The Scandinavian luxury car brand, Volvo Cars, announced today that it has signed Chinese-American NBA (National Basketball Association) star, Jeremy Shu-How Lin, to a global brand endorsement contract, with focus on China, the United States, and Chinese-language markets in Asia. According to the cooperation agreement, over the next two years Jeremy Lin will participate in Volvo Cars corporate and marketing activities in his capacity as Volvo Cars Brand Ambassador. He will also appear in Volvo Cars advertising in these markets.
“Volvo Cars’ choice of Jeremy Lin as the company ambassador derives from our shared ethos of passion, dynamism and progressiveness,” said Mr. Freeman Shen, President of Volvo Cars China at the press conference. “This is a significant moment in the history of Volvo Cars’ brand rejuvenation, showcasing the new Volvo brand strategy Designed Around You with sportsmanship and intelligence. In this new era, Volvo Cars has set a vision of being the world’s most progressive and human luxury car brand, and we are determined to win the future. For our region, Jeremy Lin is the pride of the whole Chinese population, and we are excited to work with him.” “We believe Jeremy Lin’s character, intelligence, perseverance, and pursuit of excellence are perfectly in tune with Volvo car owners’ characteristics of appreciating smart understated luxury with a human touch,” added Mr. Richard Monturo, Vice President of Marketing, Volvo Cars Corporation, elaborating on the brand associations.
Jeremy Lin, the only NBA star with a Harvard degree, told the press conference, “It’s a great honor for me to be appointed as Volvo Cars Brand Ambassador today. You may not immediately see the connection between me and Volvo Cars. But both of us are striving to be better and smarter at what we do, and to do it our own way. I hope that my efforts will inspire more young people to follow their ambitions in sports and education, just like Volvo Cars is designing cars around people’s ambitions in life.”
Volvo Cars has organically integrated sports into its corporate and brand culture, with its joint sponsorship of the Volvo Ocean Race, and participation in winter sports, golf, and other sporting events. The Jeremy Lin endorsement is another milestone of Volvo Cars’ revival, and will duly help the company further enhance its brand image and business performance globally, especially in the strategically important markets of China and the United States.
In the Philippines, Volvo through its local distributor Viking Cars, Incorporated, has long acknowledged the values shared by the brand and the dynamism of basketball as early as 2007 when it signed on basketball star Chris Tiu. From the iconic pocket rocket Volvo C30 to the stylishly bold Volvo XC60, Tiu has continued his meteoric rise to be drafted in the Philippine national basketball team Gilas (meaning skill in Filipino), as well as be one of the country’s esteemed young television hosts and celebrity endorsers. Much like the Volvo he drives, his achievements are punctuated by his being impeccably styled, intelligently fascinating and giving off 100% dynamic performance in everything he does. “We’re really looking forward to welcoming Jeremy Lin into the Volvo team especially here in the Philippines where basketball is a major part of our culture and lifestyle,” says Loi de Guzman, Assistant Vice President for Marketing Services of Volvo Philippines.
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The All-New Ford Explorer has been reinvented, raising the bar on SUV safety by combining technologies to help avoid crashes with those that set new standards of protection in the event of one.
The comprehensive safety story of the All-New Ford Explorer adds new features including the world’s first inflatable second-row seat belts.
“The All-New Explorer 2.0L GTDi XLT combines – all at once – our best technologies to not only help prevent a crash, but to help prevent injuries to occupants when a crash is unavoidable,” said Vinay Piparsania, vice president for Marketing and Sales, Ford Group Philippines. “The use of high-strength steels such as boron in the Explorer body structure also offers a greater level of protection, while meeting the most stringent roof crush standards.”
Explorer showcases Ford’s commitment to safety by offering passengers an unprecedented array of active and passive safety technologies.
World’s first inflatable rear seat belts
The All-New Explorer 2.0L GTDi XLT offers a Ford technology unique in the automotive industry in the first-ever inflatable second-row seat belts. Rear seat passengers – often children or mature passengers – can be more vulnerable to head, chest and neck injuries, thus the advanced restraint system is designed to help reduce such injuries.
Advances in airbag inflation and seat belt construction methods have enabled Ford and its suppliers to develop inflatable seat belts that are designed to deploy over a vehicle occupant’s torso and shoulder in 40 milliseconds in the event of a crash.
“Ford’s rear inflatable seat belt technology will enhance safety for rear seat passengers of all ages, especially for young children who are more vulnerable in crashes,” said Piparsania. “This is another unique family technology that builds on our safety leadership, including the most top safety ratings of any automaker.”
