What does Volvo Cars sound like?

Sound is a powerful thing. Not only does it have the capacity to trigger vivid memories and bring relaxation, but it can also deeply resonate with our emotions. With sound, we can create and maintain just the kind of strong emotional relations we want – both with our dedicated employees and valued customers. In a nutshell, sound can play a vital role in our quest to form deep connections.

Joining forces with Swedish sound designer Martin Åberg, we set out to document all kinds of everyday sounds that define Volvo Cars’ Gothenburg headquarters. From the hands-on sounds of blinkers, horns, and seatbelt clicks in our cars to more ambient sounds, such as chatter from the restaurants, factory machinery noises, and the reverb in meeting venues.

“I was thrilled by the idea of collaborating on an audio-focused project with Volvo Cars,” says Martin Åberg. “As someone with a keen interest in creating ambience sounds, visiting Volvo's facilities in Torslanda and immersing myself in their soundscape was a real privilege.”

Music for your ears

This project is an opportunity for customers, as well as current and future employees, to get a glimpse of what life at Volvo Cars can be like through audio, and perhaps see us as more than just a car maker. But we also hope to boost brand awareness among a new audience of creatives.

Therefore, we're making all the sounds available as part of a royalty-free soundboard created by the music software company Klevgränd. All the sounds can be downloaded and used by anyone who wants to create their own music, podcasts and videos.

“We want to be seen as an employer of choice by adopting innovative and distinctive approaches,” says Lela Amparo, who’s been leading the project from Volvo Cars’ side. “It's truly an extension of who we are, a reflection of our nearly century-old DNA in sound.”

But before we provide you with all the details about the soundboard, let’s take a closer look at the process of collecting all the Volvo Cars sounds.

Catching the sounds of Volvo

On a sunny autumn day, Martin Åberg, who normally dedicates his time to composing music and working on sound design for commercials, films and video games, took a stroll around the Torslanda area with microphones and headphones.

After a visit to an office and a bustling cafeteria where employees from around the world had their lunch, he moved on to the Volvo Museum, where visitors can take a trip through our history and heritage. Among all the cars Martin got close to, one in particular stood out for him: a red Volvo 242DL from 1973.

“This car has most of the things I find fascinating when it comes to sound: antennas, cassette players, cushioned seats, and knobs with a specific sound that modern cars don't have," Martin exclaims. "Also, the distinct sound of a firmly pulled handbrake in an old Volvo is widely associated with the car being safely parked. It's a cool contrast to the futuristic sound in the new Volvo EX30, where you only hear a gentle hydraulic tone.”

When Martin is done for the day, he's more than confident that he has managed to capture the sound of Volvo Cars.

“At Volvo Cars’ Gothenburg headquarters, there's a noticeable international influence," he says. "People speak English with different accents, and Swedish is spoken in many different ways. It's a dynamic workplace, both in terms of people and the machinery. The presence of the sea and nature also contributes to this. For those who are sensitive to sound, this workplace can provide a sense of calm."

Tune in and turn up the volume

The soundboard features 146 different sounds for you to play around with, and of course, it’s 100 per cent free.

For the best soundboard experience, use your desktop computer with speakers or headphones.

You can find the soundboard here. Enjoy the sounds of Volvo Cars!