Volvo plans onslaught of new models after XC90

Last week, we carried a report on the recent introduction of the new Volvo XC90 sport utility vehicle (SUV) after the introduction of the first model 12 years ago. The sport-utility vehicle, scheduled to reach global showrooms in April next year, is the first all-new car under Zhejiang Geely Holdings ownership, after the Chinese carmaker bought Volvo Cars four years ago from Ford.

On the sidelines of the XC90’s launch, company officials also revealed that the pace of new car introductions will be significantly raised, with at least nine new generation models released by 2019.

To set the ball rolling in this direction so as to be competitive in the global market, the Swedish carmaker will first focus on the traditional segments which are in the mould of the XC family of SUVs, sedans and station wagons; while niche segments would be covered later on.

Giving more insight into this new direction is product strategy chief Lex Kerssemakers said, “We have to focus the brand on car that covers the main segments that represent 60 percent to 80 percent of all luxury sales. There is a limit. You have to pick and choose,” he stated.

The product offensive will be split in two phases, with the bigger models, based just like the XC90 on the new SPA platform, coming in first. The smaller, CMA platform, set to underpin the rest is still under development, with the first model riding it scheduled “in about four years,” as alluded to by Hakan Samuelson, president and chief executive officer of Volvo Cars.

MIKE OCHONMA