Volvo has announced at the Boston International Auto Show plans to equip all its vehicle models with HD radio systems. Volvo will be the first automotive manufacturer to install HD radios on its vehicles.

HD radio is said to be the next most significant development in radio history since the inception of the FM radio fifty years ago. HD radios promise crystal clear sound quality and improved sound production as never before seen. Since the radio stations broadcast on digital format, more artists are given a chance to showcase their talents and their music. This gives the listener a wider range of music genres to listen to. The HD radio also feeds useful information such as song title and artist, traffic and weather updates, news, school closings and other emergency alerts on its display screen. Best of all, subscription to HD radio is free.

Among the Volvo car models to be equipped with HD radio are the S40 T5, V50 T5, C30, C70, S80, V70, XC70 and XC90. According to Dirk Bott, Vice President of Brand, Business & Product, Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, “We believe Volvo will have the largest standard equipped HD Radio technology fleet in the world. Our drivers expect the highest quality in every aspect of their vehicles. Adding HD Radio capability to our [car] models truly makes our audio systems state of the art, giving Volvo drivers an even more enjoyable driving experience.”

The HD radio system is being tested in various countries around the world including Argentina, Australia, Bosnia, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Switzerland, Thailand and Ukraine.

HD radio equipped Volvo cars will be available during the Fall of 2008.

Source: Volvo Cars Moves into HD Radio Revolution , Volvo to Make HD Radio Standard for 2009 Models

Volvo embarks on yet another first with the incorporation of the AUTOSAR (AUTOmotive Open System ARchitecture) into its vehicle platforms. This new system allows new vehicle software system suppliers, independent of hardware suppliers, to transact with Volvo.

Not that long ago, Automotive OEMs such as Volvo relied on traditional suppliers to deliver both car parts (hardware) and software solutions to their vehicles. According to Anders Ydergård, Senior Vice President Vehicle Research and Development, Volvo Group, “AUTOSAR gives the automotive industry the possibility to combine software applications from one supplier with hardware from another supplier. This is to be compared to how different programs can be installed in a desktop PC.”

With the incorporation of the AUTOSAR system, Volvo’s client – supplier market is now open to more independent and innovative software developers. Volvo joined the AUTOSAR partnership in 2004 and the Volvo Group plans on utilizing the system in its future development plans. All software incorporated in Volvo vehicles will conform to AUTOSAR standards.

Ydergård believes that the inception of AUTOSAR into Volvo vehicles will indeed be a fruitful one. He is quoted saying, “The Volvo Group is an active player in the industry standard development and we certainly believe in the AUTOSAR platform. We currently have a dialogue with our suppliers in this matter and since we are the first to implement the standard we are looking forward to a creative discussion with new and existing partners.”

Source:Volvo Group first commercial vehicle manufacturer to introduce AUTOSAR

Volvo will be launching a new generation of Volvo FH long haul trucks in Europe this summer of 2008. The new Volvo FH long – haul truck series is getting an interior cabin face lift and an upgrade.

According to Claes Nilsson, President, Europe Division of Volvo Trucks, “At present there is immense demand for our trucks, resulting in abnormally long delivery times. We therefore want to give our customers the opportunity to place advance orders for the product range that will become available as of next autumn.” The newly upgraded trucks will begin production in the autumn of 2008 but eager customers can place their orders as early as December of this year.

So what makes the Volvo FH series so special? The new series of trucks boasts of “comfort, functionality and safety”. The driver’s area has an easy to view instrument panel and a design which allows for more space in the driver’s compartment. The passenger seat can swivel up to 90 degrees and can recline as far as 15 degrees back. Lighting is improved as there are 17 light sources dispersed throughout the truck’s interior and an advanced lighting control that allows the truck’s occupants to adjust the lights’ brightness. The new trucks also have increased storage space with storage compartments above the driver’s seat and under the bed. The level of comfort inside the truck also goes up a notch with a “broader bed with adjustable backrest and a higher position for a more comfortable seat height”. The truck also boasts of an audio system which can play music from USB, AUX, MP3 and even TV. The truck also has weather sensors which automatically adjust windshield wiper speed to the amount of rain that it detects. It also has cornering lights which provide greater visibility for the driver when turning around road bends and areas that would need better corner visibility.

The Volvo FH and FH16 are positioned to attract the best drivers because these trucks provide the greatest luxury for long – haul segment trucks. Nilson says that, “The Volvo FH and Volvo FH16 are designed for heavy transportation assignments, with high demands on productivity. By improving the driver’s ability to do a first-class job, we also contribute to our customers’ profitability. What’s more, this also makes it easier for them to attract the very best drivers.”

Source: A foretaste of the new Volvo FH and Volvo FH16