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CNN Live At Daybreak

Volvo Re-Enters SUV Market

Aired January 08, 2002 - 05:46   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Volvo is joining the ranks of auto makers with SUV models.

CNN's Jeff Flock checks out the new Volvo at the North American International Auto Show.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEFF FLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, you may have thought that everybody made an SUV. Well, at least until today it was everybody but Volvo. I want to show you what happened over in the arena, not too far from where we stand right now. A little earlier today, it was the unveiling of the Volvo XP90. Now Volvo in the SUV game. I'm with Mr. Gustafson, who is charge of safety for Volvo.

You said that you didn't care about being first, you just wanted to be best in some senses.

GUSTAFSON: Yeah, you know, we have a long tradition in safety at Volvo. And equally to develop a car like this, of course we would keep our leadership in safety.

FLOCK: Yeah, I want you to show me some of the features on this. So take me inside this car. In terms of the safety features, what have you got in here in terms of protection?

GUSTAFSON: One example is the inflatable curtain, which is activated inside impact, but in rollover as well, in order to protect the occupant of...

FLOCK: So it comes down from the ceiling, and even in the back seat, correct?

GUSTAFSON: In the back seat, yes.

FLOCK: Wow, that's a lot of air bags. Now another little feature, what's this little seat do? This is for kids, right?

GUSTAFSON: It's for kids.

FLOCK: Show me how it works.

GUSTAFSON: Children's safety is important, as for adults. And by adjusting this, you move the child -- children closer to the parents, which they find very comfortable and ....

FLOCK: So when you're on long trips they can interact a little more easily.

GUSTAFSON: Yeah. That's what we know children will do.

FLOCK: And if you don't want to interact, you've got some entertainment up there too.

(CROSS TALK)

Yeah, I know one thing, you may be the last in the SUV game, but in some sense you're the first because your CEO showed us a picture over there of an old vehicle to -- a yellow one, what was that?

GUSTAFSON: Military purpose.

FLOCK: You built that when? Back when, in the 40s, was it?

GUSTAFSON: Back in the 40s, yes.

FLOCK: Is that right?

GUSTAFSON: Yeah.

FLOCK: Well, OK. So instead of being the last in the game, in fact, Volvo was first in the SUV game. I'd like to get one of those Volvos. That is the latest from the North American International Auto Show in Detroit at this hour.

Jeff Flock reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: I wonder how much that thing costs. I bet it costs a lot.

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