The Swedish concern, which produces high-quality and majestic Volvo cars, has become one of the most influential premium cars in the European market. This happened in the last seven years, but after all, from 2000 to 2007, the concern did not develop, offering customers the same models with old engines. Swedish success secret car company is in alliance with the Chinese. The formal corporation Geely simply bought out the Swedish company, but the agreement is more like a merger.
The Chinese have given an obligation not to rename the brand, to keep the European Volvo brand, the country of manufacture must remain Sweden, and Geely has no right to use the technical developments of the concern in their cars. I wonder if the Chinese observe the signed treaty?
Are there other countries in the world where Volvo is assembled?
Many car enthusiasts confuse Sweden with other Scandinavian and European countries, believing that Volvo is assembled in Norway, Switzerland or even Germany. In fact, Volvo Corporation's only factory is located in Gothenburg, Sweden. This enterprise, even after the purchase of the concern by the Chinese, remains in this city and does not reduce its activities.
On the contrary, the Chinese investment gave the Swedish company a huge boost. There are several important aspects that have changed in 2007:
- there was money and technical capabilities to develop a completely new model range;
- the efforts of the designers of Geely, a powerful company at that time, and the Swedes joined;
- the Volvo brand has received a huge Chinese market, where its cars are sold without unnecessary duties;
- new technologies began to be introduced into cars, thanks to generous investments;
- The plant has expanded its staff, improved production lines, and gained many other benefits.
If today we consider the manufacturability of car manufacturers, we can safely say that Volvo is one of the best factories in Europe. Here is the latest equipment, all assembly processes are fully automated. The cars are not just high quality, they finally meet their price tag. Until 2007, Volvo cars were bought only in Scandinavian countries. They were too expensive and outdated.
Chinese cars Geely after cooperation with the Swedes
Immediately after the unification of European and Chinese manufacturers under the roof of one concern, Geely had new models that were three heads taller than their predecessors. Virtually all the lineup changed, new engines began to give more horses, requiring less fuel. Yes, and the appearance of the Emgrand series has gone far ahead.
We invite you to enjoy the video test drive of the new Emgrand EC7
Video:
In the model line Geely even appeared a crossover, which was not announced before. Such changes are associated with the following options for the development of the company:
- despite the ban on the use of Volvo technologies, the Chinese pulled over certain developments of the Swedes to their side;
- as a result of bilateral cooperation with European engineers, new developments were obtained;
- the company was replenished with a good profitable asset and was able to invest in its own production;
- Sweden invited engineers from Sweden to work in China.
The last assumption is a verified and proven fact. But Geely denied the fact that this is due to the development of the successful Engrand series of cars. However, for the consumer, there is no difference. If a company issues good cars, let her take technology where it is more convenient for her. For the consumer, it is more important how high-quality a car he can buy in the salon. That is why the Swedes today are quite satisfied with the seven-year cooperation with the Chinese.
The plant in Gothenburg is growing and developing, the brand is acquiring new models, and Geely Corporation fulfills all its main promises.
Summing up
Over the past few years, Volvo has updated almost the entire model range. Not so long ago, the last old XC90 SUV was announced to be discontinued, and a few weeks after this news, the first spy photos of the new development appeared.
The company was able not only to update the model offer and make an amazing success in the global automotive market, but also surprised all potential buyers and experts with excellent technologies, the development of which costs a lot of money.
It is not so important in which countries Volvo is assembled, because the perception from the car, its reliability and comfort are much more important. If you have experience operating a Volvo for the last seven years of production, describe your emotions from this car in the comments.
The largest acquisition in the history of the Chinese auto industry: the Chinese concern Geely buys the Swedish company Volvo from the American Ford. The agreement was signed yesterday in Gothenburg, in the presence of Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, who arrived in Sweden on an official visit in connection with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and Swedish Vice Premier and Industry Minister Maud Olofsson. Deal Value: $1.8 billion, all necessary funds for the acquisition have already been received, at the same time Geely has also raised the capital necessary for the further development of Volvo car production.
