VOLVO'S WORLD-FIRST TECHNOLOGY WINS ITS FIRST UK AWARD
Volvo's new City Safety system which helps avoid or reduce the severity of low-speed collisions has won the Technology category at the Fleet World Honours1 Awards 2008 in London today, its first UK award. City Safety will be introduced as a world-first standard feature in the new Volvo XC60, which arrives in UK showrooms this October.
At speeds of under 19mph, City Safety uses laser sensor technology to detect vehicles up to 10 metres in front of the car's front bumper and reacts to vehicles in front that are either at a standstill or are moving slowly in the same direction as the car itself. If the gap between the cars continues to close and the driver remains inactive, the car applies the brakes automatically.
City Safety's potential for reducing the risk of both personal injuries and car bodywork damage is significant and may also cut insurance costs, as Volvo is currently involved in a dialogue with insurance companies regarding lower insurance premiums for cars equipped with City Safety.
Commenting on the award, Chairman of Judges George Emmerson said: ‘Volvo's commitment to researching and developing groundbreaking technologies has led to a number of safety milestones. City Safety is among the cleverest so far, predicting when low-speed accidents will happen and preventing them from occurring. City Safety will offer fleets financial, operational and social benefits that deserve recognition.'
John Wallace, Volvo Car UK's corporate sales and leasing manager says, "With surveys indicating that 75% of all reported collisions take place at speeds of under 18 mph, and in 50% of these cases the driver has not braked at all before the collision, it's easy to see the potential City Safety has in reducing incidents of this kind. As well as these safety benefits it also offers significant operational improvements, which is good news for businesses, and I am delighted that the judges have recognised this".
Ends
Notes to editors
1. The Fleet World Honours are presented annually to those motor manufacturers, service companies and individuals who have, in the opinion of the judges, achieved the highest possible level of excellence in their sector.
