Volvo was founded on April 14, 1927, in Gothenburg, Sweden, by Assar Gabrielsson (a businessman) and Gustaf Larson (an engineer). The name Volvo comes from the Latin word for "I roll." The company's first car, the Volvo OV4, was produced in 1927.
Volvo expanded into commercial vehicles in the 1920s and 1930s, producing trucks and buses alongside passenger cars. The company became known for its engineering quality and safety focus, particularly in the Swedish market.
Volvo grew internationally through the mid-20th century, expanding its truck and bus operations across Europe and North America. The company acquired White Motor Corporation's truck operations in the United States in 1981, establishing a significant North American presence.
In 1981, Volvo acquired White Motor Corporation's truck division, which included the White, Autocar, and Western Star brands. This acquisition established Volvo as a major player in the North American truck market.
Volvo acquired Mack Trucks in 2001, one of the most iconic American truck brands. Mack had been founded in 1900 and was known for its heavy-duty trucks used in construction, refuse, and other demanding applications.
In 2001, Volvo also acquired Renault Trucks, the commercial vehicle division of Renault SA, for approximately 1.5 billion euros. This acquisition significantly expanded Volvo's European truck market presence.
In 1999, Volvo Group sold its passenger car division (Volvo Cars) to Ford Motor Company for approximately $6.45 billion. This strategic decision allowed Volvo Group to focus entirely on commercial vehicles, construction equipment, and industrial engines. Ford subsequently sold Volvo Cars to Geely Holding Group of China in 2010.
Volvo Group has invested heavily in electrification and sustainable transportation. The company launched its first electric truck, the Volvo FL Electric, in 2019, and has expanded its electric vehicle lineup significantly. Volvo Group has set a target to have 50% of its truck sales be electric by 2030.
For fiscal year 2024, Volvo Group reported revenue of approximately 553 billion SEK.