The Volvo concern, which has proven itself as a manufacturer of high-quality and reliable equipment, is one of the most influential representatives in Europe, in particular in the premium car segment. It has several factories specializing in the production of different cars. Model XC90 for Russia is assembled in Sweden and Belgium. Chinese-assembled cars are sold in the Asian market.
Between 2000 and 2007 swedish brand practically did not develop, offering customers old models with a limited list of engines. The following year was a defining year for the company and served as the starting point for its further successful development. This is due to the alliance with Chinese Geely. In fact, the Chinese bought the Swedish company, but the agreement still looks like a merger.
The Chinese manufacturer has committed itself not to change the name of the Volvo brand, to leave Sweden as the country of manufacture, and also not to use the developments of the Swedes for Gelly models.
In which countries are Volvo cars assembled?
There is a misconception that Volvo cars are assembled in Norway, Switzerland and even Germany. In fact, the main European production facilities of the brand are concentrated in Swedish city Torsland, as well as Belgian Ghent.
Until 2013, an enterprise in Uddevalla operated in Sweden, where the C70 model was produced. Other assembly companies Volvo cars not in Europe. In China, the assembly of Swedish cars is organized at a factory in Chengdu.
After the merger with the Chinese Geely, production in Gothenburg did not decrease, but even increased. This was facilitated by significant Chinese investment.
Merging benefits:
- Significant investments have made it possible to develop new vehicles, technologies and expand the lineup brand.
- Allowed to exchange experience with designers from Geely.
- The Chinese market opened up for Volvo, where its products were exempted from duties.
- The staff of the enterprise has expanded, production lines have been updated and automated.
Second generation Volvo XC90
Initially, the company planned to release the new XC90 in 2009-2010, but due to the merger with Geely, the deadline was postponed.
The world debut of the model took place in 2014, and the serial production at the plant in Gothenburg. The first cars arrived to their customers in the spring of 2015. For the brand's birthday, the Swedes released special version under the name First Edition with a circulation of 1927 units.
The cars sold out in 47 hours.
In 2016, the model was awarded the North American SUV award. The winner is determined by a commission of independent journalists. experienced similar success previous version car in 2003. In addition, the crossover showed top scores in its class according to Euro Ncap.
Volvo Personvagnar AB is a Swedish automotive company specializing in the production of cars and crossovers. Since 2010 is subsidiary Chinese company Geely Automobile(Zhejiang Geely Holding). The headquarters is located in Gothenburg (Sweden). Interestingly, the very word Volvo in Latin means "I roll."
At the origin of the founding of a Swedish manufacturer cars Assar Gabrielson and Gustav Larson stood. A chance meeting of college classmates in 1924 led to the formation of an automobile company under the wing of the bearing manufacturer SKF.
The first Volvo ÖV4 (Jacob) drove out of the factory gate on Hisingen Island in Gothenburg in April 1927. The car was from open top type phaeton, equipped with gasoline four-cylinder engine(28 hp) and could accelerate to 90 km / h. This was followed by the new Volvo PV4 sedan, and a year later Volvo Special - an extended version of the sedan. In the first year, only 297 cars were sold, but in 1929 already 1383 Volvo cars found their customers.
Even the first cars of the Swedish company were progressive technical filling and rich interior equipment. Leather sprung seats, wooden front panel, ashtray, window blinds, and all this in the late 20s of the last century.
The company develops and produces reliable cars, and its main hobby is safe cars. We note the most striking and significant models for the Swedish manufacturer:
PV650 was assembled in 1929-1937.
Volvo TR670 from 1930 to 1937.
PV 36 Carioca - 1935-1938.
The Volvo PV800 series was nicknamed "pig" and was very popular with Swedish taxi drivers, produced from 1938 to 1958.
PV60 - 1946-1950.
Volvo PV444/544 is the first car from Sweden with load-bearing body, rolled off the assembly line between 1943 and 1966.
The Duett station wagon was produced from 1953 to 1969.
A unique and rare P1900 roadster, only 58 cars were produced in 1956-1957 (according to some sources, 68).
Volvo Amazon was produced in three body styles: coupe, sedan and station wagon from 1956 to 1970. The car was the first in the world to be equipped with front three-point seat belts.
P1800 - one of the most beautiful sports coupes from Volvo, was produced from 1961 to 1973.
Volvo 66- compact hatchback, produced in 1975-1980.
