Volvo reveals future plans

The uncertainty that surrounds the future of Volvo has been a distraction, admitted Volvo CEO Stephen Odell who nevertheless said that his chief role is to develop a plan to bring back Volvo to a place of “sustainable profitability” that would include, among other things, underscoring design features and fuel economy in its marketing strategies. This is an obvious departure from the traditional Volvo marketing emphasis on safety.

A meeting with a Swedish delegation last Monday during the Detroit Auto Show transpired between Odell, together with Ford CEO Lewis Booth, presumably to discuss the future of the ailing company. Although selling of the Volvo is not out of the question, Ford said, but serious buyers are just not available at this time. Sales dropped by 16.45% from 448,000 units sold in 2007 to only 374,296 in 2008. Volvo is the only brand left in the Premier Automotive Group of Ford, which in the past included such names as Aston Martin, Land Rover, Jaguar and Lincoln.
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mini22 - 1/16/2009 12:14:08 PM

+3 Boost

With styling like this all Volvo needs now is decent sports suspension system for enthusiasts. Further a sports coupe of sports car should be produced. This would enhance Volvo's image of not only producing safe cars but also sporting cars. In fact Volvo could include the concept of accident avoidance by promoting a good handling chassis and suspension system. Volvo could then really take on BMW,Audi and Mercedes.

PPower - 1/16/2009 4:21:03 PM

+2 Boost

Volvo has already been paying attention to styling for quite a few years now. The C30, C70, and S80 have all won awards for design in their respective classes. Fuel economy is OK, but not excellent, and their typical buyers would be prime for diesel and CNG offerings they sell in Europe. As for sporty, it looks likes the R lineup will get a slow rebuilding now with the "R-design" packages to build awareness of the R badge and pave the way for a needed C30-R. I'm guessing the market condition will table that for quite a while though.

MSP6 - 1/16/2009 5:12:15 PM

+1 Boost

They need better positionning for their sedans, they all look the same, they all have the same personality. The s40 should be the entry model, fuel efficient and practical. (The S40 awd t5 costs as much as a 328xi, humm...) The s60 should be the sport sedan and the s80 the luxury saloon. The c70 is overpriced if you compare it to a vw Eos (wich is a good comparable) The C30 is ok, altough not fun enough for what it is intended to be.

I feel that Volvo is basically offering the same car in small, medium and large format.

MSP6 - 1/16/2009 5:15:32 PM

+1 Boost

I forgot to mention that brand identity is a good thing, but volvo seems to be abusing of it. Their cars looks too much the same IMHO.