Swedish media reports emphasize that “the agreement provides for the preservation of independence Volvo, the continuation of its commercial plans and further development.” Upon completion of the transaction, the company's headquarters will remain in Gothenburg, Geely will also retain Volvo's factories in Sweden and Belgium. In addition, the new owner expects to build a Volvo plant in China "to saturate the Chinese market with the company's cars." The agreement states that Geely will maintain good relations with Volvo workers and employees, its trade unions, distribution agencies, and especially with consumers. “Volvo will be managed by Volvo management. The enterprise will be granted independence in a strategic perspective. It will operate on its own business plan. We are committed to maintaining the brand's identity and see Volvo as a Swedish company with a strong Scandinavian tradition,” said Geely Chairman Li Shufu.
Volvo, like some other assets, Ford wanted to sell since 2008, when both this company and many of its competitors - both in the US and around the world - faced serious financial problems. “The main goal of the deal is to find a new owner who shares Ford's vision of Volvo's future. We needed to find a new owner who could grow the business and at the same time take special care of the unique features of the Swedish brand. And who is also responsible for the company's employees and the society in which we operate. We have found, and I am pleased to announce this, such an owner in the face of Geely,” says Vice President Ford Lewis Booth.
Volvo was acquired by Ford in 1999 for $6.5 billion. In total, 22,000 people work for Volvo worldwide, 16,000 of them in Sweden. Now the Swedish manufacturer assembles about 300 thousand cars a year - new plant in China should do the same. The trade unions gave their final consent to the signing of the agreement only last Saturday, after a meeting with Li Shufu and his explanations about the new leadership's plans for the future. “We are pleased to have entered into an agreement with Ford that allows us to preserve and enhance the legacy famous brand Volvo. The brand will remain true to its core values of safety and contemporary Scandinavian design,” said Li Shufu. According to him, the strategic goal of the Chinese corporation is to achieve the production of 2 million cars a year by 2015. The acquisition of a well-known brand raises the prestige of the Chinese auto industry. In addition, Volvo will open the more expensive segment of the European market and its distribution network to manufacturers from the Middle Kingdom.
Volvo Personvagnar AB is a Swedish automotive company specializing in the production of passenger cars and crossovers. Since 2010, it has been a subsidiary of the Chinese company Geely Automobile (Zhejiang Geely holding). The headquarters is located in Gothenburg (Sweden). Interestingly, the very word Volvo in Latin means "I roll."
Assar Gabrielsson and Gustav Larson stood at the origin of the founding of the Swedish car manufacturer. A chance meeting of college classmates in 1924 led to the creation of an automobile company under the wing of the bearing manufacturer SKF.
The first Volvo ÖV4 (Jacob) drove out of the factory gate on Hisingen Island in Gothenburg in April 1927. The car was an open-top phaeton type, equipped with a four-cylinder petrol engine (28 hp) and could accelerate to 90 km/h. This was followed by the new Volvo PV4 sedan, and a year later Volvo Special - an extended version of the sedan. In the first year, only 297 cars were sold, but in 1929 already 1383 Volvo cars found their buyers.
Even the first cars of the Swedish company were distinguished by progressive technical stuffing and rich interior equipment. Leather sprung seats, wooden front panel, ashtray, window blinds, and all this in the late 20s of the last century.
The company develops and produces reliable cars, and its main hobby is safe cars. We note the most striking and significant models for the Swedish manufacturer:
PV650 was assembled in 1929-1937.
Volvo TR670 from 1930 to 1937.
PV 36 Carioca - 1935-1938.
The Volvo PV800 series was nicknamed "pig" and was very popular with Swedish taxi drivers, produced from 1938 to 1958.
PV60 - 1946-1950.
Volvo PV444/544 is the first car from Sweden with load-bearing body, rolled off the assembly line between 1943 and 1966.
The Duett station wagon was produced from 1953 to 1969.
A unique and rare P1900 roadster, only 58 cars were produced in 1956-1957 (according to some sources, 68).
Volvo Amazon was produced in three body styles: coupe, sedan and station wagon from 1956 to 1970. The car was the first in the world to be equipped with front three-point seat belts.
P1800 - one of the most beautiful sports coupes from Volvo, was produced from 1961 to 1973.
Volvo 66- compact hatchback, produced in 1975-1980.
