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Volvo

When you start thinking about safety in automobiles, the first brand that should pop into your mind is Volvo. Long known for building vehicles that meet or exceed safety requirements, the company is now producing vehicles that offer sophisticated style and performance for todays consumer.

The company was founded in 1927 by Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larsson in Gothenburg, Sweden. From the beginning, the emphasis of the company was on safety. In fact, the word Volvo means “I roll” in Swedish. The first model to debut in 1927 was nicknamed the “Jakob” and was very well received. It was soon followed in 1929 by a six cylinder offering dubbed the PV651. By 1931, the popularity of both models resulted in over 10,000 Volvos rolling off the assembly line.

Following WW11, Volvo continued its success by introducing the stylish compact PV444. Since the offering was so successful, in 1950 Volvo made the decision to start exporting cars to the U.S with the PV444 leading the way. It didn't take long for American consumers to associate the brand name with a company that built safety conscious autos, especially with Volvo being one of the few companies that used a 3 point point safety belt in all of its vehicles.

During the 1960's, Volvo introduced the P1800 which was a sports car that gained incredible popularity due to the fact it was the vehicle of Roger Moore on the hit TV show The Saint. Also during this time, as more safety was being demanded by American consumers, Volvo was leading the way with energy- resistant crumple zones in the front and rear of each vehicle. And it didn't stop there. Volvo was one of the first to offer padded dashboards keeping in the tradition of being on the cutting edge of safety related features.

As the company moved into the 1970's, Volvo firmly cemented its reputation as being a safety innovator by incorporating child proof locks, collapsible steering columns and rear facing child seats that other manufactures seemed to be ignoring.

During the 1980's, the company became one of the darlings of the American “Yuppie” just like its European competitors Saab and BMW. It was during this time that Volvo also proved its technological expertise by rolling out its first turbocharged vehicle. As the decade came to a close, Volvo continued to debut new models such as the Italian inspired 780 coupe and the 480 front wheel drive hatchback for the market in Europe.

Not being a company to rest on its laurels, Volvo, in early 1990, launched its first entry into the executive sedan market with the release of the model 850. This was a front wheel drive vehicle that combined superior performance along with the company's many safety innovations. Soon to follow were models that were more rounded and eye pleasing in an attempt to change the “boring and boxy” image the company had acquired. By 1998, the company was acquired by the auto making giant Ford Motor Company.

Moving into the new millenium, Volvo offers consumers a complete lineup of sedans, coupes and of course SUVs. The company still holds true to its roots by producing vehicles that not only emphasize driving excitement but superior safety as well.