Vehicle safety sensors determine the severity of the collision in the blink of an eye and deploy the inflatable belts’ airbags. Each belt’s tubular airbag inflates with cold compressed gas, which flows through a specially designed buckle from a cylinder housed below the seat.
In the event of a frontal or side crash, the inflatable belt’s increased diameter more effectively holds the occupant in the appropriate seating position, helping to reduce the risk of injury.
The inflated belt helps distribute crash force energy across five times more of the occupant’s torso than a traditional belt, which expands its range of protection and reduces risk of injury by diffusing crash pressure over a larger area, while providing additional support to the head and neck. After deployment, the belt remains inflated for several seconds before dispersing its air through the pores of the airbag.
Rear inflatable seat belts demonstrate Ford’s ongoing commitment to occupant safety. The Ford inflatable belts spread impact forces across five times more area than conventional seat belts. This reduces pressure on the chest while helping to control head and neck motion.
Belt comfort also should help increase usage rates. Studies show inflatable belts to be more comfortable for passengers due to padding.
Explorer reduces distraction, warns, intercedes
The Ford SYNC® hands-free, voice-activated integrated communications and entertainment system combines with MyFord Touch driver connect technology to keep drivers focused on driving with their eyes on the road and hands on the steering wheel.
The All-New Explorer also comes equipped with a host of technologies to help prevent crashes – from parking lot fender benders to high-speed collisions – by warning drivers of crash potential. These technologies include options such as:
- Collision warning with brake support
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Dynamic avoidance technologies include AdvanceTrac electronic stability control with RSC and the world’s first application of Curve Control, a new Ford feature designed to enhance vehicle braking in instances of excessive speed in turning or curve conditions.
Collision warning with brake support and Curve Control actually apply the brakes when these systems sense situation irregularity, helping the driver to avoid an incident by bringing the vehicle back in safe control.
Ford-exclusive MyKey allows parents to preset limits on vehicle speed and audio system volume levels. In addition, MyKey prevents deactivation of dynamic control systems such as AdvanceTrac and enables parents to set speed warnings. MyKey is a critical factor in minimization and prevention of young driver distraction and risk.
Ford’s Belt-Minder provides a persistent warning when drivers and front seat passengers fail to buckle seat belts.
Structural safety and crash protection
Explorer features a unibody configuration body structure. Nearly half of this stiff shell is comprised of high-strength steels, such as boron. A-pillars, rocker panels and front beams are boron, for both increased strength and reduced weight. In addition, this structure was designed and developed to exceed stringent rollover standards.
The initial component is the high-strength boron front beam that absorbs crash forces on impact. These forces then transfer to the shotgun rails, developed to divert impact to the A-pillars and the stiff roof structure. Shotgun rails constitute the second component within the Trinity structure. The third element is an engine cradle designed to break away and drop downward in the event of a frontal impact.
When a crash becomes unavoidable, Explorer relies on a class-leading complement of airbags to protect occupants. Two front and two side second-generation airbags are joined by a Safety Canopy consisting of side curtain airbags for all three rows of passenger seating. Personal Safety System™ seat belts feature pretensioners and an energy management system with adjustable height in the first row.
Outboard second-row seat locations include the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system for attaching child safety seats.
The All-New Ford Explorer 2.0L GTDi XLT with EcoBoost will be on display at the 2012 Manila International Auto Show on March 29 to April 1, 2012 at World Trade Center.
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Volvo Car Corporation's focus on connectivity technology also includes smart features for charging of electric vehicles. The company is one of the partners in the research project Electric Vehicle Intelligent Infra Structure (ELVIIS) that develops a smart on-board concept for controlling, measuring and paying for electricity when charging via any outlet.
ELVIIS is a consortium involving Volvo Car Corporation, Ericsson, the utility company Göteborg Energi and the Viktoria Institute. The innovative research project across several industries aims to bring mobile connectivity to electric cars - and to identify and remove barriers for using electrical vehicles in daily life. The concept works like this:
• The driver can choose to charge the battery pack via any ordinary power outlet.
• The outlet is identified via GPS.
• The driver pre-sets timing and charging amount on the touch screen or remotely via a smart phone or tablet.
• Using the mobile network, the car communicates with the grid and sets the charging scheme in order to support optimal utilization of the grid and most favorable energy price.