Open the modern history of the Swedish company Volvo cars 140 Series, produced from 1966 to 1974.
four door Volvo sedan 164 represented Sweden in the luxury executive car segment from 1968 to 1975.
Volvo's next innovations in the form of 200 series cars won the love of motorists on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean due to their reliability and safety, cars were produced from 1974 to 1993 and were sold in excess of 2.8 million copies. in Europe and North America you can still find these models in enough good condition.
300 series- compact sedans and hatchbacks, produced from 1976 to 1991. They were replaced in 1987 by Volvo models 440 (hatchback) and 460 (sedan), production ceased in 1997.
One of the most striking and memorable cars in the history of Volvo was three-door hatchback Volvo 480, produced from 1986 to 1995. The car was the first Volvo with front-wheel drive and the only one in the production line with retractable headlights.
The 700 series mid-size sedans and station wagons were produced from 1982 to 1992. Cars have sold around the world with a circulation of 1430 thousand units.
The 700 series was replaced by the 900 series sedans in 1990. Cars were produced until 1998 and were able to repeat the result of the previous series in 1,430,000 cars sold.
Sedans and Volvo wagons 850 appeared in the line of the company in 1992. Over 1,360,000 vehicles have been sold in just over five years, and production of the model was discontinued in 1997.
In the 21st century, the Scandinavian company offers a wide range of model line. For every type Volvo bodies offers its letter designation: S - sedan, V - station wagon, C - coupe or convertible, XC - crossover.
The Swedish company Volvo is a leader in the global automotive industry in terms of the introduction of security systems used in passenger cars. Cars originally from Sweden are rightfully considered one of the safest in the global automotive market.
Volvo's car assembly plants are scattered all over the world, from the main production plants at the Torslanda and Uddevalla plants (Sweden) to the auxiliary plants in Ghent (Belgium), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Chongqing (China).
The model range in Russia is represented by Volvo C70, Volvo XC70, Volvo S80, Volvo XC90.
Apparently, it was destined by fate that the union of a brilliant financier, a talented businessman with a mechanical engineering genius was doomed to success. Decisiveness and discipline underpinned manufactured by Volvo allowed to get the perfect quality for a Swedish car.
Today, the model range of this brand includes a huge number of cars and trucks mobiles, and all major production units Volvo Cars still located in Europe (Ghent, Thorsland, Uddevalle).
Volvo in Sweden
In 1964, Volvo Cars in Torsland opened a brand new car factory, investing in it the largest investment in the industrial history of Sweden. For fifty years, thousands of people have been busy implementing bold projects. best designers. From the very first Volvo Amazon model, management has taken the right direction for the brand. Half a century later, the Torslanda plant was subjected to fundamental change and modernization and its opening in a new form is scheduled for April 24, 2014. The first model released after the facelift will be the XC90.
Volvo in Belgium
The largest production of the concern is today in Belgium. Here in the northeast of the country in the city of Ghent is located the most large plant Volvo in Europe. Since its opening in 1965, more than five million cars have rolled off its assembly line, and about 5 thousand people are employed in production. After the production of compact Volvo models from the Dutch plant Ned Car was transferred to Ghent, the volume of car production here increased to 270 thousand units. in year.
Volvo in China
Now the headquarters of the concern is still located in the Swedish city of Gothenburg. But in 2010, 100% of the shares were sold to the Chinese company Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.
In order to expand production in this region, Volvo Cars opened its first plant in the Middle Kingdom, near the city of Chengdu, at the end of 2013. The production facilities are located in the Chengdu Technological and Economic Development Zone, covering an area of more than 500,000 square meters. The Swedes are categorically determined to win the lion's share of the local automotive market and call China "the second home". In the near future, the number of cars assembled at this plant should reach 125 thousand units. in year.
Volvo means "I'm rolling" in Latin, and the circle of arrows is just a convenient symbol for steel, Sweden's biggest industry before iKEA. The circle and arrow symbolize the shield and spear of Mars, which are also alchemical symbols for iron. In 1924, in the Stockholm restaurant Sturehof on July 25 - the day that is called Jacob's Day in the Swedish calendar - Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larson decided to create Volvo.
