Delivering world's firsts

Brave decisions, a focus on quality and a desire to remain at the technological forefront have made Autoliv a worldwide leader. Autoliv has been responsible for virtually all major technological breakthroughs within automotive safety for 70 years. It started with a seatbelt...

70 Years of Success - The Autoliv Way

2023
Bernoulli Airbag

2023

Autoliv unveiled a patented revolutionary new passenger airbag module that is based on Bernoulli's Principle and can inflate larger airbags more efficiently as well as reduce development time and cost.


2022

The airbag system for motorcycles is mounted on the vehicle frame and will deploy in milliseconds, for greater rider safety.

Airbag for powered two-wheelers
2022

2021
nuro airbag

2021

 

Autoliv and Nuro, a leading autonomous vehicle company, are collaborating to ensure a high safety standard for the delivery of Nuro’s new third-generation, production-grade autonomous vehicle.


Mikael Bratt

2018

 

Mikael Bratt assumes his position as President and CEO. He succeeds Jan Carlson, President and CEO between 2007 and 2018 and Chairman of Autoliv. 

2018

Spin-off of Veoneer completed. 

As of June 29, 2018, Autoliv completed the spin-off of its electronics segment. The new independent company, Veoneer Inc. begins regular way trading on the New York Stock Exchange and trading on Nasdaq Stockholm from July 2, 2018.

Top view

2017

2017

 

Autoliv and Volvo Cars form Zenuity, a jointly owned company to develop the next generation of autonomous driving software.

2017

2015

2015

 

Daimler introduces our first front-position, side-looking radar.This non-reversible safety measure fires before the crash.

2015

2012

2012

Volvo introduces our outside pedestrian protection airbag. This helps car manufacturers meet stricter 2014 Euro NCAP requirements.

Autoliv introduces the environmentally friendly airbag inflator APG, recognized with the PACE award.

2012

2010

2010

Swedish depository receipts (SDRs) begin trading on the Nasdaq Stockholm


2008

2008

 

Our second generation of Night Vision System, which warns the driver of pedestrians, is introduced by BMW.

2008

2007

2007

 

Jan Carlson assumes his position as President and CEO. He succeeds Lars Westerberg, CEO between 1999 and 2007, and thereafter Chairman from 2007 to 2011.

2007

2006

2006

 

The active seatbelt is introduced. As a precaution, this reversible seatbelt tightens the belt immediately before a very likely crash.

Autoliv presents Safety Vent Airbag, a solution for low-risk deployment of the passenger airbag, protecting children and occupants in out-of-position situations.

2006

2005

2005

2005

Jaguar introduces our hood lifter that protects pedestrians. It creates clearance between the hood and the hard engine block underneath when the pedestrian’s head hits the vehicle hood.


2000´s

Several acquisitions and joint ventures during the 2000’s

2000 - Steering wheel company Izumi in Japan, North American seatbelt operations of the Japanese NSK, and 40% of NSK’s Asian seatbelt business. Inflator production is started in Japan.
Acquisition of OEA, a leading supplier of initiators for airbag inflators and Autoliv’s main external supplier of such squibs.​
2001 - Joint venture Autoliv Mando Corporation, Korea.
2002 - Visteon Restraint Electronics is acquired and China’s first airbag plant is opened.
2003 - Steering wheel assets of the Japanese Nippon Steering Industries (NSI), and the remaining 17% of the shares in Livbag, Europe’s leading manufacturer of inflators and initiators for airbags.
2004 - Remaining 40% of the shares in Autoliv (Shanghai) Vehicle Safety Systems, China, and a webbing plant for seatbelts opens in Romania. ​
2007 - Remaining shares in joint ventures in Korea, India and Northern China.
2008 - Tyco’s radar business.
2009/2010 - Delphi’s occupant-restraint businesses in Asia, North America and Europe.

2000´s

1998
1998

1998

Invented to protect the occupants’ heads in a side-impact collision, our inflatable curtain side airbag which covers the upper side of the vehicle, is introduced by Mercedes and Volvo.

Several acquisitions are executed: remaining 50% interests in Autoliv-Nokia and Sagem-Autoliv, joint ventures that produce airbag electronics. Acquisition of most of the assets of Sensor Technologies, a Japanese airbag and airbag sensor manufacturer. Production of steering wheels begins in the U.S.


1997

Autoliv Inc is formed through a merger of Autoliv AB, Europe's leading automotive safety company, and Morton ASP, the leading airbag manufacturer in North America and Asia. Morton ASP started airbag production in 1980.

Autoliv Inc´s common stock begins trading on the New York Stock Excange.

Acquisition of world-leading seatbelt webbing producer Marling Industries plc and its subsidiary Van Oerle Alberton.

1997
1997

1995
1995

1995

Our new airbag that reduces knee injuries is introduced by KIA.


1994

When Electrolux sells its shares in Autoliv through a public offering, the shares are listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. The company name is changed to Autoliv AB.

In 1994, Volvo introduces our new side airbag that reduces thorax injuries in side-impact collisions.

1994
1994

1990´s

1990´s

 

The beginning of the 1990s is a period of acquisitions and joint ventures.

1991 - Joint ventures in India, Mexico and South Africa
1992 - Autoflug Fahrszeugtechnik in Germany and a joint venture in Taiwan, China
1993 - Joint venture in Turkey

1990

1989

1989

Pretensioner - Volvo introduces our innovation that tightens the seatbelt mechanically at the onset of a crash.

1989

1980

1980

Autoliv becomes a subsidiary within Electrolux when the white goods manufacturing group acquires Gränges AB, an industrial conglomerate and owner of ​Gränges Weda. In 1984 the Company’s name is changed to Electrolux Autoliv AB.

The 1980s is a period of acquisitions and joint ventures:

1983 - 49% of BKI in Spain
1985 - Klippan (with operations in France, Germany, Italy and Spain)
1986 - Hartwalls in Finland
1987 - Akta and Cipro in Sweden and a joint venture in Japan
1988 - Britax-Kolb (with operations in Australia, Germany and the U.K.) and Cooldrive in Australia
1989 - Joint ventures in the U.S. and China

1980

1979

1979

Evert Larsson Industri AB, a Swedish seatbelt manufacturer for Volvo, is acquired.

1979

1975

1975

Autoliv is acquired by Gränges Weda AB, which developed the Essem seatbelt retractor in 1967. 

1975

1968

1968

The company’s name is changed to Autoliv AB.

1968

1959

1959

 

The first subsidiary (Gebrüder Lindblad) is established in Germany.

1959

1956

1956

 

The founder Lennart Lindblad develops the company’s first seatbelt, a two-point static belt.

1956

1953

1953

 

The company is founded by Lennart Lindblad under the name Lindblads Autoservice AB. After 25 years, Lennart Lindblad leaves the company in 1977.

1953