"The car is driven by people. Therefore, the guiding principle of everything we do must be-safety. "
-Arthur Gabrielson and Gustav Larsen
Overview of Volvo Car Company
Volvo logo
The name Volvo is Latin, which means "rolling forward". It was the brand name of a ball bearing before it was used in the first Volvo V4 on April 14th, 1927. The nameplate of Volvo car is a symbol of steel-a circle (iron mark) with an oblique arrow. The design idea of this logo originated from the Swedish steel industry which is famous for its durability. Since then, this steel symbol has become the representative of Volvo all over the world. For Volvo, this modern corporate brand logo also represents Volvo’s commitment to safety, quality and environmental protection.
Metal logo of Volvo car
The most competitive luxury car manufacturer-Volvo Cars
Founded in 1927, Volvo Car Company is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden and has more than 19,000 employees all over the world. At present, there are about 6 million Volvo car owners in the world. Volvo Cars has set up production plants and assembly lines in Sweden, Belgium, China and Malaysia, with a total output of 311,413 vehicles in 2009.
Volvo Car Global Headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden
Volvo Car Company sold 334,808 cars in 2009. The model with the largest sales volume is XC60, with 61,667 vehicles sold. The top five markets are: USA, Sweden, China, UK and German.
Global sales and after-sales service network
Volvo Cars has established a sales and service network in more than 100 countries and regions around the world, with more than 2,400 sales outlets. We are committed to making our customers feel their own value and uniqueness. They will get intimate service experience in the whole process of sales and vehicle use. We want to make every customer who chooses Volvo feel welcome, respected and considerate. The company has established a survey system of "giving customers lifelong attention" to track the information of all customers after buying a car, so as to understand the satisfaction of each customer.
Volvo On Call is a distinguished and caring customer service. Whether it is a vehicle failure or a traffic accident, customers will be provided with emergency rescue service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Volvo’s rich product range
Volvo Cars is divided into four series: luxury car (S series), luxury business station wagon (V series), luxury SUV(XC series) and luxury convertible/coupe (C series). The company’s product strategy is to make many models of cars by using leading technology to meet the needs of different customer groups. While continuing to maintain its leading position in safety and environmental protection, Volvo Cars pays more attention to bringing passionate driving pleasure to customers. The launch of Volvo XC60 proves this point. This sport utility vehicle combines the performance of off-road vehicle with the personality of sports car, and combines dynamic and passionate driving pleasure with high comfort. The surging power of T6 twin-vortex turbocharged engine and AWD all-wheel drive system enable drivers to enjoy the feeling of pushing back while firmly grasping the stability of the vehicle.
In 2010, the new Volvo S60 was released, which surpassed any previous Volvo model in design and dynamic performance. The new Volvo S60 is also the first vehicle equipped with an innovative safety invention-pedestrian collision protection system. The new S60 will also be the most passionate Volvo car.
New Volvo S60
The Core Values of Volvo Cars: Safety, Quality and Environmental Protection
Safety legend, leading the future technology
All luxury brands have some leading edge-our advantage is safety, which is also one of the core values of Volvo cars. In Volvo Car Company, safety is always a comprehensive and complete solution. This overall view is the cornerstone of Volvo’s safety concept.
We have the most powerful equipment and personnel to ensure our commitment to automobile safety. Volvo Car Safety Center is one of the most advanced car crash test centers in the world, and has conducted more than 2,500 crash tests since its establishment in 2000. Its crash test laboratory is equipped with two lanes, one is an adjustable movable lane and the other is a permanent fixed lane. In order to adapt to various test conditions, the adjustment angle of this movable lane can be up to 90 degrees at most, which can create conditions for frontal collision or side collision of vehicles at different angles and speeds.
Panorama of Volvo Car Safety Center
We believe that knowledge can save lives. The traffic accident investigation team of Volvo Car Company has been investigating more than 40,000 accidents for 40 years, transforming the first-hand investigation data into new research results and applying them to the development and improvement of vehicle models. Since 1970, the accident casualty rate of Volvo’s new cars has been reduced by 50%.
The safety goal of Volvo cars is that by 2020, no one will be killed or injured by driving Volvo cars. In order to achieve this goal, Volvo Car Company is committed to the development of innovative preventive safety technology, because we believe that the safest way is to avoid traffic accidents as much as possible. From the brake assist system to the City Safety system, and then to the collision warning system with full automatic braking and pedestrian detection functions, the above technologies have been applied to Volvo representative vehicles, such as S80L extended version, XC60 and the new S60 which will be unveiled soon. Volvo Cars has continuously introduced breakthrough innovative safety technologies to lead the progress of automobile safety.
