Every Little Bit Adds Up – 2011 S60 Regenerative Charging
I was going though technical specs and found a bit of technology that’s rather slick. Regenerative Charging (RC) is used in our S60s electrical system to reduce carbon output and increase fuel economy.
RC is an intelligent control of the alternator charging function. By changing the alternator charge level parameters, when the driver uses the brake [...]
I Just Love Our Parking Lot – One Strange C30
Stumbling into work the other day, this C30 begged to be photographed. Tracking it down, Andrew Gallagher, one of our product guys, asked what I thought of the interior.
Some years back, probably around 1982 when we all had to wear suits, Bob Deutsch put together an “Ugly Tie Day” event for employees. I won more [...]
Just Saw a Black 2011 S60
As we get close to launch date, we’re getting more S60’s at NJ office. Out back, in our Service Methods Shop, there are a couple of black ones. Black doesn’t photograph well – at least not with my skill set – so better to show nice pretty ones and leave black to your imagination. But [...]
Iron Man Irv Turns 70, Sets 3 Million Mile Goal
Happy birthday to our most famous and enduring brand ambassador, Irv Gordon of East Patchogue, Long Island.
Irv turns 70 today, an honorable achievement for anyone. But, with Irv, it’s always about big numbers. He’s driven more than 2.8 million miles in his 1966 Volvo P1800. And, today, on the big 7-0, he’s affirming his goal [...]
Our Customer Care Department
Terri (blog reader/commenter) asked, on our March 11 posting, how we handle customer relationships. Our most important customer contact point is Customer Care. I asked Bill Casey, Volvo’s Customer Care manager, to give us an insider’s POV.
Bill: After holding several positions at other companies, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in Customer Service. [...]
Volvo’s safe driving policy
It’s no surprise that we’ve had safe driving policies for our employees in place for some time. In fact, about 20 years ago, about every six months, our head of Government Regulations and Compliance would stand out front and see who was wearing their seat belt. Those caught not using one were called into HR and [...]
We make tough wagons
In 1985, Wayne Baldwin (an SCCA Pro-Rally driver of a 142 sedan) asked me (mostly a motion sick navigator), if I’d like to “tag along” with him, a journalist, and a brand new 745 Turbo wagon for something called a “Cannonball Run.” How dumb of me if I refuse – how dumb of me to [...]
A Movie Car – C70
Some years back we provided a couple of C70 coupes for the filming ‘The Saint’ with Val Kilmer. There were some good scenes, but it seems much ended up on the cutting room floor. The movie was OK; I’d give it two Herrings out of five. They did manage to total one of our hand-built, [...]
Driver Distraction Summit in Washington, D.C.
If you’re interested, and we are, here is a link and agenda for this event: http://www.rita.dot.gov/distracted_driving_summit/
Live and hopefully recorded.
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U.S. Department of Transportation
Distracted Driving Summit
Washington, DC
September 30 – October 1, 2009
AGENDA
Wednesday, September 30
8:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast – Renaissance Ballroom West Foyer
8:00 a.m. Registration (Open All Day) – Renaissance Ballroom West Foyer
9:15 a.m. DOT Welcome and Summit [...]
Some Monday Fun
City Safety – Predicted for Year 2032
Good friend and past boss Bob Austin sent this over. While on vacation in Nova Scotia, which is an absolutely beautiful place to visit (and a short ferry ride away), Bob found a Popular Science magazine from 1952. Great article that predicted car to car crash avoidance technology would [...]
