Summary

In celebration of Malaysia’s independence and national day, Volvo presents Makers of Tomorrow: an exhibition featuring Volvo cars in classic silhouettes of yesteryear to its ground-breaking pure electric and hybrid cars today — all proudly manufactured in Malaysia over the past six decades.

By bringing together the past and present, this exhibition on display commemorates Volvo’s 57 years of growing together with generations of Malaysians as it celebrates its 96th global anniversary this year.

Volvo’s Heritage in Malaysian History

Back in the 1960s, when our country was barely a decade into independence, Volvo was amongst the first automotive manufacturers to answer Malaysia’s call for foreign investment. This resulted in Volvo Cars setting up its first assembly plant in Shah Alam, which is still in operation today.

The Shah Alam plant was inaugurated in 1966, making it Malaysia’s first automotive assembly plant. It is also Volvo’s first assembly plant outside of Sweden.

A year later, the first Volvo 144 assembled in Malaysia rolled off the assembly line and was ready to hit the road.

Volvo and Safety Innovation

Safety, sustainability, and innovations are at the heart of what Volvo does. Since 1927, Volvo have been designing cars that put people first, and it is continuously improving safety for people and the environment.

Three-point safety Belt

Volvo invented the three-point safety belt in 1959 and waived the patent rights so everybody could benefit. To date, it’s estimated that over one million lives have been saved by the three-point safety belt.

First made-in-Malaysia Volvo

Volvo invented the three-point safety belt in 1959 and waived the patent rights so everybody could benefit. To date, it’s estimated that over one million lives have been saved by the three-point safety belt.

In 1967, the Volvo 144 became the first Volvo to be assembled at a plant outside of Sweden, and this huge milestone marked the time when Malaysian drivers benefited from greater accessibility to Swedish style and safety.

Enhanced safety with BLIS

A world-first in passenger cars, the BLIS (Blind Spot Information System), which was introduced in 2003, is a breakthrough safety technology in the automotive world and now a common safety feature for passenger cars.

First locally-made EV in Malaysia

Volvo’s commitment to safety and the environment is stronger than ever. It is the first luxury brand to introduce locally assembled electric vehicles in Malaysia: plug-in hybrids from 2016, and fully-electric vehicles from 2022.

Volvo and Malaysia Today

Having been present in the nation and in the hearts of Malaysians since the 1960s, Volvo is committed to grow alongside Malaysia and embark on a continuous journey to uphold a long tradition of safety and sustainability.

Today, its local plant in Malaysia assembles thousands of cars annually while employing generations of local talent, making it possible for the nation and its people to reap benefits through various job and economic opportunities as well as technology transfers. The brand presence has also grown the nation through our wider ecosystem of dealerships, technicians, after-sales products and services, and related industries.

Malaysia is a regional export hub for the ASEAN region and serves markets such as Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam. Volvo Car Malaysia are proud to be the first automotive brand to export all-electric vehicles from Malaysia to other markets.As a car maker, Volvo is excited to empower Malaysia to embrace an electrified future by offering 100% of its new models as pure electric vehicles by 2030. Volvo has an ambitious goal to be a climate-neutral company by 2040.

Participants of the Volvo Car Malaysia Makers of Tomorrow joyride.

Charles Frump, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia, Kim Seng Moo, Head Of Commercial Operations of Volvo Car Malaysia and Bharat Sirohi, Head of Online Direct Sales of Volvo Car Malaysia flagging off the Makers of Tomorrow Joyride featuring the Volvo 122S Amazon Estate.

Charles Frump, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia, Kim Seng Moo, Head Of Commercial Operations of Volvo Car Malaysia and Bharat Sirohi, Head of Online Direct Sales of Volvo Car Malaysia flagging off the Makers of Tomorrow Joyride featuring the Volvo XC60 Recharge.

A row of current and past Volvo cars.

The Makers of Tomorrow Exhibition in Bangsar Shopping Centre.

Display of the Volvo 122S Amazon at the Makers of Tomorrow Exhibition in Bangsar Shopping Centre.

The Makers of Tomorrow joyride featuring the Volvo P1800.

The Makers of Tomorrow joyride featuring the Volvo P1800.

The Makers of Tomorrow joyride featuring the Volvo S60 Recharge.

The Makers of Tomorrow Exhibition in Bangsar Shopping Centre.

Display of the Volvo 144 at the Makers of Tomorrow Exhibition in Bangsar Shopping Centre.

The Makers of Tomorrow joyride featuring the Volvo 122 Amazon.

A row of Volvo classic cars.