May 2000: VOLVO has opened a $100 million state-of-the-art safety centre in Gothenburg, Sweden. The manufacturer claims the centre will allow it to conduct more realistic crash testing using the 'world's most advanced crash barrier'.

This will enable its engineers to develop lighter cars without compromising passenger safety. The centre also features a moving test track which allows for test crashes to be carried out from all angles and speed, and a computer crash simulator.