Volvo Car Company’s latest breakthrough safety technology-collision warning system with full automatic braking and pedestrian detection function-will be listed at the same time as the new Volvo S60 in 2010. The system can detect pedestrians in front of the car, and the car will automatically brake to avoid accidents. This new technology aims to help drivers avoid hitting pedestrians when the speed does not exceed 25 kilometers per hour. If the vehicle speed is higher than this value, the system will reduce the vehicle speed during the collision as much as possible to reduce the damage caused by the collision.
Pedestrian detection system
Volvo Car Safety Center is currently developing safety systems for electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. Through the advanced automatic monitoring of battery status and the effective protection of batteries in the event of a crash with the help of battery packaging technology, electric vehicles can achieve the highest level of comprehensive safety protection. Regardless of the model, fuel or power type, Volvo Cars requires all its cars to meet the same high safety standards.
Environmental protection concept, care for the green world
As a responsible corporate citizen, Volvo Cars is also in a leading position in the field of energy conservation and environmental protection. The overall environmental protection concept of Volvo Cars is summarized as "DRIVe noble environmental protection concept", which is the summary of Volvo Cars’ environmental protection blueprint and strategy. At the same time, it is also a model logo, which is used to indicate Volvo’s most environmentally friendly model. The lowercase letter e stands for environment. DRIVe environmental protection concept is Volvo Car’s commitment to sustainable transportation development.
Volvo’s long-term environmental protection goal is "DRIVe Towards Zero". To achieve this goal, Volvo has launched a number of environmental protection technologies. By the end of 2009, Volvo Car Company has launched seven fuel-efficient DRIVe ultra-low emission models, all of which have the best carbon dioxide emission level in their class. At present, all DRIVe models are equipped with optimized ordinary diesel engines and manual gearboxes, which have ultra-low fuel consumption. These models have also been specially improved to reduce rolling resistance and wind resistance. Among them, C30 DRIVe 1.6-liter diesel vehicle represents the latest environmental protection achievements: carbon dioxide emission per kilometer is only 99 grams, and fuel consumption per 100 kilometers is only 3.8 liters, which is the lowest among its peers.
Volvo Car Company and energy supplier Vattenfall jointly develop plug-in hybrid vehicles and energy infrastructure. The project will study drivers’ wishes and requirements, determine their driving habits and how they want to charge their cars. Volvo will first launch a mass-produced plug-in hybrid vehicle in 2012. This vehicle combines the pure electric power of the battery with a high-efficiency diesel engine, and can be charged by a household power supply. The total cruising range can reach 1,200 kilometers, the average carbon dioxide emission is 49 grams per kilometer, and the fuel consumption per 100 kilometers is 1.9 liters.
In September 2009, the prototype of Volvo C30 electric vehicle made its first public appearance. Volvo electric C30 has the same safety, comfort and space as a standard car. But only driven by electricity, the cruising range can reach 150 kilometers. At present, a small number of C30 BEV prototypes have been produced and tested by Volvo Cars.
Volvo C30 BEV pure electric vehicle
In addition to external environmental protection, all the fabrics inside Volvo Cars have passed the Oeko-Tex 100 hypoallergenic standard certification of the International Environmental Protection Textile Association, and it is the only automobile manufacturer in the industry that has passed this certification, which reflects the care of Volvo Cars as a luxury brand in environmental protection and health.
Volvo Car’s unique "nose team" is composed of eight specially selected people with "standard noses", who provide designers with guidance on selecting materials and production technology, especially for automobile interior materials, and finally ensure a healthy and environmentally friendly first-class interior environment for the owners through strict inspection. In addition, cars equipped with New interior materials will be placed under a solar simulator for several hours until the temperature in the compartment reaches 65℃. Then the TVOC level (total volatile organic compounds) and aldehyde content in the car were measured by analytical equipment.
Luxury quality makes Volvo cars go further.
Volvo cars have always been known for their durability, which is not only reflected in the manufacture and appearance of products, but also in our choice of materials and the way of manufacturing cars. At the same time, our leading position in safety has directly improved our quality level. In order to let customers enjoy the high quality of luxury cars during the whole period of owning Volvo cars, Volvo Car Company has adopted a set of quality assurance plans. The plan covers the whole value chain from manufacturing, sales to after-sales service.
In 2007, a Volvo P1800 model produced in 1966 set a new mileage record, exceeding 4.18 million kilometers (2.6 million miles), which can circle the equator about 104 times!
