City Safety awarded
May 2008
Volvo Cars' new City Safety system which helps avoid or reduce the severity of low-speed collisions has won the
Technology category at the Fleet World Honours Awards 2008 in London.
City Safety is a world-first standard feature in the new Volvo XC60, which will be launched in New Zealand early in
2009.
At speeds of under 30 km/h, City Safety uses laser sensor technology to detect vehicles up to 10 metres in front of the
car's front bumper and reacts to vehicles in front that are either at a standstill or are moving slowly in the same
direction as the car itself.
If the gap between the cars continues to close and the driver remains inactive, the car applies the brakes
automatically.
City Safety's potential for reducing the risk of both personal injuries and car bodywork damage is significant and may
also cut insurance costs, as Volvo Car UK is currently involved in dialogue with insurance companies regarding lower
insurance premiums in UK for cars equipped with City Safety.
Commenting on the award, Chairman of Judges George Emmerson said: "Volvo's commitment to researching and developing
groundbreaking technologies has led to a number of safety milestones. City Safety is among the cleverest so far,
predicting when low-speed accidents will happen and preventing them from occurring. City Safety will offer fleets
financial, operational and social benefits that deserve recognition."
John Wallace, Volvo Car UK's corporate sales and leasing manager says, "With surveys indicating that 75% of all reported
collisions take place at speeds of under 30 km/h, and in 50% of these cases the driver has not braked at all before the
collision, it's easy to see the potential City Safety has in reducing incidents of this kind. As well as these safety
benefits it also offers significant operational improvements, which is good news for businesses, and I am delighted that
the judges have recognised this."
Notes to editors
1. The Fleet World Honours are presented annually to those motor manufacturers, service companies and individuals who
have, in the opinion of the judges, achieved the highest possible level of excellence in their sector.
ENDS