February 20^th, 2001

Concept Lab to offer direct contact with experts

Volvo Cars has chosen the 71^st Geneva International Motor Show to start a project that will give customers the world over direct contact with the very heart of Volvo.

Customers will be able to use the company’s new Internet website to submit questions and put their viewpoints on-line to the key persons behind today’s Volvo cars – and those that will emerge tomorrow from this intriguingly different slant on a `think tank’.

"I am really looking forward to participating in a direct dialogue with existing and potential new customers," says Hans-Olov Olsson, president of Volvo Cars.

Concept Lab Volvo is one concrete result of the company’s change of direction, "ReVolvolution", whose keywords are faster, better and smarter.

"A truly smart carmaker will not be satisfied with displaying and promoting its products on the Internet. With this project, we also aim to give our customers the possibility of playing an active and important role in our product development. Concept Lab Volvo is an ideal means of testing our ideas and of securing invaluable input early in the development of new models," explained Mr Olsson.

Detroit just a preview
Volvo offered a taste of things to come at the Detroit International Car Show in early January. Visitors to the show and Internet users the world over were able to offer their views on the two concept cars on the Volvo stand – the Volvo SCC (Safety Concept Car) and the Volvo ACC (Adventure Concept Car).

"So far, we have received more than 1000 filled-in questionnaires, and these customer views have been channelled straight to the two project groups," said Mr Olsson.

Now for the advanced version
Concept Lab Volvo is a far more advanced project, and will open at the same time as the Geneva Motor Show opens its doors to the world on 27 February 2001.

Some of the foremost Volvo Cars experts in the fields of safety, environment, design and driving experience will be available to answer questions on-line throughout the two press days.

"Our experts are primarily interested in questions and views relating to the concept cars that are on display at the show: the Volvo SCC, Volvo ACC and Volvo PCC (Performance Concept Car)," said Mr Olsson, "but they are naturally prepared to discuss and answer any questions at all relating to their special areas of competence."

The site will also feature detailed information about the philosophy that guided the evolution of the concept cars and the technology that they embrace.

Key persons listen – and answer
After the car show, the site will continue as an open channel for contact with key persons at Volvo Cars. This question-and-answer forum will remain open every Monday to Thursday between 4 pm and 6 pm CET (Central European Time) although visitors in other time zones can enter questions outside these times. The subjects for discussion will alternate between design, safety, the environment and driving experience.

Ten or so of Volvo Cars’ foremost experts in each respective area will take turns to answer questions and participate in discussions.

In addition to this set programme, certain other areas will receive special coverage, such as new concept studies and car-building in the future. Hans-Olov Olsson, President of Volvo Cars, is extremely keen to forge direct links with Volvo customers.

"It is vital to boost confidence and interest in our products and our brand image. One of the most crucial ways of doing this is to demonstrate actively that we have a keen ear attuned to the views of today’s and tomorrow’s customers. That is why it is only natural for me and my colleagues at the executive level to give our wholehearted – and active – support to Concept Lab Volvo," concludes Hans-Olov Olsson.