Volvo to focus on smaller, more fuel efficient cars

Volvo sees the light: Smaller, more fuel efficient cars like this C30 Efficiency are the future...

Volvo is currently witnessing a worldwide drop in the sales of its large and not very fuel efficient cars. The Swedish company is, hence, starting work on cars that’ll be smaller and more fuel efficient.

Apart from small cars will smaller engines, Volvo is also looking at introducing more diesel engines in its car lineup. The company expects to do well with its new range of cars in emerging markets like Russia, China and India.

Volvo showed the C30 Efficiency concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year. Powered by a 1.6-litre, 105bhp turbodiesel, the Volvo C30 Efficiency will do as much as 22km/l. In the near to mid-term future, we can probably expect a production version of the C30 Efficiency, and other similar cars from Volvo.

Volvo starts work on advanced drivelines and hybrid tech for commercial vehicles

In addition to cars and SUVs, commercial vehicles must also start going 'green,' and Volvo will now start working towards that objective...

The Volvo Group will now increase the pace of research and development work in the area of alternative drivelines. Working with the US and Swedish governments, the company intends to focus on development of hybrid technology and drivelines for alternative fuels.

Volvo’s work is aimed at reducing heavy vehicles’ use of fossil fuels through research and development projects in the areas of energy efficiency, drivelines for alternative fuels and hybrid solutions. ‘The climate issue and increasing fuel prices make energy use and energy efficiency some of the most important societal issues of our time. The transportation industry has a special responsibility and this research and development co-operation with the US government is crucial in our efforts to develop the drivetrains and technology required by both our customers and society as a whole,’ says Leif Johansson, CEO of the Volvo Group.

The US government and the Swedish Energy Agency intend to each invest a total of US$9 million during the three years during the co-operation period. The Volvo Group, for its part, has undertaken to invest an amount corresponding to US$18 million, which means that the total investment in research and development within the framework of the co-operation agreement amounts to US$36 million.

Volvo launches truck-inspired clothes collection

A truck-inspired clothes collection? Well, Volvo thinks that's the way to go!

To coincide with the launch of its new range of trucks, Volvo has announced the availability of an in-house designed merchandise collection. The range comprises more than one hundred items. From exclusive leather jackets to UV-safe baby clothing, bags and watches to other practical and lifestyle products. All the items will be available from Volvo truck dealers in Europe, and also via the Volvo Truck Nation website here

‘We wanted to do something that was entirely unique in the industry,’ says Magnus Koeck, brand manager at Volvo Trucks. ‘Instead of putting our logo on standard products, we and our truck designers have worked closely together with well-established fashion designers. We’ve worked for a year to create our very own product range from the ground up.’

Form, pattern, colour and material have all been taken more or less directly from Volvo trucks and applied to clothes, bags, footwear, watches, toys and a range of other products. For example, the pockets are shaped like Volvo truck headlamps, bag handles are made from the very same leather that is used to trim the steering wheel, and the watch casing looks exactly like the truck’s instruments.

‘We’ve been very thorough with every single detail,’ says Magnus Koeck. ‘The feel, the function, the quality – it all breathes Volvo and it’s all patent-protected.’ The Volvo clothes range consists of two collections: The FH16 Collection and The Volvo Trucks Collection. The former is linked to Volvo’s most powerful truck model, the Volvo FH16.

‘Just like the truck itself, the clothing has to radiate power and pride,’ says Åsa Rönström, project manager at Volvo Trucks and the person behind the development of the new collections. ‘This collection has a masculine and powerful attitude and is inspired by motorcycle sport, which we know many of our customers like.’

The other collection, The Volvo Trucks Collection, is broader and more family-oriented. Here the emphasis is on modern, stylish and functional garments for both recreation and work, according to Åsa Rönström. Both collections feature clothes and accessories for women as well as men. There are also lots of articles for children, among them T-shirts with UV protection, bibs, comforters, games and toy vehicles.

