Volvo Cars - Safety Over Beauty

Volvo cars aren't flashy. Some may even say it's boring. Though the cars aren't as boxy as they used to be, in terms of design, they are not as elegant as the Italians, not as posh as some of the English Cars, not as powerful as the Americans and not as numerous as the Japanese and Korean Cars. But why do you think that after so many years, Volvo car sales have been steady, even in the Bridgend area? Why is it that Volvo car sale have throughout the years maintained its percentages so well? What makes Volvo such a steady brand when it comes to automobiles and not as volatile as its American Counterparts.


Safety. When it comes to the most important aspect of owning an automobile, Volvo leads the way. Volvo cars are safe. After all, they were the company who first came up with seat belts, anti locking brakes, air bags, and the computerized black box that consistently monitors all the internal processes of the car. A Volvo or SUV is top of mind for couples with newborns and have the budget to purchase a car. A Volvo is the car you would want when taking your wife and your children on a road trip. It is the family car when it comes to safety because a Volvo will get you safely from point A to point B.

If you are in Wales, drop by a Volvo dealership in Bridgend and have a go see at the new models available. They have become sleeker and less boxy but still are the safest rides available. Even the classic Volvo Station Wagon series has had a major uplift and now is more SUV looking that wood panel station wagon, supermarket friendly. Their sedans have also a better appeal to the male market and they have been gaining ground on the coupe market as well, adding some zing with the speed but still being safe to drive.

Volvo automobiles have been around for almost 60 years and it has created a niche market for those who prioritized safety over beauty and looks. Volvo has now made headways into the car market by modernizing its design without sacrificing safety. It is still the car of choice for people who like to play it safe when riding a car. Volvo Cars are here to stay, evolve, and gain more ground in its own niche.

The Latest Volvo Cars

Volvo continue to be a key player in the United Kingdom motoring trade as they maintain their reputation for rolling out well built and stylish cars. The company pride themselves on their Scandinavian design model which balances niche technology with elegant, but functional, styling.

This balance of style and technology is highlighted in the Cross Country range of cars. Built into the popular XC60 is now only safety but also efficiency as this car can notch up to 725 miles on just one tank of petrol. And, not only does the XC60 boast a beautifully designed interior, but this hatchback allows plenty of space for carriage.

The XC70 is built for hard work and includes functionality such as Hill Descent Control and Instant Traction enabling it to negotiate the roughest of terrains. Such a rugged car deserves and has a muscular exterior but also features elegance in its interior design. Safety in the XC70 is enhanced by auto brakes, protective laminated glass and improved vision.


If it is more space you require then the XC90 is for you with seven seats in its stylish and comfortable interior. And the four wheel drive means that the XC90 can be driven safely in the harshest of conditions while dual screen rear seat entertainment keeps the passengers happy.

The Volvo estate car range is also a by-word for quality. The V50 can comfortably carry five adult passengers and still leave enough room for luggage. Despite its high performance the V50 won't put a dent in your wallet as it it can travel 825 miles on just one tank of petrol. Coupled with a first rate in-car sound system and stylish interior, this car is a pleasure to drive.

The V70 Volvo estate is certainly state of the art. Performance of the V70 is dynamic in both its petrol and diesel models which can travel 890 miles on a full tank. State of the art entertainment is also on offer courtesy of the car's individual rear seat entertainment systems with connectivity for TV and iPod.

Modern and sleek is Volvo's own description of their range of salons. The S40 boasts R-Design tail-gate spoilers, front grille and sports-style seats. It's S80 sister model offers pure luxury sitting on a sports chassis. The S80 offers keyless drive, allowing the car to start just by having the keys in your possession.

Volvo Before the Turn of the Century

What started as a subsidiary of ball bearing manufacturer SKF is now the leading manufacturer of safety oriented vehicle in the world. Volvo Cars, previously a part of AB Volvo, is now owned by the Ford Motor Company.

But before the Michigan based automaker got their hands on the car manufacturing segment of Volvo, the company has faced numerous challenges and has come out as one of the more popular high end vehicle producers in the industry. During the 1990's, before the turn of the century, Volvo made a great leap by modernizing their lineup to cope with the changing times and the changing needs of the consumers.

In the autumn of 1990, Volvo released the Volvo 960 a midsize luxury car. The said vehicle was released for the 1991 model year. The 960 is the successor of the Volvo 760. A major changes made in the 960 as compared to the 760 is the direct overhead cam, 24-valve inline six-cylinder engine which is complemented by high performance Volvo 960 parts.


Throughout the 90's, the Volvo 960 received upgrades for the 1992, 1993, and 1994 model years. The revision of the 960 shows Volvo's dedication to cope with the changing demands by consumers of the auto industry. Some of the changes made in the 960 are the curvy seats, and the redesigned seatbelts equipped with hydraulic pretensioners which shows Volvo's dedication to producing safe cars. Dual front airbags were made as standard in some market for the 1994 model year in the Volvo 960.

In 1998, before Volvo Cars was sold to the Ford Motor Company, Volvo launched the S80. The midsize luxury executive car S80 is the successor of the Volvo 960. The first S80 rolled out of Volvo's assembly plant on May 6, 1998. All S80 units are produced in Volvo's plant in Torslanda in Gothenburg, Sweden.

During the early existence of the S80, Volvo did not offer a wagon version for it. Only more recently did Volvo markets a wagon version of the S80, the third generation V70.

After Ford acquired Volvo Cars, the brand has managed to get a hold on auto markets all over the world. The European brand currently has 2,500 dealerships scattered over 100 markets in the globe. The company's biggest sales come from Europe with 60 percent of their sales coming from the continent. Thirty percent of their sales come from North America, particularly the United States, and the remaining ten percent is divided by different countries all over the world, most notably in the Asian continent.