For Immediate Release
Safety is as safety does...
Volvo S60 joins GlaxoSmithKline fleet as incentive for safe drivers
ROCKLEIGH, NJ - February 14, 2001 - GlaxoSmithKline, one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, has written a prescription for safer driving for its travelling employees and Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. has delivered the right medicine.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has taken delivery of the first of 500 new Volvo S60 sedans for its fleet. The cars are used by sales personnel as they travel across the country, serving clients in every state. The sporty new sedans are awarded to employees who registered a safe driving record over five years on the road for the company.
"Giving one of the world's safest Volvos to the company's safest drivers is both a reward and an incentive," says Shirley F. Collins, manager of fleet and insurance services for GSK.
"Driver safety is a primary concern for the GlaxoSmithKline fleet," Collins explains. "Glaxo Wellcome has an extensive driver safety program in which we track driver records, training, accidents and awards. Safe driver awards are offered to drivers that maintain a good driving record for a five year period. The normal award is an upgrade in company vehicle."
The Volvo S60's state-of-the-art array of passive and active safety technologies are just part of what makes it the ideal incentive, Collins says.
"With the introduction of the new S60, we saw the opportunity to offer a signature 'safety award' vehicle," adds Collins. "It's a very visible incentive only attainable through safe driving habits."
Peter Butterfield, VCNA Executive Vice President, says the sale to GSK is the largest fleet sale to date for the company. It is also, he believes, the beginning of a trend.
"Employee days and weeks lost to injury on the job represent a real problem for companies, particularly ones with highly specialized workers. Companies that really care about their employees are looking at every aspect of health and safety, and that includes fleet safety," Butterfield explains. "Enlightened companies, like GSK, will increasingly look at how to protect those employees and no one knows passenger protection better than Volvo. We will be talking to more companies like GSK in the future."
Volvo Cars of North America is part of the Volvo Car Corporation of Goteborg, Sweden. The company provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to the 328 Volvo automobile retailers in the US and 43 in Canada. 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.
