Volvo Story - Auto Story
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Volvo, history – Auto Story
Since its inception, which took place almost 90 years ago, Volvo always focused on safety: In this respect, the cars of the Swedish company have always been one step ahead of the competition and, thanks to this philosophy, have won many customers around the world. Let's find out together story of this brand, the only mass “Scandinavian” brand that is still in operation.
Volvo: history
La Volvo was officially born in Gothenburg (Sweden) in 1927 as a subsidiary SKF , a company specializing in the production of ball bearings who intends to try their hand at car manufacturing.
The first car produced public transport 4 (convertible equipped with engine 1.9 gasoline) - will roll off the assembly line on April 14. The closed version is better. P.V. 4, more suitable for the harsh northern climate.
In the thirties Volvo win over the Swedish public, but struggle to establish themselves beyond their national borders. The situation changes at the end The Second World War.
The post-war period
La PV444 – was born in 1944 and entered the market in 1947. This is the Swedish company's first large-sized car, and also the first car to be equipped with an engine. load-bearing body... With its "American" design and relatively compact external dimensions, it represents an important innovation in terms of safety: windshield in laminated glass. This solution, consisting of two sheets connected by a layer of plastic material, allows, in the event of a breakdown, to hold the damaged components together, preventing debris from entering the interior.
Fifties
Fifties for Volvo opened with a launch in 1953. duet, One of the first station wagon stories. Exports to the USA begin two years later.
1959 is a very important year for the Scandinavian House: it is shown there for the first time. cut P1800 (commercially available since 1961) and seat belts three points now accepted by all vehicles on the market.
The Sixties
In the sixties Volvo expands: in 1964 a new plant opens in g. Thorsland (still in operation today) and next year it was the turn of another plant in Belgium.
Meanwhile, research safety: a soft dashboard is proposed to reduce damage to front passengers in the event of a collision, and in 1967 seat for children installed in the opposite direction to the direction of travel.
Seventies
In 1972 Volvo buys the automotive department of the Dutch manufacturer Daf with the aim of expanding its range downward. The series debuted two years later. 200, which in twenty years has conquered almost three million motorists.
At the end of the decade, in 1979. Renault becomes the minority shareholder of the Swedish brand.
Eighties
One of the most representative models in history Volvo, Theflagship 760was introduced in 1982: its boxy shape and its contents seduce the public and make it the first alternative to classic German luxury cars.
La section 480 since 1985 - the year of production of station wagons of the series 700 is the first car of the Scandinavian brand equipped with front-wheel drive.
The nineties
This decade begins with the announcement of an agreement between Volvo and Renault, and with the launch 960... In 1991 it was the turn 850 and debut side airbag.
In 1995 was sedan S40 and family option V40 and in the same year the museum of the Scandinavian house opens. The next year it was the turn of the heirs of 850-la. S70 и V70 - and a charming sports car C70.
La Volvo enters the off-road world with initials XC in 1997 and 1998 he ditched the boxy design and opted for the sexy Berlinona. S80... In 1999, the automotive department of the Scandinavian brand was sold to the company Ford.
Third millennium
In the third millennium, the Swedish company continues to work on safety: in 2004, for example, he launched BLIS (a system that monitors the blind spot through cameras mounted on the rear-view mirrors).
In 2009 Ford sell Volvo to the chinese house Geely: under the Asian direction, the Swedish brand continues to produce quality products. One of the most relevant is compact V40which gives amazing results in Euro NCAP crash test.
