , ROPS , DSTC , IC , and body structures to name a few. Some of these systems have shown up in other Ford vehicles in related forms to that of Volvo systems only because Volvo has licenced the FOMOCO and other PAG members to utilize these features. Safety milestones
Ford Motor Company - Featured Story: Volvo Celebrates 80 Years of Safety ACQUISITIONS ]] In the early 1970s, Volvo acquired the passenger car division of the Dutch company DAF , and marketed their small cars as Volvos before releasing the Dutch-built Volvo 340 , which went on to be one of the biggest-selling cars in the UK market in the 1980s. Volvo Group, as one of the largest manufacturers of commercial vehicles in the world, took the initiative to sell its automobile manufacturing in 1998 in order to fully focus its efforts on the market for commercial vehicles. Ford, on the other hand saw advantages in acquiring a profitable prestige mid-size European automobile manufacturer, well renowned for its safety aspects, as an addition to its Premier Automotive Group . The buyout of Volvo Cars was announced on January 28 , 1998 , and in the following year an acquisition was completed at a price of $6.45 billion USD . As a result of the Divestiture , the Volvo Trademark is now utilized by two separate companies:
Volvo Car Corporation is a part of the FoMoCo PAG along side Jaguar and Land Rover of Britain. Since its acquisition into the PAG the company has grown in its range of vehicle and year by year is increasingly becoming a larger competitor in the luxury segment. Volvo has not reached the stellar heights of world luxury leaders Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar or even the sporty/luxury manufacturers BMW and Audi . Volvo competes more evenly with Acura , Cadillac , Lincoln and Saab . Another automotive rumour news, BMW had plan to acquire Volvo Cars . Insiders from the three companies have confirmed that BMW has requested an official financial look up on Volvo, and recently that informal talks between Ford and BMW has began for a possible buyout. While Ford is desperately selling the automotive marques, due to financial reasons, which what Ford did to Aston Martin recently. On June 11, 2007 even after Ford denied the claims of a buy out with BMW . Ford Motor Company announced publicly that all of its PAG members are on the chopping block for sale at this point in time. Even earlier this year Ford first claimed that none of its PAG members were safe from a potential divestment. The entire PAG brand is expected to be divested in time in order to keep the dying Ford brands which would include Ford , Mercury , and Lincoln. As Ford publicly announced the Jaguar , Land Rover , and Volvo Cars brands are all up for sales at this point. The rumours surrounding the possible sale of Volvo Car Corp to BMW has once again surfaced in early July. Sources from within Volvo financial arm in Gothenburg have stated that the German brand had informal extensive talks with Volvo executives about a real selling price of the company. A more recent acquisition was stated in mid June in Sweden that the Volvo car corporation is to be bought from the Ford PAG along with the assisted help of AB Volvo. As lately as July 3, 2007 a confirmed suitor for the crown jewel of the European brand Volvo Cars has stepped forward as a potential buyer to the rights to use the Volvo Cars name in vehicle manufacture. A wealthy Swedish family that owns Investor AB, a wealthy public investment firm of Sweden, and a 11% share interest of Scania is now entering the ring as a potential Volvo owner. This take over is seen by many of the automotive analysts to be the most practical at this point in time. This is because Volvo is the only worth while company in the Ford garage at this point. Also previous takeover from Renualt and BMW are seen to be unpractical because Volvo has become so integrated with Ford, and much would be lost by Ford and the new owners in the sales of the Swedish auto company. This Swedish Family ownership would go off unhooked as it would allow Volvo to be Swedish only again, platforms can still be shared with Ford, Ford will get much needed revenue that Jaguar and Land Rover cannot generate in a sale, and entire Volvo Cars work force would prefer Swedish ownership. According to Autocar UK magazine, stated that one of the Ford's spokesman said Volvo is not ready for sale yet, is still under observation. But early August of 2007 revealed another revolution to the Ford PAG sale saga. Ford announced that Volvo is to be sold before the end of 2007. The most likely new owners of Volvo will be the Wallenberg Family that owns Investor AB of Sweden, or BMW of Germany. SPONSORSHIP Volvo entered the European Touring Car Championship with the Volvo 240 in the mid-80s. The cars also entered the Guia Race, part of the Macau Grand Prix in 