We all know Volvo is serious about safety, with an ambitious goal that no one should be seriously injured or killed in a new Volvo. And they’re not all talk and no show either – starting from last year, all new Volvo cars will come with a controversial 180 km/h speed limit.
In yet another example of their commitment to car safety, Volvo has now become the first carmaker to achieve the highest Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+) rating across all of its models in the American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) safety evaluations, known to be one of the toughest in the world.
The monumental accomplishment was achieved last month when the Volvo XC40 Recharge EV was given the TSP+ rating. Volvo has already been awarded 15 said ratings in 2021 award, which makes it the most single-year TSP+ awards earned by any carmaker since the honours began in 2013.
“Regardless of body style, engine or trim, every Volvo offers innovative protection in a crash,” said Volvo Car USA President and CEO, Anders Gustafsson. “We are proud that IIHS has recognised this by awarding a Top Safety Pick Plus to every vehicle we produce today. No other company has been awarded this honour across all car lines.”
A large part of that achievement comes down to the fact that its advanced driver assistance systems are standard equipment on every trim level on every model they sell. Granted that their cars are on the premium side of the spectrum, sure, but it’s still a commendable effort – the same can’t be said for every premium carmaker out there.
And that’s in addition to the fact that Volvos are made with some of the hardest steel found in modern cars, plus years of safety engineering know-how.
I guess all of those expensive simulators, the daily crash tests (for the past 20 years!), the 30-metre crane drop tests, and even the barrage of hate mail they received after the 180 km/h speed limit mandate, they’re all worth it now. Volvo is truly putting the money where their mouth is.
