Category: Volvo Cars

All-new Volvo XC90 reaches close to 24,000 pre-orders

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With the all-new Volvo XC90 in the middle of its launch phase, almost 24,000 pre-orders or close to half of the expected full-year volume have already been signed for the new car. This is a clear statement of the interest for the first new model based on Volvo’s in-house developed Scalable Product Architecture (SPA). First deliveries of the all-new XC90 to customers will start later this spring.

First quarter retail sales figures show that Volvo Cars’ XC model range continues to grow in popularity, with sales of the Volvo XC60 and XC70 crossover models growing by 17 and 23 per cent respectively over the period. This underlines customers’ continued interest in the XC range and further strengthens the outlook for the all-new XC90.

Globally, the company reported first quarter retail sales of 107,721 cars with growth in Europe and the US market.

In Europe, Volvo Cars’ key markets UK and Germany both reported solid growth in quarter one with sales increasing 6.7 per cent and 7.1 per cent, respectively. The Volvo XC60 and V40 models were the growth drivers in Europe which reported total retail sales of 43,522 cars.

Sweden continues to perform strongly with a 7.9 per cent increase for the first quarter, outperforming the market and retaining close to a 20 per cent share of the market. Sales in the United States were up by 0.2 per cent to 13,723 cars for the first quarter, with strong demand for the XC60 and XC70 models. China sales amounted to 17,311 cars, where the Volvo XC60 crossover was the best-selling model, followed by the S60L sedan which will soon arrive in a Twin Engine petrol plug-in hybrid version developed for the Chinese market.

“The fantastic reception for the all-new Volvo XC90 gives me confidence that the car will meet our customers’ high expectations once we start delivering the first XC90s later this spring,” says Alain Visser, Senior Vice President Marketing, Sales and Customer Service at Volvo Cars. “We are well-positioned to deliver another year of record sales in 2015.”

Volvo Cars presents a unique system solution for integrating self-driving cars into real traffic‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

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Volvo Cars presents a unique, complete system solution that makes it possible to integrate self-driving cars into real traffic – with ordinary people in the driver’s seat. The solution was presented today via an interactive, online press conference.

“We are entering uncharted territory in the field of autonomous driving,” says Dr Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research and Development of Volvo Car Group. “Taking the exciting step to a public pilot, with the ambition to enable ordinary people to sit behind the wheel in normal traffic on public roads, has never been done before.”

As the Drive Me project enters its second year, Volvo Cars is moving rapidly towards the aim of placing 100 self-driving cars in the hands of customers on selected roads around Gothenburg by 2017. The public pilot, one-of-a-kind collaboration between legislators, transport authorities, a major city and a vehicle manufacturer, is a central component of Volvo Cars’ plan to achieve sustainable mobility and ensure a crash-free future.

From lost time to quality time
Based on an extensive analysis of potential technical faults, Volvo Cars has designed a complete production-viable autonomous driving system. The key to making this unprecedented leap is a complex network of sensors, cloud-based positioning systems and intelligent braking and steering technologies.

“Autonomous driving will fundamentally change the way we look at driving. In the future, you will be able to choose between autonomous and active driving,” says Dr Mertens. “This transforms everyday commuting from lost time to quality time, opening up new opportunities for work and pleasure.”

Moving beyond demonstrators
Volvo Cars’ Autopilot system is designed to be reliable enough to allow the car to take over every aspect of driving in autonomous mode. The technology advances a crucial step beyond the automotive systems demonstrated so far since it includes fault-tolerant systems.

“It is relatively easy to build and demonstrate a self-driving concept vehicle, but if you want to create an impact in the real world, you have to design and produce a complete system that will be safe, robust and affordable for ordinary customers,” says Dr Erik Coelingh, Technical Specialist at Volvo Cars.

The main challenge is to design an Autopilot that is robust for traffic scenarios as well as for technical faults that may occur. It cannot be expected that the driver is ready to suddenly intervene in a critical situation. Initially, the cars will drive autonomously on selected roads with suitable conditions, for example without oncoming traffic, cyclists and pedestrians.

