The Volvo PV544 became the first production car fitted with a three-point safety belt as standard equipment in 1959.
Volvo engineer Nils Bohlin developed the modern three-point belt, which combines a lap belt with a diagonal shoulder strap. Volvo introduced the design in the PV544 and Volvo Amazon, positioning the belt to restrain the upper body while remaining practical to fasten.
Volvo made the patent available to other manufacturers, a decision intended to spread the safety benefit throughout the automobile industry. The belt became one of the most important passive-safety devices ever adopted in cars.
The PV544 was an updated version of Volvo’s PV series, with a two-piece windshield and a more modern interior than the earlier PV model. The key milestone was not merely a seat belt, but the three-point arrangement used widely today.