Volvo's birthday is April 14, 1927, the day the first car, called the Jakob, left the factory in Gothenburg. However real story The development of the concern began a few years later. The 1920s are characterized by the beginning of real development automotive industry simultaneously in the US and Europe. In Sweden, they really became interested in cars in 1923 after an exhibition in Gothenburg. In the early 1920s, 12,000 cars were imported into the country. In 1925 their number reached 14.5 thousand. On international market manufacturers, in pursuit of increasing their volumes, did not always selectively approach components, so the quality of the final product often left much to be desired, and as a result, many of these manufacturers quickly went bankrupt. For the creators of Volvo, the issue of quality was fundamental. Therefore, their main task was to make right choice among suppliers. In addition, tests were carried out after assembly. To this day, Volvo follows this principle. Let's find out the history of this brand in more detail...
1927 Volvo OV4 "The Jakob"
Creators of Volvo
Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larson are the creators of Volvo. Assar Gabrielsson - son of Gabriel Gabrielsson, office manager, and Anna Larson - was born on August 13, 1891 in Kosberg, Skaraborg county. He graduated from the Higher Latin School Norra in Stockholm in 1909. He received a bachelor's degree in economics and business from the School of Economics in Stockholm in 1911. After working as an official and stenographer in the lower house of the Swedish Parliament, Gabrielsson got a job as a sales manager at SKF in 1916. He founded Volvo and served as president until 1956.
Gustaf Larson - the son of Lars Larson, a farmer, and Hilda Magnesson - was born on July 8, 1887 in Vintros, County of Erebro. In 1911 he graduated from the technical primary school in Erebro; received an engineering degree from the Royal Institute of Technology in 1917. In England from 1913 to 1916 he worked as a design engineer for White and Popper Ltd. After graduating from the Royal Institute of Technology, Gustaf Larson worked for SKF as manager and chief engineer of the firm's transmission department in Gothenburg and Katrinholm from 1917 to 1920. He worked as a plant manager and later as technical director and executive vice president of Nya AB Gaico with 1920 to 1926 Collaborated with Assar Gabrielsson to creation of Volvo. From 1926 to 1952 - technical director and executive vice president Volvo.
The history of Volvo began with crayfish
As the book "Volvo Cars" tells, the history of Volvo begins in June 1924, when Assar Gabrielson, the future managing director of the brand, accidentally met in a cafe with a former college classmate Gustav Larson, who would later become Volvo's technical director. That day in a cafe they talked for a short time, and Gabrielson proposed the idea of creating an enterprise for the production of cars. Gustav Larson agreed that they should have discussed this topic in more detail, but he considered the proposal itself hardly serious and did not attach much importance to it. Maybe this idea would not have developed if they had not met for the second time in August of that year.
This is how Gustav Larson describes this meeting, recalling Assar Gabrielson (the article was published in Volvo magazine after Gabrielson's death in 1962): "I happened to pass by the Sture-hof restaurant. I saw an advertisement for fresh crayfish, and decided to go inside, where I saw Gabriel sitting alone in front of a whole mountain of red crayfish. I joined him, and we set about the crayfish with great appetite." So they sat at the same table. Gabrielson had an excellent opportunity to re-discuss his idea. The verbal agreement that they reached in August 1924 took the form of a formalized document on December 16, 1925.
This document proclaimed the following: "I, Gabrielson, intending to create a car manufacturing company in Sweden, make an offer to G. Larson to cooperate with me as an engineer." "I, Larson, accept this offer." Gustav Larson had to develop a new car. The remuneration for this work would be from 5,000 to 20,000 SEK, provided that production reached an industrial level - at least 100 cars a year by January 1, 1928. If the target level of production was not reached, Larson agreed not to claim any what payment. Drawings of the chassis of the new car were ready already six months before the signing of this agreement.
On April 14, 1927, the first stock car Volvo was the birth year of the automotive industry in Sweden. On that day, the gates of the factory on the island of Hisingen, Gothenburg, opened wide. The first Volvo car drove out of the gate. It was an open-top chaise with a four-cylinder engine. Sales manager Hilmer Johansson was driving.
When designing it, the designer Mass-Olle (Mass-Olle) was guided by American methods. The car was equipped with a 1.9-liter 4-cylinder engine with side valves. Under the designation "OV-4" it was offered with open body, the "PV-4" variant was a sedan.
The short drive to where the press was waiting for the car was uneventful. But the night before was not an easy one for those in charge of assembling the car. The last parts needed for assembly had arrived by train from Stockholm the previous evening. The haste that accompanied the assembly of the car made itself felt: when engineer Eric Carlberg decided to inspect and check the car in the morning, it turned out that he could only move backwards. The main component in the gearbox rear axle was set incorrectly. Such a beginning was taken as a good omen: from now on, the movement should have been only in the forward direction.
