The Volvo experience was brought to Windhoek last week Friday with a special demonstration and Information Day staged at the Tony Rust race track on the edge of town. Presented by Volvo Cars Windhoek, the Information Day included a presentation on the history of Volvo by Dolf Smuts, as well as demonstrations of the brand’s legendary safety technologies.

Following an excellent breakfast with good coffee, Dolf spoke about the unique Scandinavian manufacturer, that builds its vehicles around the protection of the occupants. Founded in 1927 with the introduction of a convertible model in a snow-prone environment, Volvo has built on its strengths by developing its reputation as a safe brand and is now striving to be a little more sexy as well, he explained. Design characteristics to remain indefinitely with all Volvo vehicles include the upright front grill, the broad shoulders and the V-shaped bonnet.

Though still built in Sweden, Volvo is now owned by Chinese multi-national, Geely Holding Group, which also owns Geely Motors, Smuts pointed out. “The cheque-book is in China,” he said. The V40 is expected to arrive locally before the end of the year. The new five-door hatch will replace all the smaller models, which are coming to the end of their production terms. The V40 will be the foundation for future Volvo passenger vehicles.  Finally it was time for fun with the in-vehicle demonstrations.

With experienced demonstrators behind the steering wheel, several of Volvo’s safety revolutions were demonstrated, keeping alive the tradition started when they introduced the standard three-point safety belt in 1959. City Safety is one impressive technology that compensates for lapses in driver concentration, by stopping automatically when the Volvo detects an obstruction. Other impressive safety technologies displayed include the ABS and Volvo’s anti-roll technology, which alternately places selective and specific brake-pressure on specific wheels to prevent top heavy SUV-type Volvo’s from flipping over. Three lasers are used to monitor and calibrate obstacles ahead of the vehicle when it is travelling at less than 15 km/ph. If the driver does not respond by turning the wheel or using the foot pedals in time, the technology takes over to prevent a fender bender or worse.