Open the modern history of the Swedish company Volvo cars 140 Series, produced from 1966 to 1974.
four door Volvo sedan 164 represented Sweden in the luxury executive car segment from 1968 to 1975.
Volvo's next innovations in the form of 200 series cars won the love of motorists on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean due to their reliability and safety, cars were produced from 1974 to 1993 and were sold in excess of 2.8 million copies. In Europe and North America, you can still find these models in fairly good condition.
300 Series - compact sedans and hatchbacks, produced from 1976 to 1991. They were replaced in 1987 by the Volvo 440 (hatchback) and 460 (sedan), production ceased in 1997.
One of the most striking and memorable cars in the history of Volvo was the three-door hatchback Volvo 480, produced from 1986 to 1995. The car was the first Volvo with front-wheel drive and the only one in the production line with retractable headlights.
The 700 series mid-size sedans and station wagons were produced from 1982 to 1992. Cars have sold around the world with a circulation of 1430 thousand units.
The 700 series was replaced by the 900 series sedans in 1990. Cars were produced until 1998 and were able to repeat the result of the previous series in 1,430,000 cars sold.
Sedans and Volvo wagons 850 appeared in the line of the company in 1992. Over 1,360,000 vehicles have been sold in just over five years, and production of the model was discontinued in 1997.
In the 21st century, the Scandinavian company offers a wide range of models. Each Volvo body type has its own letter designation: S - sedan, V - station wagon, C - coupe or convertible, XC - crossover.
The Swedish company Volvo is a world leader in the implementation of security systems used in passenger cars. Cars originally from Sweden are rightfully considered one of the safest in the global automotive market.
Volvo's car assembly plants are scattered all over the world, from the main production plants at the Torslanda and Uddevalla plants (Sweden) to the auxiliary plants in Ghent (Belgium), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Chongqing (China).
The model range in Russia is represented by Volvo C70, Volvo XC70, Volvo S80, Volvo XC90.
Do you know where Volvo is made? The country of origin of this car deserves all the praise. It is produced in Sweden. The car is produced by the Swedish concern Aktiebolaget Volvo. The concern is engaged in commercial and engines and various equipment. Previously, it was possible to purchase from the Volvo concern and passenger cars. Unfortunately, the car branch was sold to the Ford concern, called Volvo Personvagnar. In turn, Ford assigned it to Geely.
The headquarters of the concern is located in the Swedish city of Gothenburg. From Latin "volvo" is translated as "I roll" or "I rotate".
history of the company
The company was founded by Assar Gabrielson and Gustaf Larson in 1915. In fact, it was a subsidiary of the popular bearing manufacturer SKF. The first production car Jakob OV 4 left the factory gates on April 14, 1927. She had an engine with a capacity of 28 Horse power and top speed of 90 km/h.
The country of origin of the Volvo car is beautiful! Who becomes the president of the concern in 1956? Of course, Gunnar Ingellau! He is a doctor of mechanical engineering and economic sciences. During his tenure, the company flourished. Export to the USA starts in 1956. In the United States in 1957, 5,000 Volvo cars were sold. The volume of car production is increasing. In 1956, 31,000 copies were made, and in 1971, 205,000 units were produced.
The country of origin of Volvo has a temperate climate, mainly due to the Gulf Stream. It is very pleasant to work here. It should be added that Nils Ivar Bolin also worked tirelessly at Volvo. He is the inventor of the three-point seat belt. The Volvo PV 444 and P120 Amazon brands were equipped with this element for the first time in the world.
Model P1800 is made in the form of a two-seater sports coupe. It was released in 1960. And the production of the Volvo-144 began in 1966. It was this model that was equipped with a dual-circuit brake working system. And it was here that the deformable zones of the body were installed. This is an amazing Volvo! What country-manufacturer is able to invent such a candy? Of course, only Sweden.
In 1976, the creators of Volvo developed the Lambda Sond oxygen sensors. In the same year, exhaust gas was generated.
