tiresandparts.net19VOLVO TO LIMIT TOP SPEED OF ALL ITS MODELS TO 112 MPHGENESIS G70 NAMED 2019 NORTH AMERICAN CAR OF THE YEARVolvo has announced that it will limit the top speed of its cars to 180 kph, or 112 mph. Speeding is one of the leading causes of accidents and Volvo is taking this step in order to convey a strong signal about the dangers of speeding. This measure will be implemented from 2020, and no Volvo cars made from that year will be able to go faster than 180 kph. This step is being implemented as part of Volvo’s Vision 2020, of which the stated goal is zero road deaths or severe injuries in a Volvo by 2020. There was no mention of Polestar models in the announcement.Commenting on the decision, Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive said that Volvo has always been and will always be a leader in safety. The company has performed a lot of research that has helped it to identify problem areas. Though the company does not feel that speed limitation is a cure-all, the presumption is that this is a step worth taking if it can help save even one life.Currently, Volvo’s flagship SUV, XC90 has a top speed of 131 mph. Samuelsson felt that the company would need to implement additional measures to address driver behavior in order to attain its Vision 2020 goal.The Genesis G70 was recently named as the 2019 North American Car of the Year. Genesis thus became the youngest brand to achieve this feat, thus joining the rank of many luxury and mainstream automotive brands.Commenting on the award, Manfred Fitzgerald, Executive Vice President and Global Head of the Genesis Brand said that the focus at Genesis was on making the brand and products perfectly match with its customers’ lifestyles, mindsets and desires. He said that the award attested to the excellence of the G70, which offers the perfect combination of luxury and sports-focused elegance. He went on to thank the North American Car of the Year jury. Lauren Fix, NACTOY President said that the Genesis G70 has proved to be a game changer for the sedan market. It is positioned as a sophisticated, impressive vehicle that provides consumers with an impressive driving experience, safety and technology at a reasonable price.The North American Car of the Year award is given every year to the model that achieves benchmark status with its combination of innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for money. The Genesis G70 was selected for the award by 54 jurors drawn from outlets in the United States and Canada.He mentioned in an interview to Reuters that Volvo has realized that it has to focus more on human factors in order to close the gap. Currently, Volvo’s passenger fatalities are well below the industry average and this was the case even before the Vision 2020 goal was announced in 2007.Besides implementing the speed cap, Volvo plans to develop and deploy technology which involves the use of cameras to keep tabs on the driver's state and attentiveness. This would prevent people from driving if they are distracted or intoxicated. These are the other two leading causes of accidents, according to Samuelsson said.Volvo is also exploring the possibility of using technology to limit lower speeds. Volvo's statement said: "Apart from limiting top speeds, the company is also investigating how a combination of smart speed control and geofencing technology could automatically limit speeds around schools and hospitals in future." Hence, to some extent if drivers fail to slow down in an area where it is required, the car would do their thinking for them and slow down.Volvo is hoping that the new step will attract new customers similar to the manner in which its roll-out of the three-point seat belts it pioneered in 1959 has now become widespread. The measure had initially been criticized but is now accepted as an industry standard and limiting the top speed could also prove to have similar results.The G70 is the first Genesis model in the entry luxury segment, which is a highly competitive segment. Compared to legacy luxury sport sedans, it offers outstanding performance and sets new benchmarks and expectations when it comes to luxury sport sedans. It offers consumers high levels of body strength, extraordinary performance refined luxury and aerodynamic design.
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