and male arrow symbol instead of + sign symbol for female.
But here is the ancient greek god Mars/War/iron connection
"Ancient logotype
At the same time as VOLVO was reactivated, the ancient chemical symbol for iron, a circle with an arrow pointing diagonally upwards to the right, was adopted as a logotype.
This is one of the oldest and most common ideograms in Western culture and originally stood for the planet Mars in the Roman Empire. Because it also symbolised the Roman god of warfare, Mars, and the masculine gender (as every bird-watcher can tell), an early relationship was established between the Mars symbol and the metal from which most weapons were made at the time, iron.
As such, the ideogram has long been the symbol of the iron industry, not least in Sweden. The iron badge on the car was supposed to take up this symbolism and create associations with the honoured traditions of the Swedish iron industry: steel and strength with properties such as safety, quality and durability. The new car also got its name VOLVO written in its own typeface, Egyptian.
Today, the iron logo also stands for a brand that radiates modern and exciting design and has a strong emotive connection with the customers."
https://www.media.volvocars.com/global/ ... eases/5109
from IPD :
silly, there is "Volva" too:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%B6lva
Amle/female Mars/Venus symbol
(think Saab had a better pedigree).
.