The passenger department of Volvo Personvagnar was sold to Ford in 1999. The concern was able to sell the division for $6.45 billion. Volvo Personvagnar AB is known in the US as Volvo Cars. And since 1999, this branch has been transformed into a division of the Ford concern. But in December 2009, Ford announces the sale of Volvo Personvagnar AB to Zhejiang Geely Automobile in China. The branch is now worth $1.8 billion. On March 29, 2010, the Chinese enterprise officially signs the documents. These are papers for the acquisition of the Volvo Cars brand from Ford Motor. The transaction was completed on August 2, 2010.
Management and owners
Why does everyone choose Volvo? The country of origin knows the answer to this question. To do this, you need to find out who is the largest shareholder of the AB Volvo concern? Of course, the Chinese concern Geely. Until 2010, Renault S.A. owned about 20% of the company's shares. She was then the largest owner. In 2012, these shares were acquired by the Chinese concern Geely.
Louis Schweitzer is Chairman of the Board of Directors of this excellent organization. And Leif Johansson holds the positions of executive head and president at the same time.
Organization's activities
At the moment, the Volvo concern supplies trucks to the Swedes. In addition to trucks, the company supplies construction equipment, buses, marine propulsion systems, financial services and space components.
In general, the Volvo brand is owned by the Geely holding. The Volvo Group also manages the following brands:
- Renault Trucks.
- Nissan Diesel.
- Mac.
- Prevost.
- Nova bus.
The holding consists of nine production companies and eleven business divisions.
Volvo in Russia
The official sale of Volvo cars in the USSR started in 1989. It should be noted that the much-needed Sovtransavto have been purchased since 1973.
Trademark "Volvo" ... The country of origin is located in Northern Europe, in the center of civilization. Currently, the Volvo concern in Russia is represented by CJSC Volvo Vostok and OOO VFS Vostok.
Volvo has built a new plant in Kaluga. The launch of this production took place on January 19, 2009. The production capacity of this plant is very high. It is 15,000 trucks in year. The installation of Volvo FM and FM models is planned here. This is the first full-scale production of commercial trucks of a foreign brand in the Russian state. A little later, Volvo Truck Center-Kaluga was built on the Volvo factory territory. This center opened in the summer of 2009. Volvo Holding has adopted a comprehensive transport solution. Now production, sales and service are all done in one place.
Corporation
Consider one of the industrial companies belonging to the concern Volvo. The country of origin, Sweden, is proud of its brainchild, its carmaker. Volvo Trucks Corporation is one of the world's top heavy truck manufacturers. This company was founded by Gustaf Larson and Assar Gabrielson in 1916. It is a subsidiary of the popular bearing manufacturer SKF.
The first mass-produced car left the gates of the plant in 1927. The company gained complete independence from SKF in 1935.
In early 1928, the first truck appeared. It was called "LV series 1" and was an incredible success. It was equipped with a two-liter four-cylinder engine. Engine power was 28 horsepower.
Can anyone forget the Volvo? The country of origin will, on occasion, remind you of this concern. Indeed, in terms of volume in the world market, it is in second place. In 2006 Volvo Trucks sold 105,519 trucks.
Volvo trucks are considered comfortable and safe. The global international corporation Volvo Trucks Corporation includes industrial and design centers located in the USA, Brazil, Sweden and Belgium. It includes an incredible number of assembly firms around the world. Some enterprises represent the corporation as a co-founder along with local production groups. Of course, there are organizations directly owned by the Volvo Group.
Renault Trucks in Russia
The first Renault trucks appeared in Russia in 1912. In the Russian Empire, a run was organized by the Ministry of War, and Renault took part in it.
In 2012, Renault Trucks celebrated its 100th anniversary on the Russian market. The firm owns its own production shop at the Volvo plant in Kaluga. In 2009, the production of the Premium Route tractor began. Today, heavy trucks of the Premium and Kerax models are assembled at the plant. At the end of 2014, it is planned to start production of the latest model range of Renault Trucks trucks.
And in June 2013, an unforgettable ceremony was held in the Kaluga region. The foundation stone of the future plant was laid. It is planned to manufacture cabs for Volvo and Renault trucks at this enterprise.
Volvo means "I roll" in Latin, and the circle of arrows is just a convenient symbol for steel, Sweden's biggest industry before iKEA. The circle and arrow symbolize the shield and spear of Mars, which are also alchemical symbols for iron.