The car was called simply and uncomplicated - OV4 and had an affectionate nickname Jacob (Jacob). The letters OV denoted that the model was an open-top car, and the number 4 denoted the number of engine cylinders. Volvo Jacob was American designed, had a powerful chassis and independent suspension with long leaf springs front and rear. The engine developed a power of 28 hp. at 2000 rpm. Max speed the car was quite decent for that time - 90 km / h.
At first, Swedish buyers were not eager to snap up new cars.
The four-hole car body was painted in dark blue color, and black mudguards stood out against this background. Jacob's open 5-seater body had four doors and was constructed from sheet steel on an ash and copper beech frame. The upholstery was leather, the front panel was wood. Unlike the seats in many other cars, the seats first Volvo were sprung. The structure of the wheel of this car was a removable rim, which was mounted on varnished wooden spokes. Among the minor luxuries in the cabin could be seen small vase for flowers, an ashtray and (in the sedan modification) curtains on all windows.
New car with a phaeton body it cost 4800 crowns, and a little later the PV4 sedan was introduced, and another 1000 crowns were added to its price. According to plans, the plant should produce 500 cars of each model, however, contrary to expectations, Swedish buyers did not seek to buy up new cars. In the first year, only 297 cars were sold. One of the reasons for such a small number was the requirement for very high level the quality of the supplied components and its strict control by the manufacturer.
The top speed of the PV4 was quite decent - 90 km/h
A year later, presented new model is a Volvo Special, an extended version of the PV4 sedan. The Volvo Special featured a longer hood, thin A-pillars and a rectangular rear window. This car was already equipped with bumpers. At this time, the bumpers have not yet become standard equipment car.
It wasn't until two years later that the company was able to make its first modest profits. In 1929 Volvo sold 1383 cars. However, in the late 1920s the car made a real breakthrough, both in the European market and in America.
During several years at SKF, Assar Gabrielsson noted that Swedish ball bearings were inexpensive compared to international standard prices, and the idea of creating a production of Swedish cars that could compete with American cars. Assar Gabrielsson worked with Gustaf Larson for several years at SKF and the two men, having also worked together for several years in the British automotive industry, learned to recognize and respect each other's experience and know-how.
Gustaf Larson also had plans to create his own, Swedish automotive industry. Their similar views and tasks led to cooperation after the first few random encounters in 1924. As a result, they decided to found a Swedish car company. While Gustaf Larson was hiring young mechanics to assemble cars, Assar Gabrielsson was exploring the economics of their vision. In the summer of 1925, Assar Gabrielsson was forced to use his own savings to fund a trial run of 10 passenger cars.
The cars were assembled at the Galco's Stockholm plant with the involvement of the interests of SKF, whose equity stake in Volvo was 200,000 SEK. SKF also made Volvo a controlled, but capable of growing, car company.
All work was moved to Gothenburg and neighboring Hisingen, and SKF equipment was eventually moved to Volvo's production site. Assar Gabrielsson singled out 4 basic criteria that contribute to the successful development of the Swedish automobile company: Sweden was a developed industrial country; low level wages in Sweden; Swedish steel had a strong reputation all over the world; there was a clear need for passenger cars on Swedish roads.
Gabrielsson and Larson's decision to start producing passenger cars in Sweden was clearly articulated and based on several business concepts:
- Manufacture of Volvo cars. Volvo will be responsible for both machine design and assembly, while materials and components will be sourced from other companies;
- Strategically secure key subcontractors. Volvo must find reliable support and, if necessary, partners in the rail sector;
- Focus on exports. Export sales began a year after the start of assembly line production;
- Attention to quality.
Neither effort nor expense can be spared in the process of building a car. It's cheaper to get things going in the right direction at the beginning of the journey than it is to make mistakes and fix them at the end. This is one of the main postulates of Assar Gabrielsson. If Assar Gabrielsson was shrewd in business, then the brilliant financier and merchant Gustaf Larson was a mechanical genius. Together, Gabrielsson and Larson controlled Volvo's two main business areas, economics and engineering. The efforts of two people were based on determination and discipline - two qualities that were often the key to the success of business in industry during the first half of the 20th century. Such was their general approach who laid the foundation for Volvo's first and most important value - quality.
Volvo name
SKF company acted as a serious guarantor of the production of the first thousand cars: 500 - from convertible and 500 - with hard. Since one of the main activities of SKF was the production of bearings, the name Volvo was proposed for cars, which means “I roll” in Latin. Thus, 1927 was the birth year of Volvo.
