From the world's first three-point safety belt to the world's first safety-concept car, Volvo has set the standard for automotive safety since 1927. Volvo's ongoing commitment to safety, the environment and innovation remains as strong today as it was over 80 years ago.
Brief History
Volvo was born on April 14, 1927, when the first car, 4, nicknamed ''Jakob,'' left the factory in Gothenburg. The Swedish company began over a crawfish lunch between two friends, Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larson.
Volvo's first six-cylinder car, the PV651, was introduced in 1929 and quickly became the standard for taxis throughout Sweden. In 1955, Volvo began exporting to the United States, and in 1966, the Volvo 164 was named "the world's safest car."
On March 8, 1999, Volvo shareholders approved the sale of Volvo cars to the Ford Motor Company. As part of the Ford Motor Company family of brands, the new millennium started very well, with the company selling 422,100 vehicles in 2000, a record year. In 2002, the long-awaited XC90—Volvo's first true SUV—was unveiled in Detroit and won North American International Auto Show Truck of the Year in 2003.
More Information
Visit the Volvo website or call 800-458-1552.
