70s Volvo History

After fourteen years of manufacturing, when Volvo history had been numbered 667,323 cars, Volvo Amazon production was phased out at the beginning of the summer. The Volvo Amazon was the best example of Volvo philosophy, consisting of production reliability, capability to be improved; Volvo Amazon was the car which could be produced during the years ahead and would have made an important contribution to safety and quality development. The changes, made by the 1970 and Volvo 140 were insignificant – a new grille design with a diagonal stripe. During the year Volvo passed the 2 million car point in production.

1971

In Volvo history this was the year of new sales stepping up. Sales rate rose for the 20th year, during this year 214,000 automobiles has been produced. Volvo became a giant in motor-car construction in Scandinavia; in the UK sales stepped up almost by 50%.

The Volvo 164 E was introduced as the most powerful automobile among the all cars that had been produced before. The engine had electronic injection and produced 175h/p. The new 1800 version was presented in 1971. Emphatic, impetuous, elongated side-view underlined the sports nature that even had, in addition, a large luggage compartment. The model was known as the 1800 ES.

1972

“We need the addition of a small car” – was a frequent response of Volvo’s dealers. That was the Volvo’s main reason for purchasing 33% of the shares in DAF in Holland marking essential step in company history. Another reason was that Volvo wanted strongly to strengthen its position in the EU. In 1972 Volvo presented the VESC (Volvo Experimental Safety Car).

An experimental car and being faced the future at the same time. The VESC was a virtually mobile lab, in which various rise-of-safety components such as brakes anti-skid, airbags, and telescopic bumpers has been developed and tested. A rich experience, acquired from the VESC, was applied later to the 240/260 series. In 1972 VTC, the Volvo Technical Centre, was established.

1973

Production was in full swing when the first dark clouds of an oil crisis appeared on the horizon. This year production was at top level for the whole Volvo history. The USA became the largest marketing outlets followed by Sweden. Nobody could surmise that an international economic recession was just round the corner. A large bumper was installed to the models of that year as the US standards required. However, interior was subjected to the most essential modifications. They included new dashboard, on which the most important equipment was grouped in front of the driver. The steering wheel became smaller and a rectangular safety cushion appeared in the middle.

1974

A new generation of Volvo cars was announced: the Volvo 240 was available in six ...
various versions and Volvo 260 in two versions. These models had new front that came from the experimental the VESC model. Dashboard was also changed. The role of 240th series became even significant I Volvo history after the model attained new B21 engine.

The 260 series also was equipped with a new engine, the B27. This new six-cylinder engine was the first offspring resulting from the Volvo’s joint venture with Renault and Peugeot for the automobile engine development. The joint venture was established in 1971. The 240/260 series production took Volvo to a leading position among the world’s automobile producers in the terms of safety.

The new Volvo’s car plant in Kalmar had been finished by the 8th February. It had an unusual design and it looked like a star among the other car plants. This car plant caught a lot of attention thanks to its fundamentally new production process in Volvo history engaging automatic transport baskets of the car bodies and working procedure rearrangement that was managed by a small teams or workers.


1975


In 1975 there were presented more two new models joined company model line-up: Volvo 265 and Volvo 66. The 265 model was an exclusive estate that provided ride comfort with a six-cylinder engine. The Volvo 66 finally gave Volvo to vent to a small cars market. The 66 model was a development of the DAF 66, a comfortable urban car that was equipped with a variator type of hydro transmission. It was produced in Holland at

DAF plant, which was renamed to Volvo Car B.V. The Swedish Automobile Association rewarded Volvo with a golden medal for the safety equipment as a day lights and the main brake cylinder structure featuring essential event in Volvo history.

1976

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) acquired several Volvo 240 model automobiles that were used to set the safety standards, which all new cars had to comply with when entering the US car market. In Volvo 343 model from Holland came as another note on Volvo history. This was the car completely developed from nothing at the Volvo Car B.V plant. The Volvo 343 was intended to conquer the new but growing intensively market for mid-class cars. The first model was equipped with 1.4 engine and variator type of hydro transmission. Despite its exterior dimensions, there was enough free inner space available. A big rear luggage compartment of this hatchback, a powerful De Dion single-spring rear suspension system and folding seats made this car very efficient.

Primarily this model was not widely recognized (because of inexpressive guise), but after some modifications, the 340th series along with the 240/260 series became company’s best-selling model in Volvo history during the 1970’s and 80’s. In Sweden Volvo introduced a new type of the ...
service warranty - VSG – which protected the clients from sudden expenses in conjunction with after-sales service or repairs during the first three years of a car’s life.

Volvo introduced for the first time in the world (in California, the USA) a three-stage catalytic converter with a Lambda probe marking one more vivid achievement in Volvo history. This equipment reduced exhaust emission approximately by 90%.

1977

Volvo celebrated its 50th jubilee with the 240th Special model production. This car was available in silver metallic with black and gold decorative molding. During this year Volvo also presented the Volvo 262 Coupe. In fact, 262 occurred real zest in Volvo automobiles history.

This was an extremely exclusive model that was built using elaborations of the Italian designer Bertone. The seats were made of leather and the car was equipped with air-conditioner, electronic window raiser, rear-view mirrors and an acoustic system. The engine was the same as in the 260th models, V6 140hp B27 model engine.

At the same time suppositional merger between Volvo and Saab-Scania was the most discussed event of the year within auto industry circles. But subsequently Volvo refused this idea, as the Saab-Scania management was not interested in it.

1978

Since the beginning of the 1970’s Volvo’s car operations became more independent as far. One more step in this direction was undertaken by Volvo Cars reorganization into the daughter enterprise, the Volvo Cars Corporation, with Hekan Frisinger as president. For the first time car sales passed 10,000 SEK mark and accounted for about 54% of the Volvo Group’s total turnover.

The number of interior improvements, new versions and even better driving characteristics in the models of 1979 were introduced proving the initial company approach demonstrated throughout the whole course of Volvo history. In 1978 Volvo 343 model was issued with manual transmission.

A great technical innovation in Volvo history occurred six-cylinder diesel engine that was put on manufacturing in 1979. It was later joined by a five-cylinder diesel engine. In 1978 Volvo management propounded a proposal to establish a joint venture with Norway. But most Volvo shareholders had not encouraged this idea and Volvo management decided not to make a crucial move in its history.

1979

During the year Volvo stepped up the car production almost by 25% and sold more than 310,000 automobiles. The four-millionth car in Volvo history was among them. Volvo has covenanted for co-operation, construction and product development with French Renault.

The Engines resulting from joint Volvo-Renault venture had been installed onещ 340/360 series and later on the 440/60 series. During some years Renault was a principal shareholder in Volvo Car Corporation. The 1980th car models were presented in august and ...
attained excellent reception by car market.

In addition to the Volvo six-cylinder diesel engine, the new Volvo 240th series were replenished by the GLT with a 140hp 4-cylinder engine. Within the 340 series a five-door hatchback – the Volvo 345 with a 70hp engine was introduced. After a decade of problems in Volvo history the company elaborated a strategy of aggressive production development for the 1980s.