Back-up systems
“Making this complex system 99 per cent reliable is not good enough. You need to get much closer to 100 per cent before you can let self-driving cars mix with other road users in real-life traffic,” says Erik Coelingh. “Here, we have a similar approach to that of the aircraft industry. Our fail-operational architecture includes backup systems that will ensure that Autopilot will continue to function safely also if an element of the system were to become disabled.”

For example, the probability of a brake system failure is very small, but a self-driving vehicle needs a second independent system to brake the vehicle to a stop, as it is unlikely that the driver will be prepared to press the brake pedal.

Handles complicated scenarios
On the road, the complete technology solution shall handle even the most complicated scenarios, from smooth commuting to heavy traffic and emergency situations.

“Just as good drivers would, potentially critical situations are approached with sensible caution. In a real emergency, however, the car reacts faster than most humans,” says Erik Coelingh.

When autonomous driving is no longer available – due to exceptional weather conditions, technical malfunction or the end of the route has been reached – the driver is prompted by the system to take over again.

If the driver is incapacitated for any reason and does not take over in time, the car will bring itself to a safe place to stop.

Consumer and societal benefits
In addition to simplifying people’s lives and transforming the everyday commute from lost time to quality time, self-driving cars create environmental benefits.

Volvo Cars expects that autonomous driving could cut fuel consumption. The technology could also improve traffic flow as well as open up possibilities for urban planning and more cost-efficient investments in infrastructure.

“Developing a complete technological solution for self-driving cars is a major step. Once the public pilot is up and running, it will provide us with valuable knowledge about implementing self-driving cars in the traffic environment, and help us explore how they can contribute to sustainable mobility. Our smart vehicles are a key part of the solution, but a broad societal approach is vital to offer sustainable personal mobility in the future. This unique cross-functional co-operation is the key to a successful implementation of self-driving vehicles,” says Erik Coelingh.

A selection of Drive Me system solution components:

Sensor technologies
Volvo Cars is developing a holistic solution that generates exact positioning and a complete 360° view of the car’s surroundings. This is achieved by a combination of multiple radars, cameras and laser sensors. A redundant network of computers processes the information, generating a real-time map of moving and stationary objects in the environment.

Precise positioning is based on this surround information together with GPS and a high definition 3D digital map that is continuously updated with real-time data. The system is reliable enough to work without requiring driver supervision.

Combined radar and camera
The combined 76 GHz frequency-modulated continuous wave radar and camera placed in the windscreen is the same as that in the all-new XC90. This system reads traffic signs and the road’s curvature and can detect objects on the road such as other road users.

Surround radars
Four radars behind the front and rear bumpers (one on each corner of the car) are able to locate objects in all directions. By sweeping both left and right, transmitting waves that bounce off signs, poles, and tunnels, they monitor a full 360° around the car.

360° surround vision
Four cameras monitor objects in close proximity to the vehicle. Two are under the outer rear-view mirrors, one is in the rear bumper and one is in the grille. Besides detecting objects at close range, these cameras monitor lane markings.

The cameras have a high dynamic range and can handle very quick changes in lightning conditions, e.g. when entering a tunnel.

Multiple beam laser scanner
This sensor system is placed in the front of the vehicle, below the air intake. The scanner can identify objects in front of the car and ensures very high angle resolution. It can also distinguish between objects. The unique laser sensor has a range of 150 metres for vehicles and covers a 140° field of view.

Trifocal camera
In addition, a trifocal camera placed behind the upper part of the windscreen is three cameras in one, providing a broad 140° view, a 45° view and a long-range, yet narrow, 34° view for improved depth perception and distant-object detection. The camera can spot suddenly appearing pedestrians and other unexpected road hazards.

Long-range radars
Two long-range radars placed in the rear bumper of the car ensure a good rearward field of view. This technology is particularly useful when changing lanes because it can detect fast-moving vehicles approaching from far behind.

Ultrasonic sensors
Twelve ultrasonic sensors around the car are used to identify objects close to the vehicle and support autonomous drive at low speeds.

