The legacy of the iconic Volvo 240 as the best-selling Volvo car in history has officially come to an end.

This is because that title has now been claimed by the Volvo XC60, with over 2.7 million units sold worldwide since its introduction in 2008.

Initially produced for the European market, this mid-size SUV became Volvo’s first global model to be assembled in China.

It was also named World Car of the Year in 2018.

When the Volvo 240 was launched in 1974, it set new safety standards, including a body design capable of absorbing frontal and rear impacts.

It was also among the first to introduce side impact protection, which later evolved into the Side Impact Protection System (SIPS).

In 1978, Volvo introduced the innovative child booster cushion.

The legacy of safety in cars continues with the XC60, which features various advanced technologies, such as the City Safety automatic braking system that can prevent or reduce collisions at speeds of up to 30 km/h.

In 2017, the XC60 became the first car in the world to introduce the Oncoming Lane Mitigation system, designed to avoid collisions with oncoming traffic.

According to Susanne Hägglund, Head of Global Offering at Volvo Cars, “Growing up in Sweden in the 1980s, the Volvo 240 was the iconic family car – almost every household had one.

“Today, the XC60 carries on that role – not just as a family option, but also as the most successful model in our history.”