Fifty Years of Volvo Versatility ... Wagon Segment Leader Celebrates a Milestone

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IRVINE, Calif., July 8 -- This month fifty years ago, the
first Volvo wagon rolled off the assembly line in Gothenburg, Sweden. Many of
the Volvo wagons produced since that time have found their way to the United
States. In fact, Volvo leads European imports and has literally become an
icon for the segment.
Long before the SUV and many years preceding the Mini-Van, there was the
station wagon. With its deep-seeded roots in utility, the wagon evolved into
an essential vehicle for versatility, recreation and family fun. Along the
way Volvo has been integral to the ride, and in many cases in the driver's
seat, during fifty years of change.
"Even in Volvo's most advanced and stylistic models, the company remains
true to its core beliefs," said Vic Doolan, president and CEO, Volvo Cars of
North America. "Both the V70 wagon, and its go-anywhere cousin the XC70 all-
wheel-drive Cross-Country variant, offer American car buyers exactly what our
colleagues hoped to bring to the world market half-a-century ago," Doolan
said.
Volvo's first wagon, a humble beginning indeed, resulted from an excess of
chassis for the company's popular, PV444. Constructed of legendary Swedish
steel, world renowned for its strength and durability, the frames were already
in demand by companies that constructed rugged utility and delivery vans.
In 1953, with 1,500 chassis remaining after production plans of the PV444,
the founders of Volvo's proclaimed, "We will build our own," and Volvo's
concept of versatility was born: the Duett.
The Duett was named for its 'dual purpose' as a flexible, fast, yet
durable van during working hours and a spacious, stylish, comfortable
passenger car during leisure time. The Duett would be the platform from which
all successive Volvo wagons would evolve. No other manufacturer can look back
on such an experience in the building of practical influence like the Swedish
marquee. And no other automobile company has received so many honors for its
standards in versatility. Volvo versatility is in a class of its own.
A modern station wagon, or sports or utility wagon is a versatile vehicle,
offering load space, flexibility, comfort, driving fun and certainly an
attractive design. Over the course of 50 years, Volvo has inexhaustibly
established values and developed characteristics that separate the brand from
its competitors.
Volvo design philosophy mirrors true Scandinavian design principles where
'form and function' are combined to create a wagon for all seasons. Volvo's
approach has been that the tire 'foot print' should help define how usable the
interior space. In part, Volvo's tall sides (boxy) delineate an interior that
is maximized for storage / versatility.
Safety, value, and care for the environment are core characteristics that
have been intrinsically woven into everything that Volvo does. From the first
Duett with 44 horsepower to the hi-tech 300 horsepower of the 2004 V70R, Volvo
has proven its commitment to maintaining the 'soul of the brand.'

A glance back at "Fifty Years of Volvo Versatility" reveals a continuum of
innovations, utility, and safety:

-- With the P122 Wagon, or 'Amazon,' Volvo's consultation with doctors in
the field of back pain led the way to the development of the most
technologically 'orthopedically designed ' seats in the industry.
(1962-1969)

-- The Volvo 145 was Volvo's first five-door wagon with a rear section
that included a one-piece vertical tailgate. The design literally
opened up vast horizons in terms of cargo space and is the basic
characteristic for all future Volvo wagons. (1967-1974)

-- The Volvo 245 was produced for nineteen years and quickly elevated
Volvo into the realm of cult car status. European men rated it as
high as being able to spend an evening with a beautiful actress on
their 'wish lists.' In the U.S., the 240 series was used in testing
by the U.S. government to establish future safety standards
(DOT/NHTSA) standards for safety. (1974-1993)

By this time, thousands of Volvo Amazons, 145s and 245s were being passed
from original owners and parents to children now of driving age and other
first-time Volvo drivers. In the process, Volvo's image of remaining true to
its core values was accepted by millions of American drivers. "By the 1970s
Volvo had established an image of safety, security and responsibility.
Unfortunately, we weren't viewed as being much fun! And so, in 1985 Volvo
designers convinced the engineers and safety experts that Volvo could be both
responsible and sporty."

-- In the mid-eighties, the 700 series wagon went into production with
more of a focus on contemporary lifestyle and leisure. The Volvo 740
Turbo Wagon was the only wagon on the market that could reach 0-60 mph
in 7.4 seconds with top speed of about 121 mph, turn around in 34
feet, tow 3,300 lbs. and swallow 74.9 cubic feet of cargo -- while
offering luxury car comfort at the same time. (1985-1992)

-- With the production of the Volvo 850 Wagon, Volvo proved once again
that there is no contradiction between a family wagon versatility and
true driving pleasure. The Volvo 850 wagon created racing history by
being the first wagon ever and Volvo's first car entry in the
prestigious BTCC, the British Touring Car Championship. The Volvo 850
was the first car in the world to offer side-impact airbags. (1993-
1996)

-- Upon the introduction of the Volvo V40, the first Volvo to carry the
designation of "V" for versatility was introduced. Slightly smaller
than any Volvo wagon before it, the Volvo V40 is just as much fun to
drive, just as comfortable and versatile and is perhaps the safest car
in its market segment. (1995 - present)

-- For all the advancements and accolades received by the 850,
nonetheless, there were more than 1,800 changes in the evolution to
its successor -- the V70. The V70 fulfils high environmental goals,
equipped with a 'Prem-Air' catalytic system, which eradicates ozone
near the ground level. Currently available in an R version, it's 300
horsepower / 295 ft.lbs. of torque, three-position adjustable
suspension and all-wheel-drive this is Volvo's most significant
performance vehicle to date. (1996 - present)

-- The flagship of Volvo wagons is the V70 XC ("Cross Country").
Positioned as the SUV alternative, this rugged sport wagon, now named
XC70 has garnered many awards, most recently "The Best All-Wheel Drive
Wagon" by SmartMoney magazine. (2000 - present)


"The Volvo PV445 (Duett) delivered safety-conscious automotive comfort and
performance, suited to the world ... at that time. Today, the Volvo wagon line
upholds that heritage of commitment to social, transportation and economic
values ... quicker and a bit more stylishly than in 1953," Vic Doolan
concluded.
VCNA, part of the Volvo Car Corporation of Gothenburg, Sweden, provides
marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to Volvo
automobile retailers in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico.
The 2003/2004 Volvo automobile line includes the award-winning XC90, the
sporty S60 sedan -- including the award-winning performance sedan - S60 R, the
flagship S80 luxury sedan, versatile V70 wagon and rugged XC70 (Cross
Country), the C70 convertible, and the compact S40 and V40 models.

For More Information:

Stephen R Bohannon - 800.970.0888
VP, Public Affairs, Volvo Cars of North America, LLC

Volvo Media Website: http://www.volvocars-pr.com




SOURCE Volvo Cars of North America, LLC
Web Site: http://www.volvocars-pr.com