FOCUS ON SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY FOR VOLVO CAR CORPORATION

Volvo Cars' Corporate and Sustainability Report for 2009/2010 shows a continued focus on sustainable mobility. With an improvement in the sales situation and a strong range of products such as the all-new Volvo S60, Volvo Cars got off to a positive start in 2010 following a turbulent 2009. The continued drive towards sustainable mobility remains high up on the agenda and one example of this dedication is the decision to start series production of plug-in hybrids in 2012.

"Our commitment goes beyond the tailpipe emissions of our cars - we believe that our responsibility starts with our supplier chain, through production, use and recycling, encompassing a holistic environmental approach," says Stephen Odell, President and CEO.

As of last year, Volvo Cars' Corporate and Sustainability Report is integrated into a single document to emphasise how important sustainability issues are in the company's everyday work. The report is divided according to the operation's focus areas of environmental care, safety and profitability, with each section containing key ratios and results from the past year together with a description of the vision for the future.

Recurring themes in the Report are the significance of cooperation and partnerships, as well as the importance of Volvo Cars' employees and team work to be successful.

Examples of important events that have been highlighted are:

• The introduction of seven DRIVe models, exceptionally fuel-efficient diesel cars with particularly low CO₂ emissions
• The decision to start series production in 2012 of a plug-in hybrid that can be charged through an ordinary electrical outlet
• Volvo XC60 is a continued success. It was the best-selling Volvo model in 2009 and has received several international awards
• The introduction of the global innovation Pedestrian Detection - a pioneering technological solution to protect pedestrians in urban environments. Initially, available in the all-new Volvo S60.

Volvo Cars is continuing the development of innovative new solutions for sustainable mobility.

"The future we see ahead is one in which our cars do not crash and have no emissions that negatively impact the environment. And it's not a question of if we get there - it's a question of when", says Stephen Odell.

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Editor notes

The Volvo Cars' Corporate and Sustainability Report 2009/2010 is available to download on the Volvo Car UK media website www.media.volvocars.co.uk  

Additional information about Volvo Cars' work with sustainability issues, including the way the company complies with the guidelines for the GRI (Global Reporting Initiative), can be found at www.volvocars.com/sustainability. There it is also possible to download the Report or order a printed copy.