Volvo’s new driver support systems aimed at reducing truck mishaps

By using an array of new technologies, and focusing on driver training, Volvo is working hard on improving road safety for trucks

Human error is involved in roughly 90 percent of all traffic accidents with, in the case of truck drivers, fatigue and distraction being the most common causes. With this in mind, Volvo Trucks has been developing several advanced support systems to increase drivers’ control of the situation.

‘We’ve always aimed for the highest possible collision safety and are very advanced on this front,’ says Lars-Göran Löwenadler, Volvo Trucks’ Safety Director. ‘Now we’re focusing on accident prevention. Volvo’s strategy here is to make things easier for drivers, not to take over the responsibility for their driving.’

Driver Alert System
Independent studies show that 10-20 percent of all single-vehicle accidents are caused by driver fatigue. In response, Volvo believes they are the first truck manufacturer in Europe to develop a system that uses a camera to monitor the vehicle's course in relation to the road markings. Using ‘Driver Alert Support,’ if a driving pattern is perceived as irregular, the driver is alerted by an audible signal and a text message in the driver information display. If the irregular pattern continues, the driver is cautioned to stop and take a break.

Improving visibility
Another common cause of truck accidents is reduced visibility where blind spots, bends, darkness and poor visibility reduce the driver's control. ‘That’s why an extra eye is needed in certain situations, for instance during lane changes,’ explains Stefan Svensson, Product Manager for Electrical Systems at Volvo Trucks.

Volvo’s new ‘Lane Changing Support’ provides this extra ‘eye’ with a radar sensor that helps the driver detect other vehicles in the blind spot on the passenger side. The driver is alerted by a light signal in the A-pillar and an intensified indicator noise.

‘Driving round bends in the dark is also a risky manoeuvre, because road edges are usually poorly lit,’ explains Stefan Svensson. ‘To improve safety in these situations, we're launching Cornering lights that illuminate the edge of the road. They’re automatically activated with the indicators on either side of the vehicle at speeds below 30kph.’

To improve driving safety in adverse weather, Volvo will now become the first truck manufacturer in Europe to offer a rain sensor option for all FH and FM trucks. The sensor gauges the rain's intensity and automatically adjusts the speed of the windscreen wipers to suit.

ESP for trucks
Volvo’s Electronic Stability Program (ESP) system has been found to play a decisive role in many driving situations where the driver would otherwise have risked losing control of the vehicle. Until now, the system has only been available for tractors. Now Volvo is the first truck manufacturer in the world to launch ESP for 6x2 trucks with trailers.

By braking the trailer’s wheels in certain situations, ESP helps stabilise the whole truck and trailer combination and prevent overturning or jack-knife accidents. ESP will also be available for tractors with multiple trailers, which means it will also be compatible with 25.25m combinations in the European Modular System.

The new ESP system is especially advantageous for hazardous goods transports, a segment with high safety regulations.

Volvo Driver Training
In 2009, the EU will introduce new CPC training regulations requiring truck drivers to be trained in areas including safety. Volvo already offers safety training that meets these requirements.

‘Each year, over 40,000 people are killed in traffic accidents in Europe. This makes safety training vital. Our training makes drivers’ work better, safer and less stressful, thereby reducing the risk of accidents,’ says Lars-Göran Löwenadler.

Volvo has developed an extensive training programme for truck drivers based on ‘real-life’ work situations and traffic conditions. This means Volvo will be well-prepared when the new EU directive 2009/59 – the Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) - takes effect from next year.

As of September 2009 the EU directive requires all hauliers to offer their drivers, of vehicles over 3.5 tonnes GVW, an EU-certified 35-hour training programme which must be completed over a 5-year period.

‘We welcome this initiative,’ says Lennart Pilskog, Head of Public Affairs at Volvo Trucks. ‘We can base the course on our existing driver training programme, which includes product knowledge, safety and efficiency and already meets most of the forthcoming EU requirements.’

