Volvo is one of the world’s most well-known and respected car brands. Since 1927, Volvo Car Group has been a world leader in safety technology and innovation. The company’s driving principle behind its operations is safety – for people inside and outside their vehicles and the world around them.
Similarly, Volvo’s commitment to the environment dates back to the 1940s. Sustainability is fundamental to how Volvo Cars do business. This ambition has always been to lead by example; today, it is stronger than ever.
Volvo as a Firestarter in Sustainable Mobility
Volvo Cars was the first established carmaker to commit to all-out electrification in 2017. As a result, the premium carmaker has been recognized by the United Nations (UN) and other global environmental non-profit groups for its ground-breaking electrification strategy. The UN announcement was a watershed moment in the industry, and Volvo Cars’ example has been followed since by other carmakers who have made similar announcements.
Volvo is also a founding member of the UN Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative. The UN also recognizes the Swedish car company as a LEAD member, a group of the most committed, engaged, and ambitious companies within the Global Compact. A founding member of the Global Compact, Volvo Cars is one of only 44 LEAD companies out of 9,500 members – and one of only two car makers.
Even before sustainability became trendy in the automotive sphere, Volvo was already at the forefront, leading the pack in its efforts to curb its carbon footprint. Recognizing that cars are part of the ecological problem, Volvo, very early on, owned up to its responsibility and started its journey to becoming climate neutral.
“We recognize that we, as a mobility provider, are part of the climate change problem. However, we at Volvo also know that we can do our share and be part of the solution,” shares Volvo Philippines President and CEO Atty. Alberto B. Arcilla.
Consistently Committed
Volvo Cars is adapting to this reality by making sustainable business an integral part of its corporate strategy. As part of its sustainability program, the company has identified nine commitments directly supporting the UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) agreed upon by all UN member states in 2015.
Volvo Cars believe these commitments will contribute to its sustainable profitability and growth. For example, it has committed to having up to 1 million electrified Volvos on the road by 2025. It also aims to have climate-neutral manufacturing operations that same year. It has also stated the most ambitious safety vision in the industry, that by 2020, no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo.
Volvo has come a long way since its bold declaration about its sustainability. As part of its strategy, Volvo Cars has launched fully electric vehicles since then. It jumpstarted its plan by making all its models available in an electrified version. In the Philippines, it was the first car brand to launch Plug-in Hybrid variants. Volvo PH also received the Smart and Safer Mobility Award at the first-ever Europa Awards in 2021. Organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), this award recognized the local dealer’s efforts to educate the market about the impact and benefits of electrification thru its sustainability forums titled Volvo Fika Talks.
Pandemic notwithstanding, Volvo globally launched its first electric vehicle, the XC40 Recharge. In 2021, the company introduced the C40, the first Volvo designed as pure electric only. Locally, Volvo Philippines supported this global effort with a range of boost hybrids introduced in the Volvo XC40, XC60, XC90, and S90 models last year, making it the first luxury car brand in the country to transition to an all-electrified offer. The new, fully electric EX90 launched at the tail-end of 2022 also signaled a new era for Volvo Cars. This year, Volvo Philippines is set to introduce two pure electric vehicles to boost its electrified line-up further.
“It is good that the automotive industry is following Volvo’s lead in making significant steps to address current mobility concerns. Volvo Cars is acknowledged for our industry-leading commitment to an electric future. In line with this, locally, we will once again move the brand forward towards its vision by introducing two pure electric vehicles in the second half of 2023,” adds Atty. Arcilla.
Rolling and Charging Forward
The automotive landscape is changing, and Volvo Cars is leading the pack. With a zeal energized by its drive to provide people the freedom to move in a personal, sustainable, and safe way, Volvo realizes its mission to make life easier, better, and safer for everyone.