In 1924, in the Stockholm restaurant Sturehof on July 25 - the day that is called Jacob's Day in the Swedish calendar - Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larson decided to create Volvo.
Volvo's birthday is April 14, 1927, the day the first car, called the Jakob, left the factory in Gothenburg. However, the real history of the development of the concern began a few years later. The 1920s are characterized by the beginning of the real development of the automotive industry simultaneously in the USA and Europe. In Sweden, they really became interested in cars in 1923 after an exhibition in Gothenburg. In the early 1920s, 12,000 cars were imported into the country. In 1925 their number reached 14.5 thousand. In the international market, manufacturers, in pursuit of increasing their volumes, were not always selective in their approach to components, so the quality of the final product often left much to be desired, and as a result, many of these manufacturers quickly went bankrupt. For the creators of Volvo, the issue of quality was fundamental. Therefore, their main task was to make right choice among suppliers. In addition, tests were carried out after assembly. To this day, Volvo follows this principle.
Let's find out the history of this brand in more detail...
1927
Volvo OV4 "The Jacob"
Creators of Volvo
Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larson are the creators of Volvo. Assar Gabrielsson, the son of Gabriel Gabrielsson, the office manager, and Anna Larson, was born on August 13, 1891 in Kosberg, Skaraborg County. He graduated from the Higher Latin School Norra in Stockholm in 1909. He received a bachelor's degree in economics and business from the School of Economics in Stockholm in 1911. After working as an official and stenographer in the lower house of the Swedish Parliament, Gabrielsson got a job as a sales manager at SKF in 1916. He founded Volvo and served as president until 1956.
Gustaf Larson - the son of Lars Larson, a farmer, and Hilda Magnesson - was born on July 8, 1887 in Vintros, County of Jerebro. In 1911 he graduated from the technical elementary school in Erebro; received an engineering degree from the Royal Institute of Technology in 1917. In England from 1913 to 1916 he worked as a design engineer for White and Popper Ltd.
After graduating from the Royal Institute of Technology, Gustaf Larson worked for SKF as manager and chief engineer of the firm's transmission department in Gothenburg and Katrinholm from 1917 to 1920. He worked as a plant manager and later as technical director and executive vice president of Nya AB Gaico with 1920 to 1926 Collaborated with Assar Gabrielsson to create Volvo. From 1926 to 1952 he was Technical Director and Executive Vice President of Volvo.
The history of Volvo began with crayfish
As the book "Volvo Cars" tells, the history of Volvo begins in June 1924, when Assar Gabrielson, the future managing director of the brand, accidentally met in a cafe with a former college classmate Gustav Larson, who would later become Volvo's technical director. That day in a cafe they talked for a short time, and Gabrielson proposed the idea of creating an enterprise for the production of cars. Gustav Larson agreed that they should have discussed this topic in more detail, but he considered the proposal itself hardly serious and did not attach much importance to it. Maybe this idea would not have developed if they had not met for the second time in August of that year.
Here is how Gustav Larson describes this meeting, recalling Assar Gabrielson (the article was published in Volvo magazine after Gabrielson's death in 1962): I saw Gabriel sitting alone in front of a whole mountain of red crayfish. I joined him, and we set to work with great appetite." So they sat at the same table. Gabrielson had an excellent opportunity to re-discuss his idea. The verbal agreement that they reached in August 1924 took the form of a formalized document on December 16, 1925.
This document proclaimed the following: "I, Gabrielson, intending to create a car manufacturing company in Sweden, make an offer to G. Larson to cooperate with me as an engineer." "I, Larson, accept this offer." Gustav Larson had to develop a new car. The remuneration for this work would be between 5,000 and 20,000 SEK, provided that production reached an industrial level - at least 100 cars a year by January 1, 1928. If the target level of production was not reached, Larson agreed not to claim any what payment. Drawings of the chassis of the new car were ready already six months before the signing of this agreement.
On April 14, 1927, the first mass-produced Volvo car was born - it was the year of the birth of the automotive industry in Sweden. On that day, the gates of the factory on the island of Hisingen, Gothenburg, opened wide. The first Volvo car drove out of the gate. It was an open-top chaise with a four-cylinder engine. Sales manager Hilmer Johansson was driving.
