| Looking for a car brand that is synonymous with | | | | introduced. It became federally mandated in the United |
| safety? Fret no more, because Volvo Cars is there to | | | | States starting from the 1986 model year. |
| brighten up your day. | | | | In the early 1990s, the Volvo 960 pioneered the middle |
| This European car manufacturer is known for many | | | | of the rear seat three-point seatbelt, and a child safety |
| technological innovations that incorporate safety | | | | cushion was introduced in the middle armrest. It was |
| features in their designs. Founded in 1927 in the city of | | | | also the same time period that the Side Impact |
| Gothenburg in Sweden, Volvo ("I spin" in Latin) was a | | | | Protection System (SIPS) was introduced. SIPS |
| spin-off from the roller ball bearing manufacturer SKF. | | | | diverted the force and shock of a side collision away |
| Until 1999, Volvo was operated by AB Volvo, until it | | | | from the doors and into the safety cage. Another |
| was acquired by the Ford Motor Company and | | | | innovation, the Whiplash Protection System (WPS) - |
| became part of its Premiere Automotive Group. Volvo | | | | which protected front seat users from injury during |
| is now in the same boat as the Land Rover, Aston | | | | collisions - was launched in 1998. in 2004, Volvo came |
| Martin, Jaguar and other luxury vehicle makers. | | | | up with the BLIS system, wherein the system (a side |
| Since the 1940's, safety has become a buzzword for | | | | view mirror mounted with a sensor) alerted the driver |
| Volvo Cars. It started with the introduction of the | | | | of a vehicle entering the Volvo's blind side via a light |
| laminated glass in the PV model. The PV series also | | | | signal. That year also saw all market sold Volvos |
| were the first to use what Volvo termed a "safety | | | | equipped with side-marker lights and daytime running |
| body". Volvo designers also pioneered the "safety | | | | lights. |
| cage" and ":crumple zone". In it, passengers are | | | | Volvo is also known for its three number naming |
| protected in a strong, encircling frame; the energy of | | | | system for its models. The first number in the naming |
| the collision is absorbed by the bonnet's or the boot's | | | | system was the series; the second, the number of |
| destruction. | | | | cylinders and the third, the number of doors. In later |
| The three-point seatbelt was also invented by Volvo. | | | | models, Volvo have dropped the meaning for the final |
| The seatbelt was introduced in 1957 and became | | | | digit. But the three digit naming system is still in use |
| standard equipment for all Volvo cars two years later. | | | | today albeit with a few modifications. Volvo now uses |
| Other car makers followed suit, the seatbelt became | | | | letters to denote the model's function (V for versatile, |
| accepted safety equipment and millions were saved | | | | S for saloon, C for coupe, XC for cross country) with |
| from possible harm by this gadget. | | | | the second number being the series. The last digit was |
| Padded dashboards for cars were introduced by the | | | | added by Volvo to distinguish its cars from other car |
| company in the late 1950s. Also, the pioneer | | | | manufacturers. |
| rear-facing child seat was launched in the late 1960s | | | | When it comes to quality cars, Volvo parts and with |
| while booster seats became available by 1978. In the | | | | safety in mind, only one car brand comes into mind: |
| mid-eighties, the first central high-mounted stoplight was | | | | Volvo. Are you owning one now? |