Gesundheit! All Volvo models now allergy-friendly
Ursäkta! It's how you say "Excuse me!" in Swedish, though you might not be hearing it much anymore as Volvo has managed to get Oeko-Tex certification for all of its interior fabrics including the roof lining, floor mats, luggage compartment mats, upholstery, door panels, leather-trimmed steering wheels and seat belts. This means the entire Volvo line-up is now completely allergy friendly and won't make any of your friends break out in hives.
Seriously, this is why we love Volvo, which had embarked on a quest to reduce harmful pollutants from the inside of its cars a few years back. That "new car smell" so many covet is actually rather toxic and made up of Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs. Those are pretty nasty things, and the Swedish automaker has been working to eliminate them, and its new certified textiles only serve to improve the people-friendliness quotient of these stylish Swedish automobiles. And if it means a few extra sales to longtime allergy sufferers? Icing on the cake, as long as you're not allergic to icing or something.
[Source: Volvo]
PRESS RELEASE:
All textiles in all Volvo models Oeko-Tex certified to be allergy-friendly
Volvo Cars is the only manufacturer in the car industry with a complete model range featuring textiles that are so clean that they are certified according to the Oeko-Tex standard. The textile standard was introduced at the beginning of the 1990s by textile research institutes as a response to the needs of consumers and the general public for textiles which posed no risk to health.
The mid-nineties. A long day's test-drive of the Volvo S40 and V40 in snowy conditions is at an end.
Paul Welander, today Senior Vice President, Quality & Customer Satisfaction at Volvo Cars and at that time the father of young children, was thinking about his latest purchase of overalls for his daughters. That tag in the neck-band to confirm that the overalls were allergy-certified fascinated him.
"What if we had the same certification of upholstery in our cars - just imagine the sense of security our customers would have," said Paul Welander.
That thought would lead to far-reaching benefits for allergy-sufferers riding in Volvos.
The idea was well-received by the very top level at Volvo Cars. And when the Volvo S80 was launched in 1998, the car was Oeko-Tex certified.
Nowadays of course all Volvo models feature Oeko-Tex certified textiles. An immense relief to about 35 or 40 percent of the population of the western world. Because that is how many people suffer today from allergies or over-sensitivity of one sort or another.
Oeko-Tex Association is a partnership of 14 textile research and test institutes in Europe and Japan. A wide range of products are inspected and analysed.
All the textiles inside the passenger compartment are tested, such as the roof lining, floor mats, luggage compartment mats, upholstery, door panels, leather-trimmed steering wheels and seat belts.
"There is a list of more than 100 substances or emissions that are not to exceed a given level. For instance, the materials used may not leak heavy metals," explains Andreas Andersson who is in charge of passenger compartment cleanness at Volvo Cars.
The clean in-car environment of Volvo's cars has drawn the attention of a number of organisations. For instance, the Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association recommends four Volvo models as good purchases: the S80, V70, XC70 and the latest newcomer - the XC60.
"There are many people with various allergies today and over-sensitivity has increased drastically in recent years. Having a clean in-car environment is important. Personal health is important both to our customers and to us as a company," says Andreas Andersson.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Brent 4:36PM (11/26/2008)
I'm sorry, but I've never herd of someone being allergic to a new car.
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larry a 4:43PM (11/26/2008)
good job guys lol
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Red 4:57PM (11/26/2008)
That's actually pretty interesting. Volvo tends to think of the little things nobody else does. I'm assuming this also reduces emissions as well? Don't VOCs contribute to a vehicle's emissions?
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kevin 5:01PM (11/26/2008)
Considering the $$ and research that went into this, I think it would have been better spent upgrading the S60 and V70 R into something that competes with Germany's best.
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bill jackman 5:05PM (11/26/2008)
Now if they could just perfect the DSVS (Driver Seat Vacuum System) so when I fart, it doesn't ruin the new car experience for my passengers.
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mikemaj82 5:25PM (11/26/2008)
So does this mean all the cancer-causing chemicals that create the 'new car smell' will also be gone? That's what people should be worried about.
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JIm 5:56PM (11/26/2008)
A number of years ago Volvo did something which didn't make much sense at the time. Seemed weird then, but a pretty good idea now.
They coated the radiator (no idea with what) that cleaned the air passing over it in somewhat the same manner a converter cleans the exhaust.
Don't ever know what happened to the idea. Remember Volvo saying something along the lines of the air is cleaner after a Volvo passes by than it was before, including the exhaust.
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Swede 10:51AM (11/27/2008)
They were sued for that claim, that air was cleaner after it passed through the car, and so they stopped marketing the "thing" as heavily as they did. Still has it though.
Swede 9:32AM (11/28/2008)
JIm: I dont know how it works but what it does is "eat" street level ozone. Could be that they removed it from their lineup like you say.
jonathan 6:47PM (11/26/2008)
is this the end of new car smell as we know it?
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P.V. 7:25PM (11/26/2008)
I remember reading something about the Acura RDX having the safest new-car smell of any new car. I wonder if allergies in cars is related to that smell.
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Kitko 8:23PM (11/26/2008)
Some of you have probably no idea what it takes to live with an alergy - no feather, no down, no flowers, no honey or nuts, no bread, some plastics or metal or synthetic fabric. Bee sting can be fatal. Some people are allergic to certain antibiotics. Allergies usually combine and those that attack respiratory track usually combine with asthma - I'm lucky, it's just feather/down parkas and pillows/duvets and certain flowers I need to avoid.
While nothing can be made 100 allergens free, it's hats off to Volvo.
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gslippy 9:10PM (11/26/2008)
They may sell a few extra cars to people who care about allergens, but may also lose some sales to those who think the Volvo doesn't smell "fresh" enough.
Then they'll have to add artificial "new car smell", and an independent study will be performed indicating it may be toxic, although non-allergenic. :)
Their efforts seem somewhat moot to me since once you open the doors, the allergens will come flying inside and make their way into the interior materials, requiring constant cleaning for the stuff the cabin filter doesn't screen out.
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ugg.tryptophan 1:22AM (11/27/2008)
i dont like the "new car" smell, makes my nose itch, there are much better toxic smells that come from cars (exhaust fumes, & tire smoke are some)
JIm 12:36PM (11/27/2008)
Swede, Are you saying the coating is still on their radiators? What's it suppose to do, exactly? Any idea?
I only remember seeing the information once or twice and at the time think it was suppose to be an option. $300 sticks in my mind.
Wonder why they don't at least provide information in their sales info for marketing purposes, particularly in this day and green age.
Piotr 12:29PM (11/28/2008)
What about alergy to VOLVO ??
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AMcA 10:19PM (11/30/2008)
Sheer freakin' genius, kids.
Makes Volvo mean something. It's not just a gussied up Ford anymore. Seriously, little stuff like this does actually differentiate the brand.
And take it from me, just back from Portland, Oregon. There are a boat-load of people who worry about that kind of thing either directly or indirectly. They're going to eat that up, and they're going to notice Volvo again.
Sheer genius.
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