To characterize your child, a symbol was needed. They chose steel and Swedish heavy industry, since cars started being made from Swedish steel. The "Symbol of Iron" or "Symbol of Mars" as it was called after the Roman god of war was placed in the center of the grille on the first Volvo passenger car and later on all Volvo trucks. The "Sign of Mars" was tightly attached to the radiator by the simplest method: a steel rim was attached diagonally across the radiator grille. As a result, the diagonal strip has become reliable and well famous symbol Volvo and its products, in fact one of the strongest trademarks in the automotive industry.
When the Volvo P1800 sports car turned 50 years old, the Swedish automaker decided to “modernize” the car. True, only on paper - run in mass production upgraded version a model drawn by Volvo's chief designer Christopher Benjamin has yet to be assembled.
At the same time, some experts note that such a car could well find its buyer. The key to commercial success would be the glory of the original P1800 sports car, which was considered the most attractive Volvo in the history of its existence. swedish brand. The appearance of the Volvo P1800 coupe in 1957 was created by designer Pelle Pettersson, who at that time worked in the Italian studio Pietro Frua. At first, the Swedes were going to start production of this model at the German company Karmann, owned by Volkswagen Group However, the disagreements that arose during the negotiation process led to the need to look for another partner. As a result, serial production of the car was started only in 1961, while cars were assembled in the UK, at the Jensen factory.
The first Volvo P1800s were equipped with gasoline engine with a capacity of 100 horsepower, but in 1966 he was replaced by a 115-horsepower unit. In addition to the coupe, the car could be ordered in cabriolet and station wagon bodies. The total circulation of P1800 for 13 years amounted to 37.5 thousand copies.
In parallel, Volvo begins to produce its first trucks, which were based on the same Jacob.
So, since the 30s of the twentieth century, Volvo has been introducing new introductions to mechanical engineering. A new six-cylinder engine was invented, tested and put into production, brake pads installed on all 4 wheels, interior soundproofing, a silencer is installed, a radiator grille appears - and after all these innovations, the car's power does not drop in any way! No wonder the company weathers the global economic crisis. Before the Second World War, Volvo pleases its customers with an aerodynamic body.
The 40s passed under the sign of the World War. But Volvo does not lose ground, but on the contrary, it stays afloat, invents new innovations. After surviving the war and having completed the production of car modifications for military needs, Volvo returns to the production of civilian cars. Model PV444, after all the modifications, conquers the market. The company is increasing production and, consequently, the export of cars.
In the 50s, Volvo put a lot of emphasis on safety. Improved brakes, seat belts. A special committee is set up to study various accidents.
In the 60s - 70s. the company enters into agreements with DAF and Renault, which increases the performance and power of cars. New modifications and models are released - Amazone, models 240 and 345. In the 80s, car production per year reaches 400,000! We should not forget that the company continues to care about safety, as evidenced by the numerous awards for modifying the seat belt - the world's first three-point belt that improves safety by 50%.
The 90s again bring success to the company. Relations have been established with the French company Renault in the field of production of cars, trucks and buses; a lucrative agreement was signed with Mitsubishi and the Dutch government to create a new brand. But main fact this decade is the release of the 960, which was equipped with automatic transmission gears. The new car was modified with the help of Japanese colleagues from Mitsubishi - a nice design appeared.
On this moment Brand Volvo is a security brand. They go through the streets like this popular models like S40, S60, S80, V70, XC70, XC90. Cars are chosen for comfort, safety and reliability. Every year, the brand pleases with novelties and innovations, both in the field of safety and in the field of reliability of car robots. And besides this, Volvo produces reliable engines for boats and ships.
And now consider history of Volvo in chronological order:
1924 - the idea of creating the first machine-building plant in Sweden.
1927 - after three years of preparation, the first car of the Volvo brand - OV4 "Jakob" is released into the world, 300 cars were assembled.
1937 - release of new similar models - PV51 and PV52, 1800 cars were produced.
1940s - modernization of cars for military needs, then a strike of workers, a lack of materials. Design and assembly of PV444, an average of 3000 cars are produced per year.
1953 - release of a new family-type car - Volvo Duett.
1954 - an unprecedented step of the company - a guarantee is issued for a car for as much as 5 years! The first Volvo sports car is produced, which never became fashionable.
