Volvo Cars has been honored with the 2025 Sandy Myhre Award by Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY), recognizing it as the automotive brand most dedicated to women. The award acknowledges Volvo’s ongoing efforts in promoting gender equality and empowering women in the industry.
Maria Fe Perez-Agudo, Vice Chairman, President, and CEO of HARI, Volvo’s official distributor in the Philippines, praised the brand’s commitment, stating, “Our vision and values reflect Volvo’s dedication to advancing the industry with women at the forefront.”
Named after New Zealand motoring journalist Sandy Myhre, who founded WWCOTY in 2009, the award celebrates automakers that demonstrate outstanding inclusivity in workplace policies, product design, and advertising. It is the only automotive award judged exclusively by women, with an all-female panel of 82 motoring journalists from 55 countries, reaching over 500 million people worldwide.
Volvo’s dedication to women’s representation and safety spans decades. Since 1995, the company has used real-world crash data to improve vehicle safety, pioneering the use of anatomically accurate female crash test dummies. In 2001, it developed the world’s first virtual pregnant crash test dummy, integrating it into safety simulations the following year. These innovations have significantly enhanced road safety for all occupants.
“Volvo Cars has been deeply committed to gender inclusion, both in terms of wages and professional growth,” said Swiss juror Isabelle Rieder. Marta Garcia of Spain added, “Volvo has long worked to connect with women, not only in safety but also by promoting their inclusion in the workplace.”
Swedish journalist Mia Litström highlighted Volvo’s initiatives beyond the automotive sector, citing its partnership with Girls Who Code, a program aimed at closing the gender gap in technology. The initiative encourages underrepresented groups to pursue careers in tech and innovation, reinforcing Volvo’s commitment to fostering the next generation of female leaders.
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