‘For some time, we’ve been offering our customers courses in fuel-efficient driving, and we’re now launching a safety course. Other training modules will gradually be introduced,’ says Mikael Lidhage, Head of Driver Training at Volvo Trucks.

Volvo has been conducting extensive safety research since 1969 and has built up a unique database of accident causes and how to avoid them. The first new safety course teaches drivers about the dangers and risks related to truck-based transport. Drivers also learn how to prevent accidents and operate their vehicle safely in various work situations.

The second course, Efficient Driving, provides knowledge about factors that affect fuel economy and how to handle these factors in practice. This both saves fuel consumption and reduces environmental impact. It also teaches drivers about their vehicle and how to use it optimally, and about how driving is affected by external factors.

Eicher-Volvo JV finalized, Volvo to invest Rs 1,082 crore

Volvo wants a bigger chunk of the fast-growing Indian CV market

Eicher Motors Limited (EML) and Volvo have finalized their joint venture, and Volvo will be investing Rs 1,082.1 crore in this deal. Eicher Motors will hold 54.4 percent stake, while Volvo will hold 45.6 percent in the JV.

‘The commercial vehicles business, along with related components and design services of EML will be transferred to the joint venture company, which will be an unlisted subsidiary of EML, on a slump basis, at a value of Rs 202.2 crore,’ said Siddhartha Lal, MD, EML. He added that as a part of the JV agreement, Volvo will transfer its Indian truck distribution and service network business to the new venture. Lal also said that Eicher Motors will look at exporting Eicher trucks through the Volvo network.

‘India is the fourth largest market for heavy trucks in the world, and with the country investing heavily on improving infrastructure, there is a big opportunity for us,’ said Par Ostberg, Volvo Group executive management member, and Volvo Trucks Asia chairman. He added that all Volvo Group truck projects in India would be routed through the JV with EML, and that Volvo may look at entering the commercial vehicles financing business, in which it is has been very successful worldwide.

In the meanwhile, Eicher Goodearth Investments Ltd., the holding company of Eicher Motors, is considering buying back 13.12 percent of the public holding in Eicher Motors for Rs 691.68 per share.

Volvo stake in Eicher approved by the FIPB, FM

Volvo wants 8.1% of Eicher

The finance minister, Mr Chidambaram and the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) have approved Volvo’s proposal to acquire 8.1% of Eicher Motors Ltd. Volvo, the world’s second-largest manufacturer of trucks, had announced last year that it wanted to buy a stake in Eicher Motors, India’s third-biggest truck maker.

India is the world’s fifth-largest market in the world for trucks, and Volvo, by forming a JV with Eicher, wants to strengthen its presence in the country and increase its market share.

Since it involves more than Rupees six billion, the Swedish company’s proposal will now be referred to a cabinet panel on economic affairs.

Volvo’s City Safety system wins Fleet World award

The Volvo XC60 will come equipped with the company's City Safety technology. Can we also expect to see this car in India next year? We hope so!

Volvo’s new ‘City Safety’ system, which helps avoid or reduce the severity of low-speed collisions, won the Technology category at the 2008 Fleet World Honours Awards in London today. The City Safety technology will be introduced as a world-first standard feature in the new Volvo XC60, which should hopefully also be on sale in India next year.

At speeds of under 30km/h, City Safety uses laser sensor technology to detect vehicles up to 10 metres in front of the car’s front bumper, and reacts to vehicles in front that are either at a standstill or are moving slowly in the same direction as the car itself. If the gap between the cars continues to close and the driver remains inactive, the car applies the brakes automatically.

City Safety’s potential for reducing the risk of both personal injuries and car bodywork damage is significant, and in Europe at least, it may also help cut down on insurance costs. Volvo is currently involved in a dialogue with some insurance companies regarding lower insurance premiums for cars equipped with City Safety. Perhaps this kind of thing should be replicated in India as well – lower insurance premiums for cars that feature high-tech safety technologies?

