Volvo Cars Philippines marked the birth anniversary of Swedish engineer Nils Bohlin, whose three-point seat belt changed automotive safety and became standard equipment in vehicles around the world.

Bohlin was born on 17 July 1920. He joined Volvo as a safety engineer and developed the modern three-point seat belt, which the carmaker introduced in 1959.

The design secured both the upper and lower body through a single buckle. It offered better protection than the lap belts commonly used at the time and remained easy enough for drivers and passengers to use every day.

Volvo later opened the patent to other vehicle manufacturers at no cost. The decision allowed rival brands to use the design rather than limit the invention to Volvo models. The seat belt has since helped save more than one million lives worldwide, according to the carmaker.

Bohlin’s work continues to influence the way Volvo develops its vehicles. Current models use driver-assistance features and reinforced body structures that aim to reduce crashes and lessen injuries when accidents happen.

“At Volvo, safety has never been a feature. It is the foundation of everything we do,” said Maria Fe Perez-Agudo, vice chairman, president and chief executive officer of Hariphil Asia Resources Inc., the official Volvo distributor in the Philippines.

Perez-Agudo said Bohlin’s invention also shaped the company’s approach to engineering across several generations. Volvo now follows a long-term plan that seeks to eliminate fatal crashes and serious injuries involving its new vehicles.

The anniversary also comes as Volvo Cars Philippines promotes a zero-interest financing offer through BPI. Buyers may visit the Volvo Cars Makati showroom to view models such as the XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid, XC60 T8 plug-in hybrid and the fully electric EX30.

Bohlin’s invention has lasted for more than six decades because it addressed a real problem without making vehicle use more difficult.

Drivers now buckle up almost without thinking about the person behind the design. That routine act remains one of the strongest signs of Bohlin’s contribution to road safety.