When designing it, the designer Mass-Olle (Mass-Olle) was guided by American methods. The car was equipped with a 1.9-liter 4-cylinder engine with side valves. Under the designation "OV-4" it was offered with an open body, the "PV-4" variant was a sedan.
The short drive to where the press was waiting for the car was uneventful. But the night before was not an easy one for those in charge of assembling the car. The last parts needed for assembly had arrived by train from Stockholm the previous evening. The haste that accompanied the assembly of the car made itself felt: when engineer Eric Carlberg decided to inspect and check the car in the morning, it turned out that he could only move backwards. The main component in the gearbox rear axle was set incorrectly. Such a beginning was taken as a good omen: from now on, the movement should have been only in the forward direction.
The car was called simply and uncomplicated - ÖV4 and had affectionate nickname Jacob (Jacob). The letters ÖV denoted that the model was an open-top car, and the number 4 denoted the number of engine cylinders. Volvo Jacob was American designed, had a powerful chassis and independent suspension with long leaf springs front and rear. The engine developed a power of 28 hp. at 2000 rpm. Max Speed the car was quite decent for that time - 90 km / h.
At first, Swedish buyers were not eager to snap up new cars.
The four-hole car body was painted in dark blue, and black mudguards stood out against this background. Jacob's open 5-seater body had four doors and was constructed from sheet steel on an ash and copper beech frame. The upholstery was leather, the front panel was wood. Unlike the seats in many other cars, the seats first Volvo were sprung. The structure of the wheel of this car was a removable rim, which was mounted on varnished wooden spokes. Minor luxuries in the cabin included a small flower vase, an ashtray and (in the sedan version) curtains on all windows.
New car with a phaeton body it cost 4800 crowns, and a little later the PV4 sedan was introduced, and another 1000 crowns were added to its price. According to plans, the plant should produce 500 cars of each model, however, contrary to expectations, Swedish buyers did not seek to buy up new cars. In the first year, only 297 cars were sold. One of the reasons for such a small quantity was the requirement for a very high level of quality of the supplied components and its strict control by the manufacturer.
The top speed of the PV4 was quite decent - 90 km/h
A year later, presented new model is a Volvo Special, an extended version of the PV4 sedan. The Volvo Special featured a longer hood, thin A-pillars and a rectangular rear window. This car was already equipped with bumpers. At this time, the bumpers have not yet become standard equipment car.
It wasn't until two years later that the company was able to make its first modest profits. In 1929, Volvo sold 1,383 cars. However, in the late 1920s the car made a real breakthrough, both in the European market and in America.
During several years at SKF, Assar Gabrielsson noted that Swedish ball bearings were inexpensive compared to international standard prices, and the idea of creating a production of Swedish cars that would be able to compete with American cars became stronger and stronger. Assar Gabrielsson worked with Gustaf Larson for several years at SKF and the two men, having also worked together for several years in the British automotive industry, learned to recognize and respect each other's experience and know-how.
Gustaf Larson also had plans to create his own, Swedish automotive industry. Their similar views and tasks led to cooperation after the first few chance meetings in 1924. As a result, they decided to found a Swedish car company. While Gustaf Larson was hiring young mechanics to assemble cars, Assar Gabrielsson was exploring the economics of their vision. In the summer of 1925, Assar Gabrielsson was forced to use his own savings to fund a trial run of 10 passenger cars.
The cars were assembled at the Galco's Stockholm plant with the involvement of the interests of SKF, whose capital share in Volvo was 200,000 Swedish kronor. SKF also made Volvo a controlled, but capable of growing car company.
All work was moved to Gothenburg and neighboring Hisingen, and SKF equipment was eventually moved to Volvo's production site. Assar Gabrielsson singled out 4 basic criteria that contribute to the successful development of the Swedish automobile company: Sweden was a developed industrial country; low wages in Sweden; Swedish steel had a strong reputation all over the world; there was a clear need for passenger cars on Swedish roads.
Gabrielsson and Larson's decision to start producing passenger cars in Sweden was clearly articulated and based on several business concepts:
— Manufacture of Volvo cars. Volvo will be responsible for both machine design and assembly, while materials and components will be sourced from other companies;
— Strategically secure key subcontractors. Volvo must find reliable support and, if necessary, partners in the rail sector;
— Concentration on export. Export sales began a year after the start of assembly line production;
- Attention to quality.
