In August 1958, the Volvo PV544, the more modern successor to the PV444, was introduced. The changes were the most extensive since the PV444 had been presented in 1944.
In 1956, a prototype of a new passenger car from Volvo was presented. The car became known as the Amazon in Sweden and the 121 and 122S on the export markets. The designation 122S was used for a version with a more powerful engine.