Comments on: Car as phallic symbol?

By: Tomb Raider

Tomb Raider — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 20:31:46 +0000

Yes, I find it rather sexist that Volvo would use that symbol on its adverts. I think it puts off the wrong message and let’s face it, nonverbal communication carries far more impact than verbal communication; symbols qualify as non-verbal. And yes, I am a female.

By: boss hogg

boss hogg — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 03:17:47 +0000

sometimes a symbol for men is just a symbol for men

By: *** Dave

*** Dave — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 19:29:16 +0000

“Sometimes a symbol for iron is just a symbol for iron.” — Sigmund Volvo

By: Terry

Terry — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 17:54:53 +0000

Thanks to everyone who’s provided info on how old the logo is. The commentary I read online was all mentioning it in the last 2 years.

I do wonder at it’s prominence now, though, when the company seems to be trying to change its image.

By: Mother of Heroes

Mother of Heroes — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 17:15:22 +0000

That Volvo logo isn’t new. A quick scan through the history of the Volvo group on their site revealed it as early as 1948, which is … umm … before I was born. Maybe earlier, but my eyes aren’t good enough to tell.
http://www.volvo.com/group/global/en-gb/Volvo+Group/history/

In the 1930s, when they were still the Penta Group or Penta Volvo, they used an inverted pentagram. Hmmmm …

By: Have Coffee Will Write » MY COMMENTS…

Have Coffee Will Write » MY COMMENTS… — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 12:10:52 +0000

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By: Jeff Hess

Jeff Hess — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 12:08:56 +0000

Shalom Terry,

Now I’m really interested to know when Volvo first used the symbol. And I wonder how much Volvo’s reputation as the ultimate Yuppie Momobile plays into this.

B’shalom,

Jeff

By: CGHill

CGHill — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 02:01:45 +0000

This isn’t a “new” logo: Volvo has been using it for decades now. (I’ve seen it on PV544s, which date back to the 1950s.) Wikipedia has a drawing of a 1927 (!) grille in which it’s a design element.

And I suspect your average guy at the dealership has no idea what either of these symbols means.