The sensors are based on the technology used for current park assist functions enhanced with advanced signal processing.
A typical example of when this technology is useful is for detecting unexpected situations, such as pedestrians or hazards on the road close to the car.

High definition 3D digital map
A high definition 3D digital map is the tool used to provide the vehicle with information about the surroundings, e.g. altitude, road curvature, number of lanes, geometry of tunnels, guard rails, signs, exits, etc. The position geometry is in many cases at centimetre level.

High performance positioning
The high performance GPS is one part of the positioning control that is enhanced by a combination of an advanced GPS, a 3-degrees of freedom accelerometer and a 3-degrees of freedom gyro. By matching the 360 image created by the multitude of sensors with the map image, the car will get the information about its position in relation to the surroundings.

By combining the information from the sensors and the map, the Drive Me car is able to choose the best course in real time, factoring in variables such as the curvature of the road, speed limit, temporary signs and other traffic.

Cloud services
The cloud service is connected to the traffic authorities’ control centre. This ensures that the most up-to-date traffic information is always available. The control centre operators also have the ability to tell the drivers to turn off the autonomous drive mode if necessary.

Volvo Cars’ new plant in Torslanda increases manufacturing capacity from 200,000 to 300,000 cars a year

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Volvo Cars today opens its new 24,000 square meters manufacturing facility in Torslanda, Gothenburg, increasing its manufacturing capacity from approximately 200,000 cars a year to approximately 300,000 a year and moving it a significant step closer towards achieving its long term goal of selling 800,000 cars a year.

The new body shop will be used to manufacture the all new XC90 SUV, which will be launched later this year and go on sale in the first quarter of next year. The XC90 will be the first Volvo to use the company’s new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), a flexible system for making a range of models that improves design, economies of scale and safety, among other things.

The new plant is being inaugurated on the same day that Volvo celebrates the 50th anniversary of its plant in Torslanda and forms part of Volvo’s ongoing USD 11 billion transformation plan, almost half of which is being spent on developing its new vehicle architecture and the development of its Drive-E engine range.

“With the investment in a new body shop we are creating the potential to increase production capacity in Torslanda from today’s approximately 200,000 cars annually to 300,000 cars”, said Lars Wrebo, Senior Vice President, Purchasing & Manufacturing. ”This investment show very clearly that Volvo Cars believes in Sweden as production location and also the importance of having manufacturing close to research and development.”

Håkan Samuelsson, President & CEO, said the new plant represents a significant investment by Volvo Cars in its own future as well as in the future of the city of Gothenburg, where it has been based for the last 87 years.

“It is particularly appropriate that we are today celebrating 50 years of car making in Torslanda at the same time as underlining our commitment to our future as a global car manufacturer by expanding our manufacturing capacity in Gothenburg,” he said. “What we are saying today is this: Torslanda is both our headquarters and our home.”

The new plant is one of the most modern in the world, not simply in terms of the technology it uses, but also the working practices it utilizes. On the technology front, the plant will use approximately 300 robots, but significantly it has reduced the level of automation on the production line in favor of increasing the manner in which robots and qualified workers operate together. Having fewer robots reduces investment costs and means floor space is utilized better.

On the relationship between the robots and workers, the new plant will work with smaller teams of between five to eight people, rather than 15 or so in the rest of Torslanda. All the team members will work closely together and must be able to carry out fault tracing, corrections and maintenance. This has created a more flexible production process that is also able to reduce stoppage time and thus efficiency and production volumes. The new plant expects to employ around 80 new qualified workers.

Volvo unveils the revolutionary Inflatable Child Seat Concept

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Children’s car seats are historically bulky, hard to move and tedious to mount. This is why Volvo Cars has designed a lightweight and inflatable rearward-faced child seat concept using groundbreaking technology. The seat is safe, easy to pack and carry and will enable parents to use it in many situations not practical with the seats on the market today.