Commenting on the award, Chairman of Judges George Emmerson said, ‘Volvo’s commitment to researching and developing groundbreaking technologies has led to a number of safety milestones. City Safety is among the cleverest so far, predicting when low-speed accidents will happen and preventing them from occurring. City Safety will offer fleets financial, operational and social benefits that deserve recognition.’

John Wallace, of Volvo, says, ‘With surveys indicating that 75% of all reported collisions take place at speeds of under 18 mph, and in 50% of these cases the driver has not braked at all before the collision, it’s easy to see the potential City Safety has in reducing incidents of this kind.’

Volvo to invest in Seeing Machines technology

New developments in technology allow in-car or in-CV computers to track a driver's facial and eye movements to determine whether he or she is getting tired, and warning beeps are emitted if the machine detects the driver is getting drowsy...

Studies show that lack of attention is the single largest cause of traffic accidents. As a consequence – and part of the Volvo Group’s comprehensive safety efforts – Volvo Technology Transfer is now investing in Seeing Machines, which is technology developed by an Australian company that detects and warns vehicle drivers in the event of tiredness

Experiences from the Volvo Group’s accident investigations and general traffic safety research, findings from which could also be very useful for India, show that accidents are a combination of the human factor, vehicle problems and/or the traffic environment, in which the human factor accounts for 90% of accidents.

This was confirmed by new research conducted at the Virginia Tech Transport Institute that demonstrates even more distinctly that inattentiveness, due to tiredness or distraction, is the single largest and most significant cause of accidents.

Seeing Machines is a company that arose from the research results from a number of research projects at the Australian National University (ANU) between 1997 and 2000. The company specializes in computerised technology that is able to track and follow head and eye movements and facial expressions. The technology is applicable for products within areas including vehicle safety, medical diagnosing, simulation, marketing and games.

Within the vehicle safety area, Seeing Machines’ offers include a small camera that automatically detects signs of driver tiredness and distraction. A specific calculation program processes the information from images and measures the position of the head and rotation, eye movements and eyelid behaviour. The degree of tiredness in the driver is measured by registering how the eyes open and close and, should the driver close his/her eyes, this is registered directly. Distraction and work load is measured using head and eye movements.

“We hope that this technology will reduce the number of accidents on our roads and become an important feature in safety efforts at vehicle manufacturers,” says Stig Fagerståhl at Volvo Technology Transfer and responsible for investing in Seeing Machines.

Volvo: Using technology to reduce drivers’ stress levels

The AIDE project is all about creating a smart user interface between the vehicle’s technology and the driver, ultimately leading to enhanced on-road safety

Traffic is becoming increasingly intensive and hectic. At the same time, we are seeing increasing numbers of electronic support systems in our vehicles, all of them competing for the driver’s attention. This applies not least to drivers of commercial vehicles. In order to improve traffic safety, we need better knowledge of how the driver handles safety systems and information systems while driving.

Volvo has co-ordinated a pan-European research project (AIDE) that focuses on these aspects and its conclusion is that many accidents can be avoided if the systems are co-ordinated and better tailored to suit the flow of traffic and the driver’s situation. While the study was conducted in Europe, its findings, and the solutions proposed, are likely to be just as relevant for India.

“We know that the human factor is a contributory cause in at least 90 percent of all traffic accidents. If we can provide technology that adapts support systems to suit the individual driver and the current traffic situation, many accidents would be able to be avoided,” says Lars-Göran Löwenadler, Safety Director at Volvo Trucks.

“It is positive that the number of safety and information systems in modern vehicles is increasing. Taken individually, they offer many benefits as regards traffic safety and productivity. However, bearing in mind that many drivers have mobile phones and perhaps also a GPS satellite navigator in the vehicle, today’s driver does risk being over-burdened by too much information. In order to improve traffic safety, we have developed solutions that allow all the systems to interact smoothly,” explains Volvo Technology’s AIDE co-ordinator, Gustav Markkula.

In concrete terms, AIDE is all about creating a user interface between the vehicle’s technology and the driver. The challenge is to integrate all the support systems into the driver’s environment so that they help the driver in the best possible way at exactly the right time and do not risk disrupting him in situations where the traffic demands all his attention.

