GOTEBORG, Sweden, April 9, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Volvo Technology Award 2003 of SEK 200,000 was presented at the Annual General Meeting on April 9 to the group at Volvo Trucks North America and Volvo IT that developed the "Volvo Link" telematics system.
Volvo Link combines satellite technology with the Internet for functions including navigation, traffic information, emergency assistance and two- way communications between trucks and their home bases, regardless of where a vehicle is situated in the world.
Volvo Link is cheaper to use than current mobile phone systems, as well as being less expensive for the customer to purchase. Compared with existing systems in the US, Volvo Link is one-third the price. The system is the first truly commercial telematics system from which even small and medium-sized trucking companies can derive substantial financial benefit.
Volvo Link can easily be adapted globally for other types of products. Volvo Penta uses parts of the system in the US where it is designated SeaKey(TM).
The group to which the prize was awarded comprises ten engineers from the companies Volvo Trucks North America and Volvo IT in Greensboro, North Carolina. The prize of SEK 20,000 each was presented in accordance with tradition by Volvo CEO Leif Johansson.
The Volvo Technology Award was initiated in 1988 to express appreciation for particularly prominent technological efforts within the Volvo Group, contributing to Volvo's technical profile and stimulating efforts that advance the Group's technical expertise.
April 9, 2003
For further information, contact Lars-Erik Larsson, Volvo Technology Corp +46 31-66 65 50, lars-erik.larsson@volvo.com
For images and graphics, contact Par Aronsson, +46 31-66 13 73 par.aronsson@volvo.com
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