• Any unintended interruption of charging process is directly reported to the driver's mobile phone.
• The system directs the cost for each charge to the car owner's personal utility bill.
Electric drive without compromises
The Volvo C30 Electric has been used as a test car in the project. Equipped with an integrated 7-inch color touch screen, it makes the smooth charging concept available at the driver's fingertip. Five C30 Electric cars will now be used for testing and evaluating the technology during a year.
"Our basic view is that the owner of an electric vehicle shouldn't have to sacrifice any of the properties he or she expects from a luxury car," says Lennart Stegland, Vice President Electric Propulsion Systems, Volvo Car Corporation. "This smart technology for charging in any outlet, and paying automatically via your own electricity bill, is an excellent example of how we do everything to make the daily use easier for the customer." The concept is developed on a generic communication platform to make the technology globally applicable.
Totally in control, totally connected
The ELVIIS technology is fully in line with Volvo Car Corporation's development of Sensus technology, which makes the driver feel totally in control and totally connected.
"Sensus is the interface that promotes intuitive communication with the car, connecting it to the driver's digital world. We will continue to extend the offer of intelligent content that provides easy access to support, information and entertainment," says Lennart Stegland.
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Scandinavian luxury look and feel with class-leading safety and driving dynamics
Volvo Philippines shares the anticipation with Volvo Car Corporation as they reveal the much awaited All-New Volvo V40 at a press conference at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show on March 6 2012. The All-New V40 is ready to overtake the competition in the Premium Hatchback class with sharpened features and characteristics from larger Volvos wrapped in a sleek, compact package.
"The All-New V40 is the first new model that is fully developed according to our human-centric, Designed Around You strategy. Charged with an outstanding set of high-tech features it definitely will give our toughest competitors a headache," says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation.
The All-New Volvo V40 is a modern, expressive car with a Scandinavian luxury look and feel, a high-quality aura and meticulous attention to detail. The new, fully graphic instrument cluster with personalized layout and information enhances the intuitive and uncomplicated driver experience.
"Thanks to input from customers all over the world our most compact V-range model features an outstanding blend of design, safety and versatility. The car is loaded with features that buyers of modern luxury cars want," explains Stefan Jacoby.
Class-leading driving dynamics
The All-New V40 boasts class-leading driving dynamics thanks to focused attention to a number of vital areas. The chassis is designed to offer the agile, connected experience that creates true driving pleasure.
The engine range spans everything from Volvo Car Corporation's first diesel with carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of just 94g/km to the turbocharged T5 petrol engine with 254hp and acceleration from 0 to 100km/h in 6.7 seconds. All engine versions feature start-stop and brake energy regeneration, no matter whether they are fitted with a manual or automatic gearbox.
"The All-New V40 wraps you in a super-comfortable cockpit with outstanding ergonomics and technologies that make you feel informed, focused and relaxed. This driver-centric approach is what modern Volvos are all about," says Stefan Jacoby.
Outstanding safety and support package
• The All-New Volvo V40 features a class-leading safety and driver support package, including Volvo Car Corporation's groundbreaking Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake and several other new features.
• Among the new features are a world-first pedestrian airbag, Lane Keeping Aid with haptic auto steering, and an ingenious Park Assist Pilot that makes parallel parking easy.
• The City Safety low-speed collision avoidance system has been further developed and it now operates at speeds up to 50 km/h.
"The All-New V40 is the most intelligent and safe Volvo model so far. All its features are designed around the driver, helping him or her stay alert and well informed to avoid collisions and dangerous situations," says Håkan Abrahamsson, Vehicle Line Director C Cars & V40 Vehicle Programme Manager.
He adds:
"With this class-leading safety package, including enhanced focus on pedestrian protection, the all-new V40 aims for a full star rating in the new, sharpened 2012 Euro NCAP safety tests."
Sales target 90,000 units
Volvo Car Corporation expects to sell 90,000 units per year of the All-New Volvo V40. A massive 85 percent of the total volume will go to European customers. The car will be revealed at a press conference at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2012. Production of the All-New Volvo V40 starts in May 2012. The car will be built in Volvo Car Corporation's plant in Ghent, Belgium.
"The All-New V40 makes an instant impression with a dramatic design that stands out from the crowd. And what you see is what you get. The car boasts sharpened features and characteristics from larger Volvos - wrapped in a sleek, compact package. The car also has so many new features that it has an exceptional "density". It has pretty much everything," says Håkan Abrahamsson.
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