Press Releases

Volvo Cars launches new Media Website, highlighted by innovation

 

For Immediate Release

Volvo Cars launches new Media Resource, highlighted by innovation

 

IRVINE, CA - September 25, 2001 - In an information age fueled by technology, Volvo Cars of North America, LLC introduces a new ground-breaking resource for the automotive media. The new virtual public affairs/media relations resource features a number of innovations that make it the new benchmark for automotive media support.

 

The website, www.volvocars-PR.com, is designed to provide a continuous update for web publishers, with state of the art features unique in its functionality and versatility says VCNA.

 

"Many of the complex systems and integration designs are behind the scenes, our primary objective was to provide a resource that is simple, fast and easy to use," says Roger Ormisher, VCNA Vice President, Public Affairs. "Journalists told us they wanted information that was clear, concise and easily accessible. We set out to create something that was fast, current and consistent. This is not a marketing site, it's a media resource tailored to the needs of working writers, editors, broadcasters, print and Web publishers," he said.

 

The new website has an extensive inventory of current and recent media information, product specifications and prices, as well as background information on Volvo-developed technologies, sales results, innovations in safety and corporate information. "What it doesn't have," says Ormisher, "is gimmicks and distractions. You won't see any 'flash' technology here," he confirms.

 

Designing a versatile site with new features that is also fast and simple to use meant breaking new ground, says Glen Demetrioff of site developer DMT Development Systems Group Inc., a Canadian-based web developer. "VCNA had two goals. One, to use everyday Office documents to dynamically post data to the site. Two, to house the data in a completely scalable site that supports multiple data formats that are suitable for the media and 3rd party Websites. The process of 'data shaping' was a real challenge and, I think, a real achievement," says Demetrioff. "VolvoCars-PR is the first site to really cater to both end-user and technology audiences at the same time."

 

With the proliferation of new technologies, and keeping up the digital age, the site will soon be accessible to WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) enabled devices such as PDA's (Personal Digital Assistants) and cellular phones "Media information in Spanish and for Volvo companies in Canada, both English and French languages will be added shortly," Ormisher says. "Media in every quarter has a growing confidence in the information available on the Internet," he concludes. "We want to be the leaders in providing that information in the auto industry."

 

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC is part of the Volvo Car Corporation of Goteborg, Sweden. The company provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to the 340+ Volvo automobile retailers across the country. The 2001 Volvo automobile line includes the flagship S80 luxury sedan, versatile V70 wagon and rugged Cross Country, C70 coupe and convertible, the sporty, new S60 sedan and compact S40 and V40 models.

 

www.volvocars-PR.com innovations include:

 

Text, Word, HTML and XML file availability - Users will be able to download files in conventional word processing formats as well as HTML and XML. Web publishers will be able to transport data in XML without the need to adapt it.

 

Context-sensitive photo search - Users can search the extensive Volvo photo library by context as well as by model or feature. Art directors or designers requiring a photo with a beach background or with a family context can retrieve an array of shots with this description.

 

Article broadcasting - send article Hotlinks to a colleague. This removes the hassle of downloading and attaching an article to an email. Ideal for PDA devices.

 

Microsoft .Net compatible - Volvocars-PR complies with the Microsoft .Net technology platform.

For More Information:

 

Stephen R Bohannon

Volvo Cars of North America

1.800.970.888

 

Glen Demetrioff

DMT Development Systems Group

204.927.1801

 

V2001-41

Keywords:
Product News
Descriptions and facts in this press material relate to Volvo Cars' international car range. Described features might be optional. Vehicle specifications may vary from one country to another and may be altered without prior notification.