Setting A New Safety Standard

The 1970s saw the emergence of a new, breathtaking series of trucks that would set the trend of truck design for years to come: the Volvo F10/F12 (and the Globetrotter version).

In the '60s, Volvo had created a special business unit whose remit was to increase safety and improve ergonomics.

The most dramatic results of this were the F10/F12 trucks, which set completely new standards for ergonomics and safety. For example, the cab was mounted on the chassis with spiral suspension, creating a much softer environment for the driver, thereby eliminating much of the back pain. The new F trucks also had very large windows which meant improved vision, adding to the "active safety" (i.e. reducing the risks of an accident occurring).