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Putting People First for Generations: How Volvo Has Made Safety Its Core, From the Amazon to the EX90

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Volvo Car South Africa reflects on a heritage of life-saving innovation as its next-generation electric flagship takes safety into the future.  

  • Volvo’s people-first philosophy has guided its safety innovations for decades, from the Amazon’s pioneering three-point seatbelt to today’s EX90 with advanced sensors and driver-assist systems.
  • The brand has consistently developed technologies that protect not only Volvo drivers but also everyone on the road, reflecting a commitment to safety and innovation.
  • In South Africa, Volvo’s legacy continues to resonate, combining modern, sustainable design with the same focus on care, protection, and reliability that has defined the brand for generations.

Volvo has always been synonymous with safety and engineering excellence, but its story is more than a record of innovations. It’s a reflection of a brand that has evolved alongside society. From the classic Volvo Amazon of the 1950s to the state-of-the-art EX90 of today, the essence of Volvo remains the same: people come first.

The Amazon, one of the most important cars in Volvo history, was built to last and designed with a focus on durability and safety. Before safety was taken as seriously as it is today, few automakers were concerned about crash protection and occupant safety. However, the Amazon would introduce a safety feature that, today, is estimated to have saved more than a million lives worldwide.

As the first car in the world to offer three-point seatbelts for front passengers, the Amazon cemented Volvo’s reputation as a manufacturer that put people and their safety at the heart of everything they do. Volvo chose not to patent the design, allowing other automakers to use it and making the roads safer for everyone—not just those driving a Volvo. This ethos has guided every Volvo since the automaker’s founding in 1927, with innovations conceived in Gothenburg shaping some of the most significant advances in road safety.

Between then and now, Volvo is credited with inventing the rear-facing child seat, the booster cushion, side-impact airbags, blind-spot information system (BLIS), pedestrian detection with full auto brake, and oncoming mitigation by braking, among many other life-saving features.

Today, that innovation continues to move Volvo cars forward, with the EX90 raising the bar even higher. Its safety systems are designed to understand both you and your surroundings, creating an invisible shield that protects everyone in traffic. Advanced sensors (including cameras, radars and LiDAR) work around the clock, detecting obstacles, monitoring driver attention, and supporting assisted driving functions like Pilot Assist, helping prevent accidents before they happen.

Inside and out, the EX90 continues the legacy that the Amazon started. Just as the Amazon introduced life-saving innovations like the three-point seatbelt to protect drivers and passengers, the EX90 now monitors driver attention, detects distraction or fatigue, and can intervene if necessary to bring the car to a safe stop. It learns and improves over time through software updates, proving that while technology has advanced, Volvo’s commitment to keeping people safe has remained constant.

“Volvo’s commitment has always been simple: put people first. From pioneering safety innovations in the Amazon to redefining what a modern electric car can do with the EX90, we have stayed true to that purpose,” said Grant Locke, Managing Director of Volvo Car South Africa. “In South Africa, where communities value care and looking out for each other, our responsibility is the same as it has always been—to protect lives, enable smarter mobility, and innovate without compromise.”

Beyond safety, the EX90 also shows how Volvo has evolved to meet the needs of modern drivers. Its fully electric powertrain provides a WLTP-estimated range of more than 600 km, while the intuitive and eco-friendly design makes it as smart and sustainable as it is protective. The EX90 combines elegance with functionality, reflecting a brand that continues to innovate while staying true to the values that have defined Volvo for decades.

From the Amazon to the EX90, Volvo’s story has always been about putting people first. The Amazon set the standard for safety, protecting generations of drivers and passengers. Today, the EX90 carries that same commitment forward with advanced technology, sustainability, and intuitive design. In South Africa, where community, care and resilience are deeply valued, Volvo’s focus on protecting people continues to resonate, showing that while times change, the brand’s purpose endures.

Two icons, one mission: Volvo’s commitment to protecting people has remained constant from the 1950s to today. Photo: Volvo Car South Africa/Peet Mocke

Video: Putting People First for Generations: How Volvo has Made Safety its core, From the Amazon to the EX90

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.