Volvo 2002 Annual Report Download - page 26

24/25
Managing values
Managing values
The corporate values of quality, safety
and environmental care are naturally
immersed in the daily operations of the
Volvo Group. Quality and environmental
management systems are used in all parts
of the organization as the means for
addressing responsibility and objectives
to those having real influence on the
actions. The group policies and a com-
mon network of auditors ensure that the
group guidelines and objectives are
addressed. During 2002 a number of
new environmental certificates were
received, including sites from the new
Group members.
Quality issues
In product development, all business areas
and business units now use a well struc-
tured process with quality gates and mile-
stones specifying the requirements that
have to be fulfilled before a project is
allowed to continue. Safety and environ-
mental requirements are also included in
the process.
The focus on product quality in the
development process as well as in the
interface with the customer has led to
improvements in customer satisfaction
measurements.
Safety development
One important safety requirement is high
product quality – the vehicles and
engines must function reliably, and as the
user expects. Other aspects of safety are
to prevent accidents from happening, and
when the accident is unavoidable, how to
minimize the injuries for the driver, the
passengers and people nearby.
A dedicated work to integrate the
Volvo safety features and concepts into
the newly acquired product lines at Volvo
CE demonstrates how a good workplace
with e.g. easy entrance and good visibility
for the operator adds to high safety.
A focused environmental agenda
During 2002, improved energy efficiency
and lower emissions were defined as the
focused environmental agenda for the
entire Volvo Group, and objectives for the
coming three-year period were developed.
Fuel efficiency is the main interest of all
our customers, with its direct link to the
operating costs of the business.
Improved total fuel efficiency is also the
most rewarding way to decrease carbon
dioxide (CO2) emissions.
At the same time to improve ambient
air quality, stricter and stricter emission
regulations put pressure on the engine
development, to decrease of mainly nitro-
gen oxides (NOx) and particle emissions.
Unfortunately, higher fuel efficiency nor-
mally means higher emissions of NOx, a
physical fact resulting from higher com-
bustion temperatures. This balance is the
challenge for all the Volvo Group busi-
ness areas.
The recent product launches demon-
strate how the stricter emission require-
ments have been met with highly competi-
tive fuel efficiency, like the US introduction
of the new VN trucks, meeting the EPA02
standards. In many cases also decreased
fuel consumption, e.g. Volvo Penta’s new
D12 engine, is combined with substan-
tially lower emissions. The key to the suc-
cess is a close collaboration between the
More information on the
Internet
As of 2001, Volvo does not publish a separate
environmental report. More detailed environmental
information can be found at www.volvo.com.
You will find:
Policy documents, brochures, environmental data
- products and production, emission legislation,
product safety examples and training material.
The Volvo positions and actions in some of the
current issues on environment and safety.
Available on internet:
0.16
0.14
0.12
0.10
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0.00012345678
Particles g/KWh
NOx g/KWh
US ´02 Euro 3
Current
Euro 4Euro 3
US 07-11
Euro 2
Emissions Standards for trucks and buses