Volvo was founded by Assar Gabrielsson and Gustav Larson in 1924 and their first car, the 1944cc Jakob, arrived on the scene by 1927.
Their idea was to build a vehicle more suited to the Scandinavian climate than the usual imports. SKF was sufficiently impressed to fund the production run of the first thousand cars. They also allowed the new company to use one of its patented names: AB Volvo.
Volvo was also producing 1.5 ton trucks and a range of taxis known as TRs, based on the PV4. The trucks actually outsold the cars until World War II.
By 1932, the company was in profit and operating from its own factory; output was well over 900 cars a year. SKF relinquished control of Volvo with a stock flotation in 1935. Volvo then took over AB Penta, which became the marine-engineering unit of Volvo.
Sweden's neutrality during the war allowed Volvo to maintain production, but production fell. Volvo's first post-war car was the PV444, which featured independent front suspension and rear coil springs. This car gained Volvo a foothold in the US. For the first time, cars outsold trucks and a major investment program was started. During this period, Volvo invented the 3-point safety belt, considered the most important safety feature of all time.
To redress criticism about styling, Volvo produced a short run of sports cars, based on the PV444, and styled in the US Glaspar. This was cancelled due to the Suez crisis. The next venture on a similar theme was the P1800 coupe, which was built in 1961. Italy's Ghia and then Frua designed the car and UK company, Pressed steel, built the bodies. The P1800 won acclaim as the car driven by actor Roger Moore as the Saint.
A new factory was built in 1964 with Swedish Government backing. 1966 saw the advent of the 140 series. The 6-cylinder 164 appeared in 1968 and by 1974 the 144s were updated to become 240s in 1974. Further facelifts produced the 244 saloons and 245 estates.
1982 saw the launch of the 760 series and the 780 coupe was shown at that year's Geneva auto show. 1986 saw the 480ES, which was built in the Netherlands at a factory acquired with a 75% stake in DAF's car division.
The 1990s saw speculation concerning a deal with Renault that never took place. In 1992, the 850, was launched. Performance was astounding, and surprised many drivers. The next shock was a Volvo with curves, the S/V40 joint venture with Mitsubishi. The S80 introduced two new safety features: whiplash protection and side impact curtain airbag.
Compare Volvo car insurance quotes now
Use our free car insurance comparison tool to find the best policy for your Volvo.
Check Volvo insurance groups - select a model to start
Whether you currently own a Volvo or you are considering buying a model from
the Volvo range, it helps if you understand insurance groups and how they affect
your premium.
Insurance group ratings take into account performance, security, damage and parts costs, new
car values, availability of body shells and repair costs and times. What you'll typically
find is that cars in lower insurance groups attract a lower premium, whilst cars in higher
insurance groups attract a higher premium - usually because they are high performance models
or have high repair or replacement costs. Just choose a model to check its insurance group ratings.