Neither effort nor expense can be spared in the process of building a car. It's cheaper to get things going in the right direction at the beginning of the journey than it is to make mistakes and fix them at the end. This is one of the main postulates of Assar Gabrielsson. If Assar Gabrielsson was shrewd in business, then the brilliant financier and merchant Gustaf Larson was a mechanical genius. Together, Gabrielsson and Larson controlled Volvo's two main business areas, economics and mechanical engineering. The efforts of two people were based on determination and discipline, two qualities that were often the key to business success in industry during the first half of the 20th century. It was their common approach that laid the foundation for Volvo's first and most important value: quality.
Volvo name
SKF was a serious guarantor of the production of the first thousand cars: 500 convertibles and 500 hardtops. Since one of the main activities of SKF was the production of bearings, the name Volvo was proposed for cars, which means “I roll” in Latin. Thus, 1927 was the birth year of Volvo.
To characterize your child, a symbol was needed. They chose steel and Swedish heavy industry, since cars started being made from Swedish steel. The "Symbol of Iron" or "Symbol of Mars" as it was called after the Roman god of war was placed in the center of the radiator grill on the first passenger passenger car Volvo and later at all trucks mobiles Volvo. The "Mark of Mars" was tightly attached to the radiator by the simplest method: a steel rim was attached diagonally across the radiator grille. As a result, the diagonal stripe has become a trusted and well-known symbol of Volvo and its products, in fact one of the strongest brands in the automotive industry.
When the Volvo P1800 sports car turned 50 years old, the Swedish automaker decided to “modernize” the car. True, only on paper - run in mass production a modernized version of the model, drawn by Volvo chief designer Christopher Benjamin, is not being assembled yet.
At the same time, some experts note that such a car could well find its buyer. The key to commercial success would be the glory of the original P1800 sports car, which was considered the most attractive Volvo in the history of the Swedish brand. The appearance of the Volvo P1800 coupe in 1957 was created by designer Pelle Pettersson, who at that time worked in the Italian studio Pietro Frua. At first, the Swedes were going to launch the production of this model at the German company Karmann, which belonged to the Volkswagen concern, but the disagreements that arose during the negotiations led to the need to find another partner. As a result, serial production of the car was started only in 1961, while cars were assembled in the UK, at the Jensen factory.
The first Volvo P1800s were equipped with gasoline engine with a capacity of 100 horsepower, but in 1966 he was replaced by a 115-horsepower unit. In addition to the coupe, the car could be ordered in cabriolet and station wagon bodies. The total circulation of P1800 for 13 years amounted to 37.5 thousand copies.
In parallel, Volvo begins to produce its first trucks, which were based on the same Jacob.
So, since the 30s of the twentieth century, Volvo has been introducing new introductions to mechanical engineering. A new six-cylinder engine was invented, tested and put into production, brake pads installed on all 4 wheels, interior soundproofing, a silencer is installed, a radiator grille appears - and after all these innovations, the power of the car does not fall in any way! No wonder the company weathers the global economic crisis. Before the Second World War, Volvo pleases its customers with an aerodynamic body.
The 40s passed under the sign of the World War. But Volvo does not lose ground, but on the contrary, it stays afloat, invents new innovations. After surviving the war and having completed the production of car modifications for military needs, Volvo returns to the production of civilian cars. Model PV444, after all the modifications, conquers the market. The company is increasing production and, consequently, the export of cars.
In the 50s, Volvo put a lot of emphasis on safety. Improved brakes, seat belts. A special committee is set up to study various accidents.
In the 60s - 70s. the company enters into agreements with DAF and Renault, which increases the performance and power of cars. New modifications and models are released - Amazone, models 240 and 345. In the 80s, car production per year reaches 400,000! We should not forget that the company continues to care about safety, as evidenced by the numerous awards for modifying the seat belt - the world's first three-point belt that improves safety by 50%.
