Catalog Volvo 2024

The Volvo Group is a well-known Swedish multinational company whose main activities are the production, distribution and sale of trucks, buses, construction and military equipment. The company also provides various services, including financial ones. Additionally, under the Volvo brand, passenger cars are produced by the Chinese manufacturer Geely, which acquired the rights in 2010, as well as various related products such as components, engine and transmission oils, coolants, and more.

The Volvo brand was registered in 1911 by the Swedish bearing manufacturer SKF. The name is Latin for "I roll" and was a perfect fit for the company's new series of ball bearings. However, the manufacturer subsequently transferred this name to absolutely all of its products. And when in 1925 the idea arose to start producing cars, the sonorous and memorable name Volvo was suitable for this purpose.

In 1927, the first Volvo ÖV 4, also known as Jakob, was introduced – it is claimed that this name arose due to the fact that the start of sales of the car took place on July 25, St. Jacob's Day. It was a timber-framed convertible, highly durable and able to withstand the harsh climate and poor roads of Sweden – the emphasis on durability and reliability would eventually become a hallmark of the brand. Jacob's signature feature was a diagonal stripe running across the radiator grille, which would later become a common feature on all cars of the brand.

In 1928, the first Volvo truck appeared, followed by the first bus in 1934. In the early 1940s, aircraft engines were added to the growing product range. In 1950, Volvo absorbed the Swedish manufacturer of construction and agricultural equipment Bolinder-Munktell, which allowed the brand to enter the special equipment market.

In the decades that followed, the brand's defining characteristic was its commitment to safety. The company had many innovations in this area, such as the three-point seat belt, introduced in 1959 which became a standard in the automotive industry. Other safety innovations followed, including rear-facing child seats and side-impact protection.

During the 1970s, Volvo continued to strengthen its position in the global market. In 1974, the Volvo 240 was launched and became one of the most recognizable and popular models in the company's history. During this period, Volvo also actively developed its truck business, which contributed to business diversification and strengthened the company's financial stability. During the 1980s, Volvo continued to introduce new technologies and expand its model range. In 1986, the Volvo 480 was introduced, the company's first production model with front-wheel drive. In 1989, the company acquired the Dutch car manufacturer DAF, which allowed it to strengthen its position in the European market.

In January 1999, the Volvo Group sold Volvo Car Corporation to Ford Motor Company, deciding to focus entirely on heavy trucks, buses and special equipment. Subsequently, in 2010, Volvo Cars was acquired by the Chinese multinational company Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. Geely has introduced many interesting models, such as the Volvo XC90 and Volvo XC60, which have received recognition for their innovative design and high safety standards. But they are no longer directly related to the Volvo Group.