IRVINE, CA. (May 25, 2005) Volvo Cars of North America (VCNA) announced today a partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC), linking their roadside assistance network to the nation's leading organization for the prevention of abducted, endangered, and sexually exploited children.
According to a U.S. Department of Justice study, nearly 800,000 children were reported missing in a one year period. That is the equivalent of more than 2,000 children being reported each day.
"Volvo Cars wants to help law enforcement and NCMEC bring more children home safely," says Anne Bélec, VCNA president and CEO. "When a child is missing, lost, or in danger we all have a responsibility to do everything possible, as quickly as possible to assist.”
Bélec notes that Volvo's "On-Call" roadside service assistance network will now be linked to trained professionals in NCMEC’s Hotline. When a Volvo driver, or anyone with access to the emergency phone number on the Volvo "On-Call" card or decal, calls in a report it goes immediately into the system. Time is a critical element to the successful resolution in cases of missing children.
Every new Volvo sold will receive a window decal instructing drivers to call the toll-free "On Call" number for emergency assistance or to report information on a missing, lost, or child in danger. "Our On Call link with NCMEC will provide instantaneous help in the hands of so many," said Bélec.
"Volvo is helping us increase awareness about child safety in communities nationwide," said Ernie Allen, president and CEO of NCMEC. "By calling on their customers to get involved, Volvo is making them active participants in the search for missing and lost children.”
Care By Volvo® On Call Roadside Assistance is a service included with all new Volvos to provide motoring protection to Volvo owners. "On Call" operates through Cross Country Automotive Services who manages a network of independent and licensed service providers across the United States.
About The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
NCMEC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. NCMEC's congressionally mandated CyberTipline, a reporting mechanism for child sexual exploitation, has handled more than 313,000 leads. Since its establishment in 1984, NCMEC has assisted law enforcement with more than 106,000 missing child cases, resulting in the recovery of more than 92,000 children. For more information about NCMEC, call its toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST or visit www.missingkids.com.
ABOUT VCNA
Volvo Cars of North America, part of the Volvo Car Corporation of Gothenburg, Sweden, provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to Volvo automobile retailers in the United States, and oversees Volvo operations in Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico.
Volvo has been building cars with Safety in mind for over 75 years. The 2005 Volvo Cars model line-up includes: the award-winning new S40 and its wagon counterpart the all-new V50; the award-winning XC90; the sporty S60 sedan – including the award-winning performance sedan – S60 R and the performance wagon version – V70 R; the flagship S80 luxury sedan; versatile V70 wagon and rugged XC70 (Cross Country); and, the C70 convertible.
For more information:
Volvo Cars of North America
Public Affairs
800-970-0888
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Communications Department
703-837-6111
