Technology and Innovation

Innovation is in our DNA

At Volvo Cars, we always keep moving forward by developing new technologies. Innovation is in our DNA. That same innovative spirit is the basis for our ambitions for the coming years around electrification, safety, autonomous drive and connectivity.

By the middle of next decade, we expect half of our global annual sales volume to be fully electric. One-third of our global volume will be fully autonomous cars and we will have established over five million direct consumer relationships - all while still being a leader in safety. We will offer our customers the freedom to move, in a personal, sustainable and safe way.

The safety brand, then and now

Our reputation as a company is built on safety. Ever since Volvo Cars' foundation in 1927, protecting the people inside and around our cars has been central to our brand and the way we develop our cars. That commitment is as strong today as it was more than 90 years ago.

With the advent of autonomous driving technology, we see new opportunities to further advance traffic safety by taking human mistakes out of the equation. And we believe that it is autonomous drive technology that will further take society towards a future without accidents and traffic fatalities, in line with our safety vision.

Autonomous cars are not yet in the public domain. But in the next few years, we will see them on our roads and an autonomous Volvo car will be as safe as Volvo customers expect. And further into the future, autonomy offers huge promise to revolutionise the way we travel. As we demonstrated in our 360c autonomous concept, it could radically change how we use our cars, where we work and where we live.

A connected and electric future

The next generation of Volvo cars will be fully electric and fully connected. Representing the future of Volvo and the industry as a whole, 100% battery-powered and zero-emission premium cars will increasingly take the place of hybrids. Our first fully electric car, the XC40 Recharge, is now available and is the first of a family of fully electric Volvos to come.

Inside, we will take our intuitive infotainment system to the next level, together with our partners at Google. Powered by Android with the Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play built-in, the next generation of infotainment introduces new levels of personalisation and connectivity. Just like with your smartphone, you will have access to many of your favourite apps and your car will fit you and your lifestyle even better, like a well-tailored suit.

Via Volvo on Call, our connected car platform, you can already now access numerous connected services related to your car. Pre-heat your car on a freezing winter morning, or have the mailman drop your latest online shopping delivery in your car. And if you would ever get in trouble, the Volvo on Call service centre is there to help you, available 24/7.

But what does your car really mean? Consumers around the globe are rethinking traditional car ownership. Instead of buying and owning a car, some drivers prefer to have temporary access to a car whenever they want it. Others like to subscribe to a car the way they already subscribe to music, films and smartphones, or share a car with friends. In coming years, we will expand our business with new ways of offering people access to a Volvo.

Finding the next idea

At Volvo Cars, we believe a good idea can come from anywhere. That is why we have a number of ongoing projects that allow us to constantly scour the world for the most innovative technologies and ideas that can shape the future of transport and mobility.

The main feather in our cap is the Volvo Cars Tech Fund, which we founded in 2018. The Fund makes strategic investments and provides global market access for innovative ideas in the mobility and tech sectors.

We also support start-ups in the mobility sector through the MobilityXlab in Gothenburg, Sweden and DRIVE in Tel Aviv, Israel. Since 2017 Volvo Cars has been a leading partner in both initiatives, which act as an accelerator for promising start-ups with pioneering ideas, providing access to valuable mentorship, competence and industry connections.

Submit your innovation to Volvo Cars

At Volvo Cars, we're well known for our innovative products influencing the entire car industry. Our successful and innovative products inspire others and every year we receive unsolicited suggestions and ideas from all over the world. Whether you have an idea or innovation, we welcome your submission.