History of Volvo in Roanoke, VA

The Beginnings of Volvo

Back in the day, Swedes were craving sturdier and safer rides to tackle their tricky roads. So, on April 14, 1927, the very first Volvo rolled out of the factory in Gothenburg, Sweden. It was a sleek open tourer powered by a four-cylinder engine, and they named it the ÖV4.

Then in 1944, Volvo introduced the charming PV 444, affectionately known as "The Little Volvo," which propelled the brand onto the global stage. This adorable car marked the beginning of Volvo's journey towards international recognition. As time went on, Volvo maintained its momentum, expanding its lineup and emphasizing the practicality and versatility of its vehicles.

Volvo made its splash on California's shores in 1955, debuting its first PV 444 model in Long Beach. This move marked a significant step into the US market, propelling Volvo to become the second-largest imported brand of the time.

Volvo’s: Known For Innovation

Fun fact: Volvo is the genius behind the three-point safety belt, thanks to engineer Nils Bohlin. He rolled out this game-changer in the PV 544 back in 1959. What's even cooler? He waived the patent rights, so everyone could stay safe on the road.

Volvo's safety standards set the bar so high that the US Government even chose their 240 model as the gold standard for crash testing all new cars. Talk about driving innovation, huh?

Volvo has been a real game-changer in the automotive scene, introducing lots of innovations over the years. Items like the transverse five-cylinder engine, self-adjusting belt reels, front-wheel drive, Side Impact Protection Systems, and Delta-link rear suspension exist all thanks to Volvo. Safety has always been their top priority since day one. Volvo has this proud tradition of putting people first in everything they design.

The New Volvo Generation

At the turn of the century, Volvo jumped into the SUV game with its debut model, the XC90, and set up shop in China, marking its first manufacturing plant outside of Europe. Fast-forward to 2018, and Volvo hit another milestone with its first US plant opening its doors in Charleston, South Carolina, making it a truly global manufacturing powerhouse spanning Europe, Asia, and North America.

Then, in 2019, Volvo rolled out its first all-electric SUV: the Volvo XC40 Recharge P8. With these exciting innovations and their steadfast reputation for reliability, Volvo is doubling down on efforts to minimize its environmental footprint in the years ahead.

Visit Berglund Volvo of Roanoke

Discover Volvo's excellence and forward-thinking spirit at Berglund Volvo of Roanoke. From your beloved Volvo models to top-notch auto services, we're here to serve the Roanoke, VA, community and beyond. Let's embark on the Volvo journey together!