Lawrence Abele, Design Manager at the Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center in Los Angeles and the designer behind the new seat, had his two children in mind while designing the concept seat: “For me child safety is always the number one priority and when we lived abroad with two toddlers we had to haul bulky child seats through airports and then into taxis. For many, traveling with young children is a challenge; any assistance to simplify the parents’ life with young children is a great thing.”

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The concept presents new opportunities, for example grandparents and friends who take care of your kids and need an ultra mobile child seat. It is also very convenient when travelling by taxi, rental car or bus, situations where you historically had to rely on the safety measures available.

Inflates in 40 seconds
The seat has an innovative pump system that is silent and efficient in its construction. The seat inflates in less than 40 seconds and deflates with an integrated pump. The total weight of the seat less than 5 kg, half the weight of a contemporary seat, and it is constantly online via Bluetooth enabling a wide range of features, including remote controlled inflation. It fits into a weekend bag together with other necessities for your child.

Unique drop-stitch fabrics
“We used a unique material called drop-stitch fabric when creating the prototype of the seat. This fabric is very strong when inflated as it can be brought to a very high internal pressure. It is a quite common technology in the boating industry and was originally developed by the military in an effort to develop inflatable airplanes”, says Maria Hansson, Project Manager at Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center in Los Angeles.

Rear-faced safest
The Inflatable Child Seat Concept faces the rear of the car, as it is the safest way for children to travel. A child’s neck is under development and not as strong as an adult’s neck. In a frontal impact collision, the head of a forward-facing car occupant is thrown forward inducing great strain on the neck. Children therefore need special restraints and to face the rear of the vehicle until at least 3-4 years of age.

“Actually, it would be better for all of us to travel facing the rear but given how cars are designed nowadays it’s not feasible. Young children, however, can and should travel facing the rear of the car as long as possible”, says Lawrence. “The goal was to design a seat as safe, or safer, than anything on the market right now but second to that I want everyone, including kids to be exposed to great design every day.”

Volvo Cars at Tokyo Motor Show

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The Volvo Concept Coupé will be the centre of attention when Volvo Car Group (Volvo Cars) returns to the Tokyo Motor Show this November, as the company introduces its new design strategy to customers and media around the globe. Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President Product Strategy and Vehicle Line Management at Volvo Cars, and Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President Design at Volvo Cars, will also attend the event’s press days on November 20 and 21.

Volvo Cars attends the Tokyo Motor Show this year for the first time in seven years, a sign of the growing importance of the Japanese market for Volvo Cars and the company’s strong momentum in the country. Volvo sales in Japan so far this year have been extremely strong, with sales up over 25 per cent compared to 2012 and at a level not seen since the late 1990s. Japanese customers have especially warmed to the Volvo V40, which was awarded the prestigious 2013 Imported Car of The Year award by the Automotive Researchers and Journalists Conference of Japan this month.

The rapid transformation of Volvo Cars is also highly evident in the Volvo Concept Coupé, which was first shown during the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The Volvo Concept Coupé showcases the capability of the company’s new Scalable Product Architecture, as well as the new, highly efficient four-cylinder Drive-E powertrains (formerly known as VEA) that are already now available in six Volvo models.

Volvo Cars’ strategy is to use electrification to create the most powerful versions in the Drive-E engine family, taking power figures up into V8 territory. The Volvo Concept Coupé is equipped with Volvo Cars’ ingenious plug-in hybrid technology. A high-performance petrol engine teamed with an electric motor on the rear axle gives the Volvo Concept Coupé a total output of about 400hp and over 600Nm of torque.

The Volvo Concept Coupé is the first in a series of three concept cars that demonstrate the new design direction of Volvo Cars and paves the way for the introduction of the All-New XC90 in 2014.

“We are creating a new product portfolio that blends a strong heritage with innovative technology and emotional design. Every core area is brought into a new dimension, also injecting more emotion into the rational properties that are the heart and soul of Volvo,” says Lex Kerssemakers.

“The Volvo Concept Coupé shows what you can expect from our new architecture: the confident stance, the proportions and the most prominent design signatures. Even though the all-new XC90 is a different type of car, you will recognize the connection instantly,” says Thomas Ingenlath.