1985, 1986 and 1987, winning in both 1985 and 1986. Volvo also entered the British Touring Car Championship in the 90s with Tom Walkinshaw Racing. This partnership was responsible for the controversial 850 Estate racing car, which was only rendered uncompetitive when the FIA allowed the use of aerodynamic aids in 1995. TWR then built and ran the works 850 Saloon, six wins in 1995 and five wins in 1996, and S40, one wins in 1997 in the BTCC. In 1998, TWR Volvo won the British Touring Car Championship with Rickard Rydell driving the S40R. The Volvo Trademark is now jointly owned (50/50) by Volvo Group and Volvo Car Corporation. One of the main promotional activities for the brand is the sailing Race Volvo Ocean Race , formerly known as the ''Whitbread Around the World Race''. There is also a Volvo Baltic Race and Volvo Pacific Race , and Volvo likes to encourage its affluent image by sponsoring golf tournaments all over the world including major championship events called the Volvo Masters and Volvo China Open . Volvo sponsored the Volvo Ocean Race, the world’s leading round-the-world yacht race for the first time in 2001 – 2002. The next edition will take place as of 2008. Volvo has also had a long-standing commitment to the ISAF and is involved in the Volvo/ISAF World Youth Sailing Championships since 1997. CAR MODELS ]] ]] ]] Early years
Three-numbered Volvos Starting with the 140 series in 1968, Volvo used a three number system for their cars. The first number was the series, the second number the number of cylinders and the third number the number of doors; so a 164 was a 1-series with a 6-cylinder engine and 4 doors. However there were exceptions to this rule—the 780 for example, came with turbocharged I4 and naturally-aspirated V6 Petrol engines and I6 diesel engines, but never an eight cylinder as the 8 would suggest. Similarly, the 760 often was equipped with a turbocharged I4 engine and the Volvo 360 only had four cylinders. Some 240GLT had a V6 engine. The company dropped the meaning of the final digit for later cars like the 740, but the digit continued to identify cars underhood on the identification plate. Volvo VIN Numbers had always been give YV1 symbolizing Sweden, Volvo, and Volvo Car Corp
Models with current denomination Today, the company uses a system of letters denoting body style followed by the series number. S stands for Saloon or Sedan , C stands for Coupé or Convertible and V stands for ''versatile'' or Estate Car . XC stands for ''cross country'' originally added to a more rugged V70 model as the V70XC and indicates All Wheel Drive paired with a raised suspension to give it a mock SUV look. Volvo would later change the name to the XC70 in keeping with its car naming consistent with the XC90. So a V50 is an estate ("V") that is smaller than the V70. Originally, Volvo was planning a different naming scheme. S and C were to be the same, but "F", standing for flexibility, was to be used on station wagons. When Volvo introduced the first generation S40 and V40 at Frankfurt in 1994, they were announced as the S4 and F4. However, Audi complained that it had inherent rights to the S4 name, since it names its sporty vehicles "S", and the yet-introduced sport version of the Audi A4 would have the S4 name. Volvo agreed to add a second digit, so the vehicles became the S40 and F40. However, that led to a complaint from Ferrari , who used the Ferrari F40 name on their legendary sports car. This led to Volvo switching the "F" to "V", for versatile.
Concept cars
PRODUCTION LOCATIONS
Assembly locations around the world:
Volvo Cars have previously had production facilities on these locations:
ENGINE TYPES Volvo is one of few automobile manufacturers that use in line or straight engines in their production vehicles. Volvo is also very famous for the application of the in line 5 cylinder engine to its vehicle line up since its introduction in 1993 in the Volvo 850 . See Also: List of Volvo engines
TRANSMISSIONS Volvo transmissions in the past were made by the ZF Friedrichshafen company, but now the transmissions are co-developed with Aisin of Japan. Volvo also uses the exclusive name of their manual/ automatic transmission called Geartronic .
SALES Volvo Cars sales during 2005 ( 2004 ). Source: DN By market 1. United States 123575 (139155) 2. Sweden 52696 (51464) 3. United Kingdom 38307 (40159) 4. Germany 35035 (38085) 5. Italy 20533 (19390) 6. Netherlands 18879 (19225) 7. Spain 18335 (15925) 8. Japan 13427 (13919) 9. Belgium 12638 (12929) 10. Canada 11651 (11651) All markets: 443947 (456224) By model 1. XC90 85994 2. V50 83202 3. S40 75136 5. S60 62528
TRIVIA drives a Volvo XC90 http://www.forbesautos.com/advice/toptens/billionaire/04-prince_alwaleed.html. SEE ALSO REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINKS
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