1956 - Amazon brand launched.
1958 - Volvo exports reach 100,000.
1959 - an event occurred that later made Volvo considered the most safe car- was invented three-point harness security.
1960-1966 - new cars Volvo 1800 and Volvo P 144 are presented, which were rightfully considered the safest cars in the world.
1967 - the child seat was modernized, now it can be placed against the movement.
1974 - the Volvo 240 model was released, which included all types of safety that existed at that time.
1976-1982 - the company produces Volvo 343 and Volvo 760, which conquer the market, Volvo is famous all over the world.
1985 - the first car with front-wheel drive appears - Sport Car Volvo 480ES.
1990-1991 - Developed and installed Volvo car 850 side impact protection. The production of the Volvo 960 model was launched, which had a 6-cylinder engine and a power of 240 hp.
1995 - exit famous cars Volvo S40 and V40.
1996 - Now Volvo pleases its customers with the beautiful Volvo C70.
1998 - release of Volvo S80 not only comfortable car, but also one of the safest cars in the world, thanks to whiplash protection.
1999 - Volvo buys out Ford, which still owns it to this day.
2000 - such "giants" of the car market as the Volvo V70 and Volvo S60 are released. Volvo is recognized as the most safe car in the world.
2002 - A year of great changes in Volvo products. The first SUV XC90 was announced, the restyling of the s40, s80 models was carried out. Volvo has already taken a firm step into the super-powered car market with the S60R and V70R. The company's design studio has been developing its own SUV for some time now. All presenters European manufacturers, even Posrsche, have prepared or started producing their parquet "jeeps". And finally, in August 2002, mass production of the XC90 model was launched.
2003 - At the Geneva Motor Show, Volvo showcased its next concept car from the "Volvo Designers' Vision for the Cars of the Future" series. Concept car VCC (Versability Concept Car - "Adaptive Concept Car"). The model range of the Swedish company Volvo has replenished with one more four-wheel drive vehicle- Following the Volvo S60 and V70, the company's flagship, the Volvo S80 sedan, also received all-wheel drive. This car uses a system similar to that of the Volvo S60.
2004 - The appearance of the long-awaited new products of the Swedish company: cars Volvo S40 and Volvo V50. New Volvo The S40 is 50 mm shorter than its predecessor, but despite this, Volvo offers the features and qualities of larger Volvo models.
One of the main world leaders in the production of heavy trucks company Volvo Trucks Corporation began its activity in the late 1920s as an automotive subsidiary of the famous bearing company SKF. Passenger cars were the first to be launched in the series since April 1927, and in February 1928 the first 1.5-ton Volvo truck rolled off the assembly line of the plant. Trucks of this brand immediately became very famous. high quality assembly and excellent reliability, which favorably distinguished them from competitors' models. It is not surprising that with such an attitude, the Volvo brand has taken its place in the sun.
To a large extent, this was facilitated by the constant attention of the company, starting from the 60s, to such areas as safety and comfort for the driver. In addition to transport and economic efficiency, the design of modern trucks is also determined by safety, ergonomics, comfort and environmental friendliness. After the sale in 2000 of the passenger car division Volvo concern and then followed by an unsuccessful attempt to take over the competing company Scania AB, a merger with the French company RVI took place.
The first version "NH12" is equipped with a 12-liter "D12C" engine with a capacity of 340-420 hp, gearboxes with a number of gears of 9, 12 or 14, an increased volume "Gloubtrotter" cab. The maximum speed is 112 km/h. In the autumn of 2000, a presentation of a new bonnet construction series “VHD” (6 × 4 / 10 × 4) with engines of 345-465 hp took place. and a fundamentally new design, developed jointly by various Volvo divisions. In the face of intensified competition, the management of Volvo decided to expand the scope of activities and gain a foothold in the sector of middle-class cars, signing a cooperation agreement in 1997 with Japanese company(Mitsubishi).
In 1998, Volvo factories, which employ 23 thousand people, produced 85 thousand trucks gross weight more than 6 tons and buses, ranking sixth in the world. In the summer of next year, the company strengthened its already stable position by purchasing more than 70% of the shares of the Swedish company (Scania). This created the prerequisites for the formation of the world's third concern "Volvo-Scania", but in the spring of 2000 the EU Commission vetoed this agreement. A few more months passed and the Volvo group bought out 100% of the shares of the truck department (Renault), creating another large transnational concern for the production of trucks.
©. Photos taken from publicly available sources.