The new modified C30, XC60 and S60, which came out in 2009, all indicate the future design trend of Volvo cars, which are younger, more sporty and bolder. Moreover, the change is not only reflected in the design language, but also in the product characteristics and technological innovation of Volvo cars. In recent years, Volvo has continuously introduced T6 twin-vortex turbocharged engine, GTDi high-efficiency engine, Powershift powershift, 4C active chassis control, AWD all-wheel drive system with Instant Traction and other new technologies, which have effectively improved driving pleasure and maneuverability from the aspects of power, transmission and chassis. Therefore, after personal experience, you will unexpectedly find the driving pleasure and handling beyond the past on the brand-new Volvo car.
Innovative and enterprising
In the 82-year history, Volvo Cars has adhered to its own road of innovation, making our life better. Through continuous innovation in design, power, safety and environmental protection, Volvo Cars not only promoted the development and progress of the entire automobile industry, but also realized the promise of providing high-quality life for high-end automobile users.
Humanities accomplishment
For the social elites who are innovative and enterprising, Volvo Car’s conspicuous and tasteful image is deeply in line with their humble and pragmatic attitude towards life. As owners of Volvo, they understand the true meaning of life and pay attention to the internal quality of products. Choosing Volvo is not a symbol of showing off wealth, but a pursuit of quality of life. This has also become the connotation that distinguishes Volvo from other luxury brands.
Volvo Cars Sailing China’s Growth is Irresistible.
Volvo Car Company formally established an office in Beijing on January 24th, 1994, and China Sales Company in Shanghai in 2008, focusing on strengthening dealer network construction and providing customers with more timely, high-quality and professional services. Up to now, Volvo Car has reached 97 sales outlets in China, covering 78 cities across the country, greatly enhancing its competitiveness in various regional markets.
In 2009, the sales volume of Volvo Cars in China was 22,405 units, an increase of nearly 80%; From January to August 2010, sales increased by 65% year-on-year, which was higher than the average growth rate of luxury car market.
At present, Volvo’s entire range of products in China covers six major models, with more than 20 models, and the price range ranges from 248,000 to 1.48 million, including S40, S80L Extended Edition, C30, C70, XC60 and XC90. S40 was made in China in 2006. With its fashionable interior and exterior design and leading safety, it has become a strong competitor in the entry-level luxury car market and won the love of young elites in China. On the basis of the success of domestic S40, Volvo Cars realized the domestic S80 in 2009, named S80L Extended Edition. S80L Extended Edition is a luxury commercial vehicle specially built for China consumers. The wheelbase is lengthened by 140mm, making it the most competitive vehicle in the rear row of its class. In 2009, the sales volume of S80/S80L cars increased by 240%, which proved the great success of Volvo’s localization strategy.
Volvo Cars is the leader of the quality life of the elite in China. In order to strengthen emotional communication with customers, Volvo Car Company has sponsored the professional competition of Volvo China Open for 16 consecutive years, and held the amateur golf competition of Volvo Masters Cup in China, which is the 12th this year. This tournament has become the most extensive, largest and influential amateur golf competition in China. In 2009, Volvo Cars brought the Volvo Ocean Race, the world’s top sailing race, to China for the first time. A passionate, innovative and challenging Volvo Car Show appeared in front of consumers.
China is one of the automobile markets with the greatest development potential in the world. Adhering to the glorious history of 2008 and through proactive business strategy, Volvo Cars will surely win a bright future of sustainable development in the fierce market competition.
The Latest Achievements of Volvo Car Company
Volvo XC60 has won many international awards and become the best-selling model of Volvo cars.
The new Volvo S60 was unveiled and launched globally at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.
Volvo’s environmentally-friendly DRIVe has increased to seven ultra-low emission models, with a minimum CO2 emission of 99g/km;
The plug-in hybrid production car in cooperation with Vattenfall, Sweden’s largest power company, will be launched in 2012;
The C30 BEV pure electric vehicle project was launched, and the prototype entered the road test stage;
Launched the world’s first brand-new safety technology-pedestrian detection system with automatic braking;
In March 2009, the new Volvo S80L extended version was officially listed in China market, which promoted the sales growth of all models.
In 2009, Volvo Cars in China increased by nearly 80% year-on-year, ranking fifth in the world.
From January to August 2010, the sales of Volvo Cars in China increased by 65% year-on-year, making it the third largest market in the world.
Volvo car brand has become more passionate, innovative and humanistic.