During World War II's early stages, Volvo decided that a new, smaller car that could deliver good fuel economy would assure the company's future.

A raw materials shortage during the war drove home the point that an automobile should be smaller, and also complicated Volvo's ability to mass-produce the product.

US models, beginning to appear in early 1956, received an up-rated version called the B14A, which was given twin side-draft 1½ in SU carburetors for a total of 70 hp.

[4] By the 1957 model year,[vague] engine displacement was increased to 1.6 L and both single downdraft- B16A and twin side-draught carburetted B16B versions were offered.

Subtle differences with the PV444 included the introduction of a curved one-piece windshield to replace the two panes of flat glass, larger taillights, and a ribbon-type speedometer.

The next significant change occurred in 1962, when the B16 was replaced by Volvo's new B18 engine, initially developed for the P1800 sports car introduced the previous year.