| "Every year is a road safety year at Volvo." - that is | | | | We also work with contact allergies and are phasing |
| the tagline of the automaker that conveys | | | | out toxic substances such as certain phthalates. |
| inexhaustible commitment to safety. Volvo | | | | Volvo's IAQS air quality system has also been |
| spearheaded significant milestones in connection with | | | | developed to clean the air and reduce the risk of |
| auto safety features. Its record says it all. Since 1927, | | | | allergic reactions inside the car," added Kärrberg. |
| the automaker has introduced a great number of | | | | Volvo safety milestones include the safety cage, |
| significant innovations. | | | | laminated windscreen, three-point safety belts in the |
| As what Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larson, | | | | front, padded dashboard, energy-absorbent bumpers, |
| founders of Volvo, have put it, "Cars are driven by | | | | wide-angle door mirrors, the ABS (Anti-lock Braking |
| people - the guiding principle behind everything we | | | | System), high-level brake light, airbags, inflatable |
| make at Volvo, therefore, is and must remain - safety." | | | | curtains, SIPS (Side-Impact Protection System), ROPS |
| Earlier, a study was conducted by the Ecology Center. | | | | (Rollover Protection System), WHIPS (Whiplash |
| The study entitled Toxic at Any Speed: Chemicals in | | | | Protection System), RSC (Roll Stability Control), and |
| Cars & the Need for Safe Alternatives delved into | | | | the IDIS (Intelligent Driver Information System). Volvo is |
| measuring toxic chemicals in building car interiors. The | | | | still working on improving its safety milestones to |
| study includes flame retardant PBDE and phthalates, | | | | introduce better features in the future. |
| used to soften plastics and textiles at high | | | | Aside from safety, Volvo is also concentrating on the |
| temperatures. These substances are dangerous to the | | | | production of green cars. Lately, it has expanded its |
| respiratory system. They could even result to genetic | | | | range to include FlexiFuel cars. These cars are |
| mutations. | | | | powered by renewable bioethanol fuel. "Interest in |
| In said study, the Ecology Center compared 11 different | | | | ethanol as a vehicle fuel is growing in Europe," said |
| makes of car built between 2000 and 2005. And it has | | | | Gerry Keaney, Senior Vice President Market, Sales |
| found out that the interiors of Volvo cars have the | | | | and Customer Service at Volvo Cars. "We are |
| lowest emissions of phthalates. The incidence of flame | | | | therefore expanding our range with additional models |
| retardant PBDE is also lower that other makes. This is | | | | on a total of 9 markets. First to get Volvo's FlexiFuel |
| the very reason why Volvo is deemed the world | | | | cars outside Sweden will be Britain, Ireland, France, |
| leader in interior air quality. | | | | Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and |
| "In an age when many people suffer from asthma and | | | | Norway." He added, "It's very encouraging that the |
| allergies, it is only natural for Volvo Cars to offer its | | | | market is expanding and that political initiatives are |
| customers a good environment even inside the car," | | | | being taken." |
| said Anders Kärrberg, the Environmental Director | | | | In view of this, the automaker is upgrading its auto |
| at Volvo Cars. In order to maintain excellent interior air | | | | parts and accessories including Volvo radiator fan to |
| quality, the automaker uses state-of-the-art and safe | | | | complement the big change. The radiator fan is |
| auto materials. "The textiles and leather used in our | | | | geometrically designed to promote optimal circulation |
| cars meet stringent Oeko-Tex standard 100, which | | | | and accurate balancing. They offer faster cooling and |
| ensures that fabrics and hides have been thoroughly | | | | improved fuel efficiency to produce more horsepower. |
| tested to check for certain allergy-inducing substances. | | | | |