Last year, more than 67000 visitors found their way to the Volvo Museum in Arendal, just outside of Gothenburg, Sweden. That is a 22 percent increase compared to 2010. ”One reason behind the new record is that we are drawing a large number of cruise ship passengers. We have also created more attractions”, says Head of the museum Sten-Åke Lyngstam.
Many of the cruise ships that arrive in Gothenburg are too big to anchor at the very heart of the waterfront city. Instead, they have been given a dock some 50 meters from the museum. A tour through the Volvo history has become the first stop for many of the predominantly American, British and German tourists who arrive by sea to discover Gothenburg. ”We are also visited by a growing number of tourists from China, travelling on their own. The Volvo brand is well known in China”, says Sten-Åke Lyngstam.
This year has seen the premiere of the Volvo Ocean Race/Volvo Golf Experience exhibition, where visitors can challenge each other in setting sails like on the impressive Volvo Open 70 class race yachts, or sharpen their putting skills on the golf green. In addition, the museum staff has custom built a Volvo V50 especially for kids. With doors and pedals removed and fitted with two steering wheels, the car is designed for play.
The Volvo Museum has also expanded its conference facilities in order to meet a growing demand.
2012 marks the anniversary of several Volvo classics. The Volvo F16 truck turns 25, and the Volvo 760 and the Volvo Amazon station wagon have been around for 30- and 50 years respectively, which will be celebrated with specific showcases. This year, the Volvo Museum Day will take place on 5 May. Visitors will be treated to live music and given the opportunity to watch as the 90 heavy trucks that take part in the veteran rally “Tunga Rallyt Väst” cross the finish line.
Volvo Museum showcases the history of Volvo and its development from 1927 until today. The museum exhibits products from the whole Volvo range, including cars, trucks, buses, construction equipment, marine engines and aero. Volvo Museum is operated jointly by the Volvo Group and Volvo Car Corporation.