To alleviate for nickel allergy-sufferers, all nickel containing parts are tested to ensure nickel leakage meats the requirements set by Volvo.
Nickel allergy is one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis in the industrialised world. It is estimated that up to 15% of women, and up to 5% of men - up to 120 million people in the industrialised world - have nickel allergy. Those allergic to nickel may get an itchy rash when their skin touches a metal surface with nickel alloy. For these people, it is essential to avoid contact with nickel containing metals. But nickel can be found in many everyday items; from coins to watch bands, from eye-glass frames to necklage clasps - and in components in car interiors.
However, Volvo Cars has a strict requirement that parts supplied for our car interiors fulfil our nickel standard. This means that for all interior components with metallic appearance in Volvo cars, such as interior door handle, gear lever, key, Volvo badge in the steering wheel and climate control buttons, nickel leakage has been minimized. This Volvo standard applies to our whole car range. The nickel containing parts have been covered with a plating free of nickel, and they have all been tested to ensure nickel release fulfils the strict Volvo standard.
"At Volvo Cars, we have worked a long time with our suppliers to reduce allergens in the passenger cabin. All textiles and leather are certified to Oeko-Tex Standard 100, and four models with 9 different cabin interiors have interior air that is recommended by the Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association", says Andreas Andersson, responsible for clean car interiors at Volvo Cars.
(source: Volvo)
(March 2006). Volvo is introducing a reworked identity as part of widespread changes to the way it markets itself.
The Swedish motor vehicle manufacturer has appointed branding agency Bite to develop its logo as part of a plan to elevate the marque's iron symbol to give it the same level of prominence as the Volvo mark.
The changes, which are the brand's most significant in 75 years, are intended to eradicate inconsistencies in the application of the Volvo identity across its models and communications.
The company also wants to make greater use of the iron symbol, which it claims is recognised as a good illustration of the strength and endurance of its vehicles.
The changes to the logo are subtle, with the iron mark now more curved and thicker bevelled edges. The shape of the arrow has also been changed slightly. The blue of the "Volvo" script is retained, but the silver used for the iron mark is now a softer matt shade in an attempt to give it a more luxurious feel.
The new look will be introduced across all the brand's promotional activity -- previously it had used only the word "Volvo".
The reworked logo will first appear on the C30 model, which is due to be launched at the Paris Motor Show in September, and international promotional material for the model. Volvo hopes the C30 will rid it of its traditional association as a safe choice of family car and make it appeal to a younger and broader audience.
The changes follow Volvo's decision to relaunch its customer magazine, which is produced by Redwood Publishing.
