When is a Volvo a Bobo?
Bobos are for four-year-olds! I guess at that age you are just unable to pronounce ‘V.’ My kids did the same thing. Hearing them say Bobo was always funny, but I believe that even at a young age a car can be something special to little folks. The following came in from Alex in our Social Media group: “Essentially this girl [...]
Where a photo can lead you
Many years ago, there was a TV show called “Connections” with James Burke. He could take something like a beetle scientist and link him to Sherlock Holmes with amazing clarity. Search YouTube for “James Burke.” So the other day, Mark, at Hemmings Motor News, sent us this 855 R photo just for our enjoyment, and I [...]
Early holiday present to employees for a job well done
As mentioned in some prior blog posts, all too often employees might think this is just another job, a 9-5 gig (yeah right, most work much more than that, meaning they take pride in what they do and when having fun, time flies). But when we get customer letters about how they believe our car [...]
Where do design ideas come from?
When we launched our first gen S40/V50 we invited media to Snoqualmie, Washington. The location was perfect for what we wanted to show. Our launch date coincided with mid-summer – big party time in Sweden – so Soren hired local Swedish dancers to help us put on a Mid-Sommer party, which also included lots of [...]
Your Concept Car (YCC)
When we first announced Concept You, my mind clicked to Your Concept Car (YCC). Back in 2004, at the Geneva Auto Show we presented a car designed by women, for women. I know, Detroit has done “women’s cars” but they missed the point. Sure focus groups help understand women’s needs but to turn five really talented female VCC [...]
Interview – Volvo’s Concept and Monitoring Center
An auto company’s concept studio/design center/think tanks, which give a glimpse into transportation future thinking, are rarely opened for media. It’s where ideas are born, like two vehicles in one lane (Tandem project: http://www.motortrend.com/future/concept_cars/112_0408_volvo_tandem/viewall.html ) our ‘sitting man’ heat/air conditioning air distribution system: and, of course, our ECC which would point the way to our [...]
A ’67 Volvo 122 Wagon vs 2011 Ferrari
Some years ago we did a couple of advertisements comparing our 740 wagon to a Lamborghini. To make the comparison even, well not really even but you get the idea, we hooked up a trailer to the Lambo. At one of our U.S. auto shows, I think Detroit, I was checking out one of their [...]
Report from the Breaking Dawn Premiere in Hollywood
Brandy Hogan, winner of Volvo’s “What Would You Wear?” Facebook contest shares her first-hand experience attending the world premiere of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 in L.A. on Nov. 14. For an extended recap and additional photos of Brandy’s experience, check out Brandy’s blog: addicted2twilight11.blogspot.com and Volvo’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VolvocarsUS. — Around noon [...]
News from the L.A. Auto Show
Showing off concept cars is all about getting closer and closer to something very real. It’s interesting how we conduct design studies and show them off just to get our hearts beating above 125 BPM. About this new concept, I say, “can I please see the production one. Please Please Please.” I guess we’ll just [...]
