Volvo has released details and images for a new concept vehicle previewing its next-generation S60 saloon due in 2010. The concept car will make its world debut next month at the Detroit Auto Show and reveals the latest evolution of Volvo's current design theme.

Volvo Australia is offering more standard equipment on its range of 2009 models in order to boost sales and homogenise the range, including new safety systems to help Volvo maintain its safety conscious image. 

The European Union has taken the first major steps to establishing a next-generation vehicle-to-vehicle communications system by passing a motion today to reserve an EU-wide frequency band for vehicle applications. With a targeted goal of reducing road accidents, the motion aims at enabling co-operative systems between carmakers and is expected to lead to an eventual roll-out of the first production examples shortly after 2010.

Volvo has a well-established reputation of building the safest passenger vehicles in the industry but the carmaker believes it can improve on its own standards by reaching the ultimate goal of avoiding car accidents all together and reducing the road death toll to zero. Volvo has now set itself the ambitious target of zero injuries or deaths in its vehicles by 2020.

As Ford’s market share in the U.S. continues to dwindle – dropping to a new low of 13 percent this month – its CEO Alan Mulally is looking at further ways to cut costs and right now it appears nothing is sacred. Talk of a sale of Volvo is now circulating, despite Ford’s assurances earlier this year that the brand would not be placed on the auction block.