If "Mission Statements" had been invented by 1927 Volvo's could well have been "ceasless quest for safety in personal transportation". The progression of safety systems and components built into Volvos throughout the years is impressive. I have made an attempt at listing these safety features in roughly chronological order but I am sure there are some I have missed. Here goes:
In the really early days: rear brakes, and parking brake, and in the fifties: 3 point seat belts, rear seat belts, unit body construction, padded dash and other interior components, energy absorbing steering column, disk brakes, split circuit brakes, side marker lights, seat head rests, halogen headlights, engineered crash crumple zones to absorb energy in crashes and passenger compartment integrity, inertia reel seat belts, energy absorbing bumpers, side impact reinforcing bar in doors, 3rd brake lights.
More recently are the onset of acronym safety systems such as supplemental restraint system i.e. air bags (SRS), anti-lock brakes (ABS), global positioning system (GPS), traction control system (TRACS), Seat belt pretentioners which use a pyrotechnic to tighten belts at impact, side impact protection system (SIPS), whiplash control system (WHIPS) in which the seat absorbs shock, all wheel drive (AWD), dynamic stability traction control (DSTC), roll over protection system (ROPES), roll stability control (RSC) gyroscopic sensor to measure roll angle, electronic brake distribution (EBD), regulates braking force each of the rear wheels helping the ABS, emergency brake assistance (EBA) which adds brake pedal pressure if the driver isn't efficient enough, reverse warning system (RWS) an audible alarm when reversing, inflatable curtains (IC) to protect heads, integrated child booster seat (ICBS) standardizing child seat installation, anti submarine system, (I think I know why there is no acronym for this one) design soft spot in the the lower part of dash in the event the occupant slips out under the seat belt, collision compatability (CC) a consealed lower cross member in the front of the tall XC90 to protect a lower car in front in a collision, use of ultra high strength materials such as Boron Steel in the XC90 roof structure and carbon fibre, and most recently 4C dash adjustable suspension system, run flat tires, blind spot information system (BLIS) to detect cars in the blind spot, park assist (PA) an audible alarm when getting too close to other vehicles when parking.
Volvo now does everything but blow you nose for you. Well, from a disreputable source within Volvo we learn that, blow your nose for you (BYNFY) will be available as standard equipment for the drivers position in all models in 2008 and optional systems for the 3 back seat positions will be available in the next model year. The back seat versions will of course be adjustable for height to suit your childrens growth and will be compatible with all commercially available tissues!!