Some of our innovations have literally changed the world—ever since Nils Bohlin introduced the three-point safety belt in 1959, an estimated one million lives have been saved. And our ‘Lambda Sond,’ which reduced harmful emissions by 90%, now graces nearly every car in the world.
It’s true that everything we do starts with people, and we’re very proud of the great personalities that have made Volvo Cars what it is, from our 1927 founders Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larson, through to designer Pelle Petterson, who designed the iconic P1800.
When enthusiasts discovered what tough cars Volvos are, they started to go rallying, and in 1965, a PV544 won the grueling Safari Rally. Following up that great win, a 122S Amazon took victory in the Acropolis rally in the same year. And in 1994, Volvo Cars shocked the motorsport world by being the first ever manufacturer team to enter an estate racing car with the 850.