Even if he did see a Volvo, Volvo has only used plastic lenses on one model, and that has not even been two years. Volvo has specifically fought Ford about using Plastic headlights. They do not like the reliability of the lenses as they scratch easily, and also the lighting performance is diminished. When I worked there we were always telling the engineers customers wanted HID headlamps, and clear plastic lenses as they looked better. And the Swedes spit up and down about what a stupid idea it was. I forget the term but Stern probably knows it ( but the Engineers said that glbutt lenses with the patterns formed in them provided a better visibilty beam then using clear lenses and HIDS or reflectors for clear lenses. The engineers did not like the added weight of the headlamps, but said they were better for Volvo's because of the safety factor. Volvo also had an extensive study on Hid's and showed us the video's and pictures of hids in the snow, and on dark forest roads. And by far the conventional bulb was far superior to HIDS. the video and pictures showed how hids cut off the lighting on hills and corners far more then with conventional lighting. I think I still have the binder on ligting from Volvo around somewere.
Given that, HIDS are optional with Volvo's today!