The 90s again bring success to the company. Relations have been established with the French company Renault in the field of production of cars, trucks and buses; a lucrative agreement was signed with Mitsubishi and the Dutch government to create a new brand. But main fact this decade is the release of the 960, which was equipped with automatic transmission gears. The new car was modified with the help of Japanese colleagues from Mitsubishi - a nice design appeared.
At the moment, the Volvo brand is a safety brand. They go through the streets like this popular models like S40, S60, S80, V70, XC70, XC90. Cars are chosen for comfort, safety and reliability. Every year, the brand pleases with novelties and innovations, both in the field of safety and in the field of reliability of car robots. And besides this, Volvo produces reliable engines for boats and ships.
And now consider history of Volvo in chronological order:
1924 - the idea of creating the first machine-building plant in Sweden.
1927 - after three years of preparation, the first car of the Volvo brand - OV4 "Jakob" is released into the world, 300 cars were assembled.
1937 - release of new similar models - PV51 and PV52, 1800 cars were produced.
1940s - modernization of cars for military needs, then a strike of workers, a lack of materials. Design and assembly of PV444, an average of 3000 cars are produced per year.
1953 - release of a new family-type car - Volvo Duett.
1954 - an unprecedented step of the company - a guarantee is issued for a car for as much as 5 years! The first Volvo sports car is produced, which never became fashionable.
1956 - The Amazon brand is launched.
1958 - Volvo exports reach 100,000.
1959 - an event occurred that later made Volvo considered the safest car - the three-point seat belt was invented.
1960-1966 — the new Volvo 1800 and Volvo P 144 cars are presented, which were rightfully considered the safest cars in the world.
1967 - modernized child seat, now it can be placed against the movement.
1974 - The Volvo 240 was released, which included all kinds of safety that existed at that time.
1976-1982 - the company produces Volvo 343 and Volvo 760, which conquer the market, Volvo is famous all over the world.
1985 - The first front-wheel drive car appears - the Volvo 480 ES sports car.
1990-1991 - Developed and installed on the Volvo 850 side impact protection. The production of the Volvo 960 model was launched, which had a 6-cylinder engine and a power of 240 hp.
1995 - the release of the famous cars Volvo S40 and V40.
1996 - Now Volvo pleases its customers with the beautiful Volvo C70.
1998 - release of the Volvo S80 not only comfortable car, but also one of the safest cars in the world, thanks to whiplash protection.
1999 - Volvo buys out Ford, which still owns it to this day.
2002 - A year of great changes in Volvo products. The first SUV XC90 was announced, the restyling of the s40, s80 models was carried out. Volvo has already taken a firm step into the super-powered car market with the S60R and V70R. The company's design studio has been developing its own SUV for some time now. All leading European manufacturers, even Posrsche, have prepared or started producing their parquet "jeeps". And finally, in August 2002, mass production of the XC90 model was launched.
2003 - At the Geneva Motor Show, Volvo showcased its next concept car from the "Volvo Designers' Vision for the Cars of the Future" series. Concept car VCC (Versability Concept Car - "Adaptive Concept Car").
The model range of the Swedish company Volvo has replenished with one more all-wheel drive car - following the Volvo S60 and V70, the flagship of the company, the Volvo S80 sedan, also received all-wheel drive. This car uses a system similar to that of the Volvo S60.
2004 - The appearance of the long-awaited new products of the Swedish company: cars Volvo S40 and Volvo V50. The new Volvo S40 is 50 mm shorter than its predecessor, but despite this, Volvo offers the features and qualities of larger Volvo models.
2005 - Japanese company Yamaha has released the first engine for the new Volvo XC90 V8.
2007 - Volvo's anniversary year began with the Motor Show in Detroit, where it presents a new concept XC60. Looking back and looking closely at the characteristics of the cars that the company has produced over the past decades, the new car is hardly recognizable as a Volvo. conceptual model The XC60 is a flashy crossover. The car's design features unusual solutions that make the XC60 unique. appearance. In the same year, Volvo launches new versions of its flagship models, the V70 and XC70, which debuted at the Motor Show in Geneva.
Well, about modern models, you are all probably aware of advertising articles in the media.
sources
http://www.tneo.ru
http://www.swedmobil.ru
http://avtomarket.ru
http://volvo.infocar.com.ua
http://www.volvoclub.ru