Smart, integrated communication solutions, user-friendly instrument panels, co-ordination of safety functions and better understanding of how driver behaviour is affected by acoustic and visual signals are some of the results of the research. One of the outcomes of the research is Volvo Trucks’ prototype Integrated Safety Truck, a positive example of the potential available with integrated safety solutions.

“The results indicated the direction of tomorrow’s product development. Some of the ideas we can already see in our forthcoming truck models,” reveals Lars-Göran Löwenadler.

About thirty or so companies co-operated in the project, which was partly financed by EU funds. Many of the participants emphasised the significance of joint projects between researchers, industry and the EU member countries. One of them was Zita Gurmai, an MEP responsible for the EU’s focus on increased traffic safety through the ‘Intelligent Car Initiative’. She says, “Every year, more than 40,000 people are killed in Europe as a result of traffic accidents. That is why AIDE research is important. Not just because it tailors technology’s potential to the human being, but also because it creates a common view within the EU. This is a precondition for achieving broad-based concrete results. Our goal is clear: to save lives.”

Volvo bags 240 city buses order from BMTC

These low-floor, airconditioned city buses from Volvo should be a boon for Bangalore residents

In addition to the 70 buses it had earlier delivered to the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), Volvo has bagged another order of 240 city buses from the State-run transport undertaking. BMTC had first decided to invest in modern, air-conditioned city buses from Volvo two years ago.

Volvo’s city bus in India is built on the B7RLE chassis, and the body is designed after the Volvo 8700 European model. The air-conditioned city bus features a low-set floorboard for easy entry and a wheelchair ramp. The 290HP Volvo engine meets Euro III emission norms.

As per the new order, Volvo will deliver 240 city buses to BMTC by the end of this year or latest by the beginning of 2009. BMTC intends to deploy about 40 of these buses between Bangalore’s new airport and the city centre, while the other buses will be deployed on various routes within Bangalore city.

In addition to Bangalore, Volvo city buses are also being used in Pune, Chennai and Mysore.

New JVs to drive growth in the Indian commercial vehicles sector

There's just no stopping the Indian CV sector now...

The commercial vehicle segment in India will soon witness a lot of action from new as well as established players, even as new joint ventures are being formed, investments are being made and products are being readied for launch.

The recently announced Daimler Hero Motor Corporation (DHMC) will also start making trucks under a new brand name by the year 2010, and apart from catering to the Indian market, the company will also explore the export market.

Daimler Trucks, a division of Daimler AG, has five truck brands in its portfolio – Mercedes-Benz, Sterling, Freightliner, Western Star, and Mitsubishi Fuso. With a wide range of trucks to choose from Daimler Trucks’ range, and with the Hero Group’s marketing and supplier network, DHMC could be in a powerful position in the Indian CV market within the next five years.

Initially, the company will only look at light and medium commercial vehicles, and will add HCVs to its lineup only after 2012. Apart from introducing CVs from the Daimler Trucks range, DHMC will also develop light, low-cost CVs especially for the Indian market.

DHMC isn’t, of course, the only new player in the Indian CV scenario. Nissan has tied up with Chennai-based Ashok Leyland, and will manufacture LCVs and small trucks for the Indian market. Navistar, the world's fourth biggest manufacturer of trucks, has tied up with the Mahindras to produce HCVs for the Indian market. And German company, MAN (Europe's third-largest CV manufacturer), had formed and a JV with Force Motors, and the company has set up a new manufacturing plant near Indore, in MP, to build up to 24,000 CVs per annum.

Older, more established players are also taking steps to ensure that they stay at the top of their game. Volvo, for example, has picked up a stake in Eicher Motors, investing US$350 million in the new partnership, and the Swedish company will now control Eicher’s truck, bus and auto components businesses.

Whichever way you look at it, the Indian CV segment looks all set for some frenetic activity over the next few months.