Monday, June 8, 2009

2007

The jubilee year opens at the North American International Auto Show, in Detroit, where the daring new XC60 concept car is unveiled to the world. Bearing in mind some of the previous decades’ Volvo models, it’s difficult to grasp that this really is a Volvo. The XC60 Concept is a so-called crossover model, a style that is currently much in vogue, displaying unusual lines and plenty of attitude.

In March, the all-new Volvo XC70 and V70 are introduced to the world at the Geneva Motor Show. With the V70, Volvo seeks to retain its segment leadership, with a world's first height-adjustable integrated child booster cushion;** In the XC70, Volvo takes the Crossover segment to the next level (a segment the original XC70 helped define).

The all-new Volvo XC70 debuts in North America at the New York International Auto Show.

2006

On the 28th of February, the next-generation S80 is unveiled at the motor show in Geneva. It is built on a Volvo-American platform, and is available with the company's first V8 in a sedan.

The Volvo C30 arrives at the Paris Motor Show. It is the smallest car ever introduced by Volvo. Shown first as a Design Concept in Detroit in January, the production version of the lively, youthful little Volvo with the glass tailgate is little changed from the concept.

Volvo Cars begins local production in China, initially with the S40.

At the end of the year Volvo presents its new City Safety system, which uses radar to help the driver avoid low-speed collisions.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is introduced in the all-new Volvo S80.

Collision Warning (CW) with brake mitigation function.

Start of road safety research in China.

Volvo V70 Multi-fuel concept car launched - capable to run on 5 fuels: Biomethane, CNG, Hythane, Bioethanol E85 and Petrol.

Volvo FlexiFuel launched in eight additional markets, globally.

2005

This year brings the launch of the all-new C70 with its three-section retractable hardtop. It has a unique door-mounted Inflatable Curtain (IC) as part of its side-impact protection system. The new C70 is built by Pininfarina, which takes over management of the Uddevalla plant.

New diesel engines with particulate filters are presented in the S40 and V50 in Bologna in December. The same filters are now introduced for the other Volvo diesels.

The Volvo trade mark is 90 years old this year.

Retail deliveries for the year end up at just under 444,000 cars.

Fredrik Arp is appointed president and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation.

The 2005/2006 Volvo Ocean Race fleet sets out from northern Spain on November 12th.

Volvo Cars unveils Driver Alert and Volvo CoDriver.

Multi-Lock, a combined alcolock and safety belt lock, and speed limiter (a research project addressing the issue of drunk drivers).

Bioethanol (E85) powered Volvo S40/V50 FlexiFuel launched in Sweden.

2004

Volvo presents its Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), a camera-based system which monitors the driver’s potential blind spot, a world-first for cars.

The company also presents DMIC (Door Mounted Inflatable sips bag) its side airbag concept for convertibles, another world-first.

The Volvo XC90 now has another engine option, a totally new compact V8 designed by Volvo and manufactured by Yamaha.

Volvo Car's new V8 engine is world's first V8 to comply with ULEV II.

Two exciting new concept cars are presented in the course of the year:

The Volvo 3CC (sustainable mobility concept along with its Tandem predecessor).

The Volvo YCC (Your Concept Car) is developed by an all-female project team in Gothenburg, a fact which attracts much attention before it is even built.

And there is another sales record: retail deliveries of just under 460,000 cars.

Introduction of particulate filters for diesel engines.

2003

The new-generation compact Volvos are launched – the Volvo S40 and V50. Safety is paramount. They have a totally new, patented front-end design which is divided into a number of distinct crumple zones. The side-impact protection system is the same type as used in the larger Volvos. The front seats have the Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS). The Volvo S40 with the 1.6 liter four-cylinder turbo diesel engine is the first Volvo to achieve fuel consumption of under 5 liters (1.32 gallons) for every 100 kilometers (62.14 miles) driven. Also presented this year is the Versatility Concept Car, VCC.

The company celebrates the 50th birthday of the Volvo wagon in this anniversary year of the Volvo Duett.

Volvo Cars achieves global ISO 14001 certification.

IDIS (Intelligent Driver Information System) introduced in Europe.

New, patented front-end structure reduces collision forces.

Inauguration of Bangkok Traffic Accident Research Center (TARC).

2002

The year began with a large splash at the Detroit Motor Show in January with the launch of – the Volvo XC90. The XC90 is an immediate success. No other Volvo has ever won so many awards in such a short time. It soon gains the highest safety ratings from independent testing bodies in both Europe and the United States. The Volvo XC90 is an SUV – a Sports Utility Vehicle. It has been developed with safety uppermost in mind, including the safety of other road users such as those in smaller cars, cyclists and pedestrians.

Volvo celebrates its 75th birthday on April 14th.

Previewed in the shape of the Performance Concept Car 1, the Volvo S60R and V70 R high-performance models are unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September. They have a six-speed gearbox and AWD. Their 300 bhp engines deliver a maximum torque of 295 lb/ft.

Also presented in the course of the year are the Adventure Concept Car 2 and the Performance.

Volvo Adventure – Volvo inaugurates an environmental program for young people.

PZEV (Partial Zero Emission Vehicle) engine introduced in California.

New Volvo Cars designed for 85% recoverability.

RSC (Roll Stability Control), Volvo's innovative active stability system introduced as world's first.

Lower front crossmember (in Volvo XC90) to increase safety compatibility with lower cars.

Development of virtual, pregnant crash test dummy.

2001

Volvo Cars presents its own range of environmentally-sound diesel engines, the D5 range. Their carbon dioxide emissions are 30 per cent lower than those from petrol engines of a similar power output. The upgraded Bi-Fuel engines can now be ordered for either CNG or LPG.

The Volvo S60 AWD is launched with a new drive system. Central to this electronically-controlled hydraulic system is the Haldex AWD coupling. The company presents a drivable version of the Safety Concept Car, and also the Adventure Concept Car 1.

A number of Ocean Race Special Editions are produced for marketing in conjunction with the 2001/2002 Volvo Ocean Race, which began in September.