William Maley
Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com
November 13, 2013
Volvo has been seeing its sales double around the world except in one market; the U.S. The Swedish automaker has seen sales in the U.S. tumbling down during the past decade. In 2004, Volvo moved 139,000 vehicles. For this year, the automaker is projecting that they will only sell 60,000 vehicles.
Volvo wants to change that and has announced a new plan that will hopefully reverse this trend. CEO Hakan Samuelsson told dealers the plan for the new Volvo will be an attractive “Scandinavian” design, leadership in safety and environmental issues, and state-of-the-art infotainment systems that feature "clever functionality.”
"We are definitely not even thinking of reducing our presence in the U.S. Volvo would not be Volvo without the U.S," said Samuelsson.
Nearly all aspects of Volvo's U.S. business will be seeing major changes. To start, Volvo is in the process of finding a new ad agency who will be tasked to create a new global campaign and use social media in creative ways. The company will also focus on lease promotions to help boost volume. At the moment, Volvo's lease volume stands at 35 percent.
Down the line, Volvo is hard at work with a new powertrain lineup that will comprise of three and four-cylinder engines that will be naturally-aspirated and turbocharged. In addition, Volvo is creating hybrid powertrains that will use electric rear axles.
Also coming soon will be a number of new models including the V60 wagon and XC90 crossover.
When asked by reporters if Volvo has a set sales goal, executives wouldn't commit to anything higher than 100,000 vehicles in the next three years,
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)
William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at william.maley@cheersandgears.com or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.
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