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The other un-seen difference between Volvo and American manufacturers, is the approach to building cars that is not readily obvious to anyone but
an engineer. To put it simply, Volvo actually wants to build a safe car, and in my opinion, actually cares if someone gets hurt. The American car
manufacturers are primarily driven by $$$. Point in case, look at some older Volvos and compare them to American cars of the same year. You will
find lap and shoulder belts, and head restraints, in all three rear seat locations appearing in Volvos many years before they show up in the American
cars. These safety features are critical to your survival in an accident, but since they do not have the high profile marketability that air bags do, the
American manufacturers have not adopted them because in my opinion they cost more to put in the cars than they give in return in making the cars
marketable. To harp on this a bit more, look at the rear head restraint in a Volvo, it is large and concave to cradle your head if you are hit from
behind. Now look at a head restraint in an American car, they almost always do not have a concave shape to cradle your head, and they are not tall
enough (tall enough is higher than your head) to properly support your head.
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