The Change Mariner

Volvo Introduces 'Women's Car'

San Jose Mercury News"

More than a year ago, Volvo Car gave female employees a special project: Design the car they would like to drive.

The result -- a roomy, 215-horsepower coupe -- makes a statement about what women want. Simply put, they want more.

The workers demanded everything in a car that men want in terms of performance and styling, "plus a lot more that male car buyers have never thought to ask for,'' said Hans-Olov Olsson, Volvo's president and chief executive.

"We learned that if you meet women's expectations, you exceed those for men,'' he said.

The YCC concept (Your Concept Car) was shown publicly for the first time Tuesday during media preview days at the Geneva International Motor Show. It's not just powerful and sporty, but also easy to park, maintain and keep clean.

From the outset in December 2002, when Volvo's top executives approved the project, every aspect of the car's design and production